Closing up the coop at night?

[stinkyshermy]

You didn't mention a roof on your run, I assume it is covered? My daughter in Portland Or has seen raccoons, possums and skunks in her yard. There have even been coyote sightings. She doesn't have a covered run but does lock her hens in the coop at night. Dogs and even some cats are also threats...

The run is either under the coop, or encircled in hardware cloth.

 

[mclanea]

Our run is secure but I still feel it's best to close the door at night. First person awake opens the pop door and when it gets dark my 13 yo goes out and closes the door.

Our area has cats, raccoons, skunks, and the occasional coyote. So far our camera has only captured cats but I think it's just a matter of time until something bigger notices there's a free meal in our backyard.

 

[RonP]

If your run is as secure as your coop, why bother locking them up?

In my opinion, my run is more secure than my coop, so I don't have a door to lock them in or out.

Only you can evaluate your situation, and accept the consequences should you misjudge.

 

[junkman56]

I have little ones in the brooder right now, when the time comes to introduce them to the coop, I will keep it closed up at night and get up in the morning to open it up. there are to many predator's here where I live, (very rural). being they cannot defend themselves, I have to be there protector. and if I went out some morning and couldn't find a few, or found parts of a few, that would be devastating.so bottom line I will be locking them up at night and open the pop door in the morning.

 

[Folly's place]

My run is very secure, so the coop doors are open all the time. If the run isn't safe for chicks, it's not safe for any of them. Mary