Do anyone's chickens have access to their predator-proof run at night?

[consdrs]

All you have to do is go to the predator and pest thread and read. you would be shocked at the type of things predators can get through.

Connie

 

[Tonopah Pati]

I started last month leaving the door open, my hutches are inside of the pen, I was worried for fear some critter would get in there, however I have completed all the security steps that I can think of. My kids sleep in the hutches and some times on the roost out side. It gets pretty hot in the desert at night now. I do hose down the run at around 6:00 P.M. it really helps, and they love it. I have had 107 temp. so far and in the 80s at night, it will get hotter so I'm watching this close, so far nothing has tried to get in. I have a large dog that likes to sleep outside at nght, that also helps, He likes to protect his yard, 41/2 acres fenced.

 

[SC_Hugh]

New chicken owner here...I lock up two coop windows and pop door every night. I like to see that all 4 of them are roosting at night and eager to get out in the morning. This confirms to me that they are all behaving normal and healthy.

I keep a 12 lb. feeder and fresh water in the coop...always ready. Every morning, I add some feed and treats to their outside troughs and check on their outside water.

Last Friday, I started letting them out of their run and graze for bugs in the fenced dog run. They loved every minute, but I had to stand or sit by and supervise against daytime intruders. I am building a 4'x6' chicken tractor for them to safely graze and then I won't have to stand guard constantly and they can enjoy more of the yard.

--Hugh

 

[Country4ever]

I thought I had a predator-proof run and was actually considering leaving their pop door open all night so they could get out earlier than I usually let them out. Then a coon got in their run in the evening and killed a couple. Even though we have reinforced the run, there's no way I will leave that door open at night. Coons seem to be one of the worst killers of chickens, and they are nocturnal, and could wipe out everything overnight, while I slept.
Nothing got into my run for 5 years, so I thought it was safe.
So I think it boils down to the level of risk you can live with. We all have such varied situations/environments/, etc., and we can't assume everyone has the same factors as we do, so it really has to be up to you and how safe you think it is to leave it open.
I tend to be a worst-case-scenario person, so I lock them in at night.
Plus.....I'm afraid I'd get lazy if I didn't have to go out there every morning and evening. it keeps me more in touch with them.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I leave the pop doors open as well Our coop is divided into three areas with a people door in the middle. The run is attached and dug down 2 feet into the ground with welded wire. The sides of the coop are also dug down 2 feet. I figure that closing the pop doors wouldnt be any more secure if something was going to dig down 2 feet. It gets way too hot here to close them in.

 

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

So can a raccoon (or other typical predator) rip through hardwire cloth?

or just chicken wire?

 

[ript]

If your run is truly predator proof, there is no issue with leaving them out. If you use substandard materials and flimsy wire, it's only predator deterrent. Predator proof also requires LOCKING mechanisms, not hook and eye latches.

That being said, I leave my chickens out at night in my predator proof bulldozer (pen and run, it's heavier than a 'tractor'

) and i've had scratch marks, muddy paws on the wire/roof/windows/latches, and all my girls are still safe and sound. They prefer to roost in the run if given a choice, even if it's raining or cold out! The only time the pop door gets closed is for cold and cleanings. I free range them in the mornings and evenings when i'm out with them, as I do have lots of hungry predators.

Good luck!

 

[bantamsrus]

I have a 8ft x 8ft predator proof pen attached to my coop. I also let my birds free range during the day (except winter). Come night the birds head toward their pen/coop--some sleep in the coop, some sleep in the roosts in the pen depending on the weather. I do close the door to both the pen and the coop to keep critters out but the birds can move freely between the coop and the pen. This also works out nicely since they get up hours before I do. When I get up I open the coop/pen doors and then let them free range.

 

[thenewbckyrdchicknfrmer]

i dont lock mine up at night, my pen is really pred. proof. lol

 

[Shared Acres]

We used to lock ours up, but we aren't early risers, so we started leaving it open. I do go out there at night and make sure everyone is in the house so they learn where to go!

We have a big run made of 2x4s and chicken wire on the inside and outside. We figured the double layer would help deter raccoon hands and most animals.

Our OLD coop (dog kennel) a possum got in and ate a show winning rooster.

We watch for possums now and shoot them if we see them. Don't have foxes or wolves really.

Here's a couple of pics of ours: