Food and water inside coop or in the run

[RebelEgger]

I have a hanging feeder inside the coop and a water bucket with nipples in the run. I used to keep a small waterer in the coop but noticed it was leaking so I put a try under it to solve that, then when the temps started to go down I noticed the waterer had condensation on it so I got rid of it completely and just stick to the one in the run. I plan on adding an additional feeder in the run though.

 

[aart]

I keep both feed and water inside coop.
Many reasons it works for me.
-My run is not weather proof.
-ETA: or wild bird proof.
-Better for me topping off feed and water, especially in winter.
-Feed is stored in coop shed.
-Better for power protection for winter heated waterer.
-My waterer is a closed horizontal nipple system, so near nil evaporation or spills/drips.
-I use supplemental lighting early mornings, so they need feed and water way before the sun, and I, rise.
-I have very few rodent issues, I keep traps set all the time, so they are quickly dispatched if they come to visit.

 

[preciouschick]

Sometimes so much info on here that it is impossible to find the exact answer from the great experts here on BYC. My query, New coop 16 X 10 with an attached chain link run 16 X 30. If I place the food and water inside some will inevitably get spilled, bring in rodents? Placing outside in the run cleaner? Sounds like answering my on question, but would love to hear your experience. Thanks, Phil

I have food and water inside and outside. I keep very little food in the inside feeder. it's there just in case they are in side and need it. My inside waterer is a 1 gallon, again just in case. I have the same feeder outside and a 5 gallon waterer with a 16 inch warmer underneath.I have no heat or water heater in the coop itself. I have a small picnic bench that my daughter made for my chickens for snacks. My coop is 4 x 6. with an attached run that is underneath and 6 feet out. plus a 10 x 10 extra run. A tunnel connects the 2 together. They seem very happy. So, its your preference where to keep your food and water. I did have 2 rats that I put out traps for, but they weren't going in the coop or run. They were invading my greenhouse for water. Traps did the trick. Small birds are invading my 10 x 10 run for snack feed. nothing I can do about that.
hope this helps

 

[pennyJo1960]

Sometimes so much info on here that it is impossible to find the exact answer from the great experts here on BYC. My query, New coop 16 X 10 with an attached chain link run 16 X 30. If I place the food and water inside some will inevitably get spilled, bring in rodents? Placing outside in the run cleaner? Sounds like answering my on question, but would love to hear your experience. Thanks, Phil

Hey Phil my vote is inside keep wild birds out they can spread disease

 

[3KillerBs]

I have a very small coop with no room to have the feed and water inside. Instead, they're outside in their own shelter. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-feed-and-water-shelter.1426654/

When I build the permanent setup, I will still have the feed and water outside because:

1. To conserve space in the coop.
2. For ease of refilling.
3. To keep any possible spillage out of the coop bedding.
4. To encourage the chickens to come out of the coop and be active (Should not be a problem for layers but is reputedly critical in the management of Cornish X meat birds).
5. To enable me to monitor their feeding.

However, since the new facility is likely to be of the open air design the distinction between coop and run will be blurred. However, the feed and water will still be at the far end from the roosting area.

Also, I should note that I'm in a mild climate where multiple days of below freezing temperatures are rare and snowfall are rare.

 

[Erba]

I have the water in the coop and the feed in the run. Mainly because it would freeze if I had it in the run. I have a waterer that can't be heated and anyway, I don't even have any electricity there, baring an extension cord but I only used that when I had less chickens. Now I have enough to stop it freezing in the coop. So for me it works better that way.

 

[svh]

I have 2 feeders, and 2 waterers inside my 20' x 8' coop, and 1 waterer in the outside run. No food outside to discourage wild birds.

 

[spartacus_63]

Do what works best for you. I have done both. Food attracts pests, to include raccoons & opposum if it is inside or outside. Water is wet. Been raising chickens in the same coop for nearly 15 years & have never had serious issues from having water in the coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

Do what works best for you. I have done both. Food attracts pests, to include raccoons & opposum if it is inside or outside. Water is wet. Been raising chickens in the same coop for nearly 15 years & have never had serious issues from having water in the coop.

This is yet another reason to have a generous-sized coop. Before DH built that shelter for the food and water my ladies kept knocking their water over when squabbling over space.

 

[PhilSanchez]

Is your run covered? I put food under a roof for weather-proofing.

Covered with chicken wire and 10 million leaves.