who puts/doesn't put food and water in the coop?

[Vicky2479]

I have a 2 water drinker things in the run and just throw them their grain on the floor every day, my little girl loves to do this job, I also throw any scraps on the floor to. Nothing in the coop as it is open day and night and I don't want the rodents in there. I don't have a feeder full of food as it just gets eaten by the pigeons and sparrows. ( my run is fenced, but not enclosed because I don't have much of a problem with predators where I live)

 

[joan1708]

I have a 2 water drinker things in the run and just throw them their grain on the floor every day, my little girl loves to do this job, I also throw any scraps on the floor to. Nothing in the coop as it is open day and night and I don't want the rodents in there. I don't have a feeder full of food as it just gets eaten by the pigeons and sparrows. ( my run is fenced, but not enclosed because I don't have much of a problem with predators where I live)

how long have you had chickens?

 

[Vicky2479]

About 6 months

 

[The Lazy L]

Feed and water in the coop until they were 3 weeks old.

At a 3 weeks old they were allowed into the secured coop (1/2" wire fabric). Feed and water in the coop and run.

When they were a month old I removed the feed and water from the coop. They only use the coop to sleep.

 

[FreedomLover]

Automatic watering system & feed dish are both in their run.

They have access pretty much any time their awake, since the door is automated as well!

 

[JackE]

I keep the food in the coop. I don't want to set out a free buffet to attract any wild birds, and/or rodents that may be around. Water is also kept in the coop for the most part, but I put out an extra water fount for the summer months.
Jack

 

[horseshowmomnv]

I keep the food inside the coop, I also do not want to attract the wild birds. I have water inside and water outside. Since this is our first year having chickens it is all subject to change.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

I leave their water in the run, but I put the feed inside our house at night. I just feel they are safer from the racoons and black bears and then mice can't poop in their food dish either........
I also feed them healthy treats, (fruits & vegetables), during the day.......~Beulah

I have a resident chipmunk - Marvin - that runs around inside the protected run and all around my girls. I keep their food outside, but I guarantee if it were inside, Marvin would be in there too. Unless you close the door during the day, anything could get in there.

 

[Life is Good!]

We're using a PVC feeder which is in the coop, as is one waterer. With our wild weather in greater Chicagoland, I wanted the food to stay dry and not mold. The chickens typically eat from it early early am and before bedtime (dinner!). Since I don't let our rooster out at the crack of dawn, as he would prefer, I wanted them to have water no matter what and feed too.

I do have additional waterers out in the run, mostly so they'll continue to forage everywhere for it. They do drink from the one furtherest from the coop, but the one 1/2 way is rarely used. Treats go in the run as that's where my chair is to be with them!

 

[ejctm]

This is so interesting!

There is no right or wrong I think, but really useful to see how people do things differently and for certain reasons. We don't have any bears here in the English countryside, for example!

We do have rodents and wild birds that help themselves, so that is something to think about. Although I don't think putting food in the coop would make any dfference during the day, as they are quite bold. We also have a lot of really wet weather and muddy feet traipsing in and out of the coop all day would mess it up pretty quickly and then I would have more cleaning out to do. Ducks are so much muckier than chickens! Especially where there is water.

Currently, my birds (webbed and toed) only use the coop for nighttime sleeping and for egg-laying. Other than that, they prefer to be outside foraging all day in rain, shine or snow.I even built a little outside shelter for them during some really thick snow last winter and they did not use it. Waist deep in snow and eating it!