[wallacelindsay]

Hi everyone, Just new to keeping chickens, expecting my first lot in a few weeks. Looking at feeders and drinkers and getting very confused! I have a chicken coop and attached run. Do I put the feeder and drinker inside the coop or in the run (assuming they will be locked in the coop at night) also does anyone have any advise on types? very confused! :?

[poultrygeist]

Hi wallacelindsay and welcome.

I know some people place them inside the coop if there's room, but we hang ours beneath our coop.
Unless you have feeders specifically designed for outdoor use, you need to keep them out of the elements, so some sort of cover is needed.

There is no need to provide food and water during the night, providing you don't keep them locked in too late in the morning. Ours, at the moment, are in about 8.30ish and out between 6 and 6.30am.
We have a hanging feeder with built in anti-scratch dividers and a cheap-as-chips plastic drinker (red/white).

What sort of coop do you have ?

Rob

[wallacelindsay]

thanks for that. I have a wooden coop, prob looks like a mini dog kennel with a nest box on the side.

[poultrygeist]

If you've not got room for the feeders in the coop and can't get your coop on legs, I'd be tempted to go for and outdoor feeder and make a bit of a shelter. Maybe a piece of corrugated plastic on legs or with a couple of sides, for when it's raining hard.

I'll move the thread across to the Hen House where you'll hopefully get a better consensus.  

Rob

[wallacelindsay]

thankyou! will look at outdoor feeders and maybe make a shelter in the run rather than getting one with a rain hat cos I think the rain in scotland may defeat the rain hat quite quickly!

[poultrygeist]

Probably very wise !! You might need a bus shelter so it doesn't blow away !  

If you can make a covered run, it helps to keep it dry and stops it smelling bad. Also, might keep the worst of the rain off the feeders too.

Post some photos when you feel ready  

Rob