Coop Door--Open at night? Or not?

[lothomson]

Hi guys,

I live in a suburban area with my lovely SLW pullets. Every night after sundown,

I usher my chickens into the coop (if they already haven't gone in themselves).

I don't have a chicken run because they have free-range of my large backyard and

of their pin (large enough to fit in a raised garden bed with lots of space to walk

around that).


Anyways, should I keep the door to the coop open at night?

There is a gang of stray cats in my neighborhood and a small family of raccoons and

possums... it makes me nervous to keep it open.

Any thoughts?

 

[SunkenRoadFarms]

Close it. Anyone of those predators can and will destroy your flock.

 

[Percheron chick]

Close it. Anyone of those predators can and will destroy your flock.

absolutely. You are playing with fire. Follow your gut. It's usually right.

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree with the above posters. An open coop at night is inviting all kinds of critters over for chicken buffet.

 

[RonP]

I keep my door open 24/7, only because my run is as secure as my coop.

Most predators come out at night.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

If you don't have a secure run, you MUST have a secure coop.