food in or out of coop?

[Ahogan]

Hi! I'm NEW to the chicken world... have three hens ready to move outside. I bought the ratproof treadle feeder that I plan on attaching to the exterior of the coop (that's inside the run). The waterer I plan on buying is the 5 lb. Little Giant, that I'm also planning on keeping outside inside the run. I wasn't planning on putting food and water inside the coop, but wanted to confirm this. (I've read they don't need these things at night?) I'm wondering what time they should go in their coop at night and when they need to be let out in the morning... I'm not a 5/6:00 am riser, so am a little worried about this one. Would love any feedback you have! Do I need to at least have a wall mounted waterer inside the coop for the morning? I've seen one by Little Giant that could work.

 

[3KillerBs]

For my in-town chickens I had a predator-hardened run that was half roofed over and kept the feed and water in that section of the run. The chickens had 24/7 access to the run and I only closed the pop door in emergencies.

The little, 4x4 coop was, IMO, too small to have the feed and water inside and I didn't want to deal with the potential mess of water in the bedding.

 

[Ahogan]

For my in-town chickens I had a predator-hardened run that was half roofed over and kept the feed and water in that section of the run. The chickens had 24/7 access to the run and I only closed the pop door in emergencies.

The little, 4x4 coop was, IMO, too small to have the feed and water inside and I didn't want to deal with the potential mess of water in the bedding.

Thanks!!

 

[Ahogan]

Mine don’t have 24/7 access yet, so I’m setting my alarm for the morning hoping I’ve predator proofed the run completely, but want to be sure!!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Mine have food and water in their coop, which is larger, and integrated with an attached roofed run, all predator proof. I have feeders and waterers in several places for my larger flock, and don't get up at dawn to let them out anywhere!
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

No they don't eat and drink at night. If you live in a hot climate they do need to be let out at a reasonable hour to drink, if water is outside.

Food/water should be placed where it makes sense for your set up. If your coop is small you really can't have them inside. Keep in mind that dripping water can make for a damp coop, which isn't ideal, or food left out in an unroofed run can get wet, etc.

Chickens obviously don't tell time so they operate by the amount of light available. They should go into the coop for bed time at dusk and they'll wake up at sunrise, however you can let them out later than that.

I have an auto door set for 7:45. Back when I had to manually let them out, they didn't get out until 8:30-9:00 AM.

 

[Ahogan]

Welcome!
Mine have food and water in their coop, which is larger, and integrated with an attached roofed run, all predator proof. I have feeders and waterers in several places for my larger flock, and don't get up at dawn to let them out anywhere!
Mary

Thank you!!

 

[Ahogan]

No they don't eat and drink at night. If you live in a hot climate they do need to be let out at a reasonable hour to drink, if water is outside.

Food/water should be placed where it makes sense for your set up. If your coop is small you really can't have them inside. Keep in mind that dripping water can make for a damp coop, which isn't ideal, or food left out in an unroofed run can get wet, etc.

Chickens obviously don't tell time so they operate by the amount of light available. They should go into the coop for bed time at dusk and they'll wake up at sunrise, however you can let them out later than that.

I have an auto door set for 7:45. Back when I had to manually let them out, they didn't get out until 8:30-9:00 AM.

Super helpful. Thank you!!

 

[amk122284]

Our coop is more than double the size we need and we arent the type to be up at 6 am with the chickens to let them out, I'm also paranoid we will attract critters keeping food outside. So we have food and water in the coop for the 2-3 hours in the morning that they are up before us and another waterer outside so they dont have to go inside everytime they need to hydrate.

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

I always make sure that my animals have access to food and water. Like you I am not a break of dawn type gal. I work the night ahift so my birds dont get let out til I get home. Sometimes after 9am.