My chickens get locked up for thier protection everynight. I missed closing the banties up one night last summer, and lost 9 baby chicks to a skunk. I have too many wild animals that would love a chicken dinner, not to lock them up.
Pretty much the same here. I have an automatic door but I like to keep it open on warm nights for more ventilation. When I see it may be cold I set the door to close on its own at about 8PM
We don't, our 10x10x6 kennel has been predator proofed so they come and go as they please. I just knew I couldn't be tied to opening and closing everyday plus we go away sometimes. Whatever works!!
My first post here, and something I can answer! Where I live, I have to lock up our girls. Neighborhood restrictions do not allow for chickens, so the process for me getting the birds included a privacy fence for the back yard, and on top of that (not on top of the fence
), I built a 16x32 fenced enclosure with a coop inside. I even fenced the top of the enclosure to ensure no issues. With eight birds, I "think" this is a big enough area for them to play in. I would love to let them out, but living under the rules of a home owners association make this a bit difficult. I should have bought my 3 acres elsewhere five years ago...but who knew that the kids would join a 4H Club and want chickens. I only hope they don't want a pig...horse...or who knows what else.