Closing up the coop at night?

[Folly's place]

Welcome! A safe coop and run makes it easy to leave the coop door open at night, BUT having the birds vulnerable to predators at night is a terrible idea! Body parts and half-dead chickens in the morning is something you'll never forget, and I've been there and done that. Never again!!! Mary

 

[BruceAZ]

new to chickens, I have 4 urban chickens with coop and covered run, while we are not in town ( more out skirts, rural ) I leave my door open 24/7 come winter I may start closing for heat control otherwise I think they enjoy the freedom, as long as you are fine with the off chance your whole flock may disappear, and that's a risk your willing to take. I found my girls are much happier having the door left open, and stops the pecking out of boredom waiting for you in the morning.

my backyard turned into a feeding ground for the local pigeons as well as my chickens

left the run door open 24/7 for about 4-5 weeks now.. it's more convenience this way

 

[Hokum Coco]

Do we need to close up the coop at night? I would rather be safe than sorry. Personally I shut mine up every night.

 

[treefrogging]

That's what I've heard too.......all types of animals could be predators!

 

[treefrogging]

If you close them up in the coop during the night, do you still need to be wary of predators during the day? Can't say I've seen too many of those animals during the daytime, but do they come when you have chickens? I am not sure how predator proof my run is...

 

[aart]

If you close them up in the coop during the night, do you still need to be wary of predators during the day? Can't say I've seen too many of those animals during the daytime, but do they come when you have chickens? I am not sure how predator proof my run is...

Absolutely....one of the worst predators are domestic dogs, and many other 'normally nocturnal' predators will hunt during the day, especially when they have young to feed.

 

[treefrogging]

Thanks for the info!

 

[PingoBags]

Absolutely....one of the worst predators are domestic dogs, and many other 'normally nocturnal' predators will hunt during the day, especially when they have young to feed.

The past 3 springs for about 4-5 weeks, we have had a raccoon show up during the day.
At first I thought it was sick then thought maybe it had young, sure enough, it shows up with 4 young one night.
This year she showed up with only one.

 

[kgb6days]

We have a coop/run that is as predator proof as possible. We also have a fenced in yard and a motion train camera up facing the run/coop. Never seen anything on the camera except me and hubby. All that said, we don't close the coop door at night. We have two newer girls that appear to be sleeping in the run, the rest in the coop.

 

[JackHammer]

My run is as predator proof as possible. Concrete floor but some is cracked and broken. Half inch hardware cloth top and sides. Locks on the doors. Pop door. Is open 24/7. No issues so far.