Do I need to close up my hens at night with the coop / enclosure I have?

[Toddyboy007]

Was just about to ask the same question myself. Thanks for the advice guys - going to leave my pop open while the days are longer here in the UK and then close it when the sun starts getting up at the same time as me

 

[Christabean]

I have the same kit-coop as the OP and a similar set-up, and I used 1' square pavers all along the outside edge fully covering the wire apron, they cost about $1 and are heavy enough to be much better protection than bricks. I consider it very secure and with warm weather have stopped closing the slider door at night. I do close the door to the run, though, because it's open on top. Raccoons could get over my 5-6' fence, and my run is under a fruit tree so it'd be a real pain to cover it, but I think it's very safe during the day.

 

[junebuggena]

The big issue I see with that coop is the very simple barrel latches. Coons can very easily undo them and walk right in.

 

[ChickenChaser9]

If the thought of waking up and seeing dead chickens first thing in the morning bothers you at all.....Close that coop!

Seriously I've awoken to a dead hen and it is the WORST way to start the day. Their lives are in your hands.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree about the latches; way too easy! Also, that wide expanse of hardware cloth needs reinforcement. Consider 2"x4" woven wire fencing over it on the lower four feet. Insurance! There's no such thing as too much predator proofing! I am sorry that someone relocated a raccoon, a very bad and illegal thing to do. Mary

 

[Christabean]

I agree about the latches; way too easy!  Also, that wide expanse of hardware cloth needs reinforcement.  Consider 2"x4" woven wire fencing over it on the lower four feet.  Insurance!  There's no such thing as too much predator proofing!  I am sorry that someone relocated a raccoon, a very bad and illegal thing to do.  Mary

I have the same coop and the latches are spring loaded. Can raccoons still manage those? And have people had them rip through stiff 1/2" hardware cloth? I think I have stupid and lazy suburban raccoons who just waddle around eating cat food and tipping over trash cans, but additional latches can't hurt in case a really smart one comes along.

 

[junebuggena]

If you can open it one handed, it's too simple. Carabiners or padlocks are the only things coons actually have difficulty opening. They can pull off hardware cloth, but it isn't easy for them, and takes them awhile. Most won't put forth that kind of effort, if easier meals are available.

 

[Christabean]

Dang, I dodged a bullet last night!! We got home from a walk just after dark and I closed the coop as usual. This morning my daughter asked me if I'd let the chickens out already, because one was locked in and the other three were out. WHAT?! Apparently they felt so fancy roosting on top of their coop they decided to stay up there overnight. Three of them must have been huddled up on the wire top behind the coop roof and I didn't see them, and was fooled by the noise of the one that went in (lowest on the pecking order) into thinking they were all in the little house. The only other time they've tried to roost on the top of the coop past sunset was when the coop door had accidentally swung shut and they were obviously anxious about it, but I guess it was such a pretty night they wanted fresh air. Funny part is, they are near a motion-activated light and I checked the yard a couple times when it came on due to branches blowing in the wind, and they never peeked out or made a peep! I'm thankful no raccoon realized there was a fairly easy meal set out for them, and now I know to check the run and roof before assuming they're in bed!