Coop help

[lwgosik98]

I'm new to raising chickens I have a coop with an Avery attached to it when I put the chicks out in it for good do I leave the door leading out to the Avery open 24/7 or close it at night ? Also I have two windows in the coop should I leave them open 24/7 or just durning the day?

edited by staff

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

This is all a matter of personal choice - you can leave the coop open 24/7 or you can close it from dusk to dawn. The advantage of closing it is that you have an added level of security between your birds and nocturnal predators, the disadvantage is you have to commit to being there to open close the door every day.

 

[rosinsk1772]

If I have a fully enclosed pen around the entrance to my coop, and have dug down 8" below ground with a fence is there still a chance an animal would get in the coop?

 

[lwgosik98]

Thanks my pen is enclosed with chicken wire is that safe enough in your opion ?

 

[rosinsk1772]

I liked the idea of digging underground 6-8" for added security

 

[countrygirl86]

Chicken wire alone is not very strong. Certain predators can break through it. Hardware cloth is much stronger and recommended by most here. It is more expensive though. I am still building my coop but opted to used hardware cloth for the coop windows and vents and chicken wire for the run. I will reinforce the bottom few feet of the run with chain link fence, going underground 8"-12" and put an apron around the run.