Access to outside 24/7 good idea?

[Nicole01]

Dh is just about finished building the coop and run. Our coop is 12x4 inside the garage and 15x5x5 for the run outside for our 5 chicks. We are adding another 10 feet to the length next year for more room to make it 25x5.

The question is... Is it okay to let the chickens have 24/7 access to outside? He would cut a hole in the door where they could run in an out for the summer from the coop to the chicken run. The coop outside is very secure with sturdy wire and has double wire on the bottom. Nothing is getting in or going out.lol. Or should we just leave the door the way it is and not cut it?

 

[teach1rusl]

Well, the safest thing is to always shut them inside at night. But of course many don't do that, some with losses, some not. It's certainly more convenient for the person involved, so you'd need to weigh risks against convenience. If it's a convenience thing, you might consider one of the automated doors that opens itself each morning, and closes at night. We have one and love it.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
The thing is, letting chickens have 24/7 access to the outside means the outside also has 24/7 access to the chickens. (particularly relevant because most predators, and the worst food-stealing rodents, are primarily nocturnal).

I know you say nothing can get into your run. A very large percentage of people are convinced that nothing can get into their runs... right up to the morning that they come back into the house and post to the Predators and Pests section of this forum a thread titled something like "Oh no, something ate all my Chickens last night!".

Seriously. It is far, far easier to BELIEVE your run is 100% predatorproof than to have it actually BE 100% predatorproof (and stay that way as time goes by).

For sure it is riskier to leave the popdoor open overnight. As long as you understand this, you can make the decision based on all the other factors in your head... I don't think there is one universally-right answer, everyone's situation and feelings are different.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Nicole01]

We just want what's best for the chicks and what makes them happiest. The run will be fully secure, even the top by strong wire and chicken wire over the strong wire at the bottom and top. We don't want any racoons or opossums getting at the chickens either. It was hubby's idea and I wasn't thrilled with it in the first place. I do agree it's best to keep them at night also. I needed to hear your opinions. Thank you.

 

[baldessariclan]

If your run is totally secure, you can leave the pop door to the coop open all the time, if you like. We have a similar setup, and really only close the pop door in very cold/windy winter storm weather (to eliminate drafts -- its a very small coop), or when trying to keep birds out/in while working in run or coop portion. It's also nice not having to get up early every morning to let them out and/or messing w/ complication of rigging/wiring up/fixing an automatic door opener.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
The thing is, letting chickens have 24/7 access to the outside means the outside also has 24/7 access to the chickens. (particularly relevant because most predators, and the worst food-stealing rodents, are primarily nocturnal).

I know you say nothing can get into your run. A very large percentage of people are convinced that nothing can get into their runs... right up to the morning that they come back into the house and post to the Predators and Pests section of this forum a thread titled something like "Oh no, something ate all my Chickens last night!".

Seriously. It is far, far easier to BELIEVE your run is 100% predatorproof than to have it actually BE 100% predatorproof (and stay that way as time goes by).

For sure it is riskier to leave the popdoor open overnight. As long as you understand this, you can make the decision based on all the other factors in your head... I don't think there is one universally-right answer, everyone's situation and feelings are different.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

Well said!

 

[Melinda35]

If I did not lock my chickens up every night I would miss the stampede in the morning when I go let them out. It is hilarious.

 

[ams4776]

I've let mine have their own access 24-7. But then as a mom of 2 young children there is no promise that they wont hold me back from getting out early enough. So far so good but i will be adding a few extras onto the run b4 summer to try and help with protection

 

[QualityPolish]

I don't let my chickens have access to the outside at night. Why? Well that means free chicken drumsticks to any predator willing to walk through a door. Imagine yourself at an ice cream shop and they said first 20 people to walk through this door can have free ice cream. (Suppose you like ice cream) You'd walk through that door, correct? If it's that easy for you then think about the fox how easy it will be for him. Yes, you can say your run is 100% predator proof but, predators are cunning if you give them the chance. I hate taking that risk of hoping my chickens will be there tomorrow morning so I personally recommend locking them up.

 

[Kaitie09]

Our's have 24hr access. We secured our run with welded wire burying about a foot in the ground and welded wire on all sides. I will say that we do not have any large predators, only racoons and possums. (have lived here for 20 years and have never once seen a fox or anything else.) We have an 8x6 shed for our cats that is about 20 ft from the coop and run, and I think the free cat food tends to deter them away from something that would take more time and energy. We have never lost a chicken to any predator other than our own dogs (hen escaped from the run when they were out)