Do I Need To Lock My Girls Up At Night??

[debid]

What's your run made out of? I can tell you that my chain-link kennel is very secure for larger predators (skunk or bigger) but mink are a risk here at night and they only need a quarter-sized hole to get in. I can also tell you that I see physical evidence that predators have attempted to get in -- bent wires in places. So, unless your run is made of hardware cloth, you should start training them to sleep indoors and shut the door or it's only a matter of time.

 

[1muttsfan]

If they get too cold, they will move inside. You can encourage them to roost inside by locking them in for a few days.

 

[QualityPolish]

Well.. I would suggest it just incase you get a sneaky fox.

 

[toysmom]

I feel safer with mine in their coop. I lock them in at night. They have a 10 x 20 run to play in during the day, plus they free range. I did let them free range everyday, but a hawk got one of my silkies last week, so now they only get to free range when someone is outside with them. I want my chickens to be as safe as I can possibly have them at night because they can not see in the dark, so in the coop they go.