food and water in the outside coop?

[patandchickens]

It depends very greatly on the details of your situation. Space available, climate (how cold in winter?), rat/sparrow/squirrel population, etc.

There is no universal right or wrong answer, it's a matter of what suits your individual circumstances best.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Buff-Island-Australorp]

Quote:
Well said Pat.....I built a new gravity feeder that holds about a third of a 50# bag of feed and it has worked flawlesly. I mounted it in the corner of my run that is as far away from the elements as possible. My entire run is covered, however, the blowing rain still gets the inside wet. I put a lid accross the trough portion and attached it with 2 very small hinges. This way, I can put it down during a rainy situation. (AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT'S POURING RAIN RIGHT NOW, AND I FORGOT TO LOWER THE LID TO COVER THE FOOD TROUGH)
Oh well....lesson learned, and my chickens won't die!!
The whole reason why my feeder is in the run is due to lack of space in the coop. (4X8)
I have a small metal gravity feeder in the coop, mounted on the wall, and I still use the small water container in the coop that was used when I brought them home as chicks. In the run is where the main supply is though.

 

[Farmer_Dan]

Quote:
Note on this. I free range my hens and feed them in a darker part of the coop. It's hard for them to see and I think it encourages them to go outside and find bugs. In the winter, the light is on in the coop and it's right next tot he feed so they have no trouble finding food inside when it's too cold and there isn't much outside for them to eat anyway. Also, it keeps them up a little later and helps them keep laying through the winter.