Coop door open at night on secure run?

[Gretchen P]

Hi All! I'm a newbie, need some help. We've gone out of our way to make our coop and run secure. Run has steel roof and buried hardware cloth walls. I really want to know how safe it might be to leave our coop door open at night to the run when when we are out of town. We camp a lot, and I feel bad asking someone to chicken sit both morning and night. Thoughts?

 

[ChuckenChasers]

Our chicken run above the coop is covered while the other half is not and we leave our coop door open 24/7. The chickens go in at night and come out in the morning. We went camping one weekend made sure everyone had food and water to last until we got back and managed to still have everyone present and accounted for when we returned.

 

[jennyf]

Is an automatic door an option? They are pricey and we had to save awhile but it was so worth it not worrying about it anymore. I leave food and water in the coop just in case the door malfunctions.

 

[junebuggena]

Unless you are willing to take the risk, shut them in the coop every single night. It only takes one time for a predator to find a weakness in the run for your whole flock to be wiped out.

 

[User395221]

I think it really depends where you live and what marauders might be about. I leave my coop open all the time, but I'm in the suburbs of a city and there are no (or very unlikely to be) foxes or anything capable of breaking into the coop around here.
You need to assess the risk and decide how big it is and whether you want to take it. If you are in a more rural area, I'd get a solar automatic door to shut them up tight, otherwise I'd worry.

 

[Gretchen P]

Is an automatic door an option? They are pricey and we had to save awhile but it was so worth it not worrying about it anymore. I leave food and water in the coop just in case the door malfunctions.

I think I'd need to modify my door. It's really difficult to open. But I like the idea. Do you have one that opens and closes based on time of day, or light sensor?

 

[Gretchen P]

Does anyone recoomend a particular door opener? It doesn't need to be solar, I have electricity.

 

[jennyf]

We have two Brinsea Chicksafe doors. One we've had about 18 months and one just got a few weeks ago. They both work great. Was shipped a defective one and they promptly sent a replacement. They work off 4 AA batteries and can either open/close based on light level or the time you set.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I have the Automatic chicken coop door sold at Fleming Outdoors & made in Lancaster, PA. The advanced model works on a timer or works by putting in your GPS coordinates so it adjusts your opening & closing year round. It runs on electric with battery backup. It is customizable so you can put in 15 minutes after sun up or sun down or any amount of time. It has a second call feature. I have had mine for over 2 years & their customer service is awesome!

 

[Trish1974]

Unless you are willing to take the risk, shut them in the coop every single night. It only takes one time for a predator to find a weakness in the run for your whole flock to be wiped out.

X2! Better safe than sorry.