Hello everyone! I was hoping to get feedback from me fellow chicken owners. I am an urban farmer and was wondering about the hen door that goes from the coop to my pen. Does this have to be opened at dawn and closed at dusk everyday? Since warmer weather is coming, I thought it would be nice to leave open sometimes during the night when it gets really hot. Also, I wouldn't have to rush out in the morning and let them prance out! My primary concern is predators if I leave it open, but I'm not sure how much I should be worried about them since I live in the city.
This is what I'm working with...
I currently have 1/4" hardware cloth completely surrounding my pen run, which is 24'x32'. On the sides of the pen, it has 2x4s about every 2-3 feet to provide extra support and strength. On the top of the coop, I have poultry wire doubled up. Do you feel this is secure enough to keep predators out? What are your thoughts on leaving the door open all night? All advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!
This is what I'm working with...
I currently have 1/4" hardware cloth completely surrounding my pen run, which is 24'x32'. On the sides of the pen, it has 2x4s about every 2-3 feet to provide extra support and strength. On the top of the coop, I have poultry wire doubled up. Do you feel this is secure enough to keep predators out? What are your thoughts on leaving the door open all night? All advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!