Chicken tractor - do I need to open/close the coop at night

[From the North]

We have built "chicken tractor" which consists of a small, floorless, portable coop and portable run. It is two pieces so that we can move it more easily. Anyways, we have built it with a chicken door between the two which we can open/close. My question is, do we need to close them up in the coop at night, or can we just leave it for them to put themselves away at night? Thanks

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Depends on how many predators and what types are in your area. I have fox, coons, and skunks around me so I lock everybody up at night. I'm not taking a chance on having a predator dig their way in and decimate my flock.

 

[From the North]

Well, the thing is, the coop is only marginally more predator-proof than the run. It's all floorless so any determined predator could dig into it. Will a skunk kill and eat a full grown chicken? The chicken tractor will be within earshot of the house and in an area lit with a dusk-til-dawn light.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

What kind of wire did you use for the run? If it was something other than 1/2" hardware cloth, then I would lock them up at night.

 

[From the North]

It is chicken wire BUT before everyone crucifies me, this is a temporary set-up while our proper coop & run is built. Spring is late by a month here (we still have snow on the ground in some places!) and we had completely different plans. At this point, though, we just need to get the chickens the heck outta my house! I will close them up at night in the coop.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Yes, skunks will kill and eat a full grown Standard size chicken. I lost 2 seven pound Black Sex Link hens to a darn skunk. They don't kill them quick either, there were feathers and "other stuff" littering the run in a path to their entrance hole.

If its only chicken wire, I would definitely lock them up at night.

For my layers and meat chickens runs, I have a portable 165ft electric net fence.

For my breeder coop, I have a fully enclosed run out of welded wire fence with hardware cloth around the bottom. The run was built on part of my packed stone driveway so no would-be predator can dig into the run.

 

[From the North]

Thanks for all the replies. I had no idea skunks went after such large prey! Last night was the first night outside for my chicks, and they all seemed quite happy. I did close them up for the night. I don't think they have figured out the roosts yet, though. They seem fine this morning, but the temps are a bit wild here right now -- went up to 80F yesterday afternoon and dropped to 36F overnight.