Do I need to close the coop door at night?

[Jx2inNC]

I don't know that I've closed the coop door more than 1 night since the chickens have occupied it...
Been too hot to close them up in there. Plus, good luck to something trying to get into the pen to begin with.
I like the door opening as a means for ventilation as well, but our coop door isn't but about 12" wide x 15" tall or so.

 

[Dora'smom]

Yes, close it. I operate on an "out of sight, out of mind" basis. If predators stroll through, they will smell chickens everywhere, but if they don't actually see them, the likelihood is that they will move on. It's just better protection for your birds.

 

[HerbsAndSpice]

Glad I found this thread! Was debating whether to go close the door. (No longer a debate!)

 

[hlhutchinson]

Quote:

AMEN!! I don't have one, but I am tired of going out and getting spooked by the yucky earwigs hanging out all over the pen!! I hate going through the door of the pen, with the thought of the nasty things dropping on me!!

Not sure how you coop door works but we have our set up with a pulley system so I can open and close from outside

 

[chickenlady12]

I never close the coop door unless it's crazy windy. I've had my chickens four years and nothing has broken in to eat them. But I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. A fox, raccoon and possum have been spotted at dawn at different times sniffing around, but I got a Nite Guard and haven't had any around since.

 

[RESQME49]

All these critters getting in, does any have an anti dig skirt around the coop? I put PVC coated fencing ( 1x2 ) around the perimeter, 18" out and stapled to the coop base. We leave our coop door open and shut the door to the run.

 

[annaBsChick]

In the winter, I would to keep them warm as you want to reduce any drafts and provide insulation in the coop to let it do its job. In the summer, if the run is 100% predator proof them you could leave it open.

 

[Sublight]

My husband and I have been faithfully opening and closing the chicken coop door every night. Their coop door is in their run so it would be very difficult for something to get to the door. Is it necessary that we continue to do this? Or is it ok to leave it open because of it being surrounded by the run? An automatic door is looking better and better!

If the run is predator PROOF then you are fine. Most are not. It takes a very well built run to avoid all predators. Either skirting at the bottom of the fence, or a concerete footing dug so nothing can dig in. The run would have to be covered on top. preferably with hardware cloth.
Unless you built your run like FT. Knox then you need to close the coop. We did not, and we lost a few chickens.

 

[mike48851]

Yes! I had 5 hens and at about 14 weeks old I left the coop AND the run door open like an idiot and ended up having one of my isa browns dragged off in the night. Lock it up! You’ll regret it if you don’t and something happens. When it’s really hot I just make sure all my ventilation is wide open and I have a little fan in the coop for some air circulation

 

[Folly's place]

If you can make at least a small run space predator proof, the coop door is fine left open. Otherwise, close it up every night.
I don't have a automatic door, because never do I want to lock a predator inside the coop at night! It is best to actually check on everyone, every night, and make sure the coop hasn't been invaded.
Mary