Do they have to go into the coop at night?

[Sunnymommy]

We finally finished our coop/run and moved our 6.5 week old chicks outside! Yay, no more stinky porch. The coop is inside a large enclosed run. They don't go into the coop at night. They settle on a couple tree branch roosts in the run. Last night I moved them inside the coop and shut the little door. Tonight they looked so comfy I didn't want to bother them. Is there a reason they need to go into the coop if their run is secure?

 

[Squeak61]

It's not nessecary for them to go in the coop at night. However, it generally is the best choice. It is much safer if the chickens are locked in their coop, as it is one more obstacle for predators. Also, being in the coop helps them keep warm on cooler nights. Ultimately, it's up to you

 

[barred2rock]

If they're high in a tree and predators can't get access they're probably ok. But personally I wouldn't chance it, too many predators out at night. I just watched a video of a fox getting into a run via a tree and falling through the net they had above the run. Then the fox got trapped inside.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What is the run enclosed with? What protection against digging predators is in place?

 

[Sunnymommy]

The coop is plywood with 1/2" hardware cloth. The run is 1/2" hardware cloth up to 5 feet and then 1x2" the top 3 feet. The chickens can't get up above the 5 feet in the run. We don't have the digging prevention part down yet. So I will go put them in tonight. But, say we have that in place. Is it good then?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Is the run covered or open top?

 

[Sunnymommy]

Also, are they going to learn to go in to the coop themselves? It's ok having to pick them each up and put them in now, but I don't want to have to do that for full grown chickens every night!

 

[Sunnymommy]

Is the run covered or open top?

It is all roofed. Same over the coop and run with the wire stuff all the way to the roof with no gaps.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

young birds raised without a broody hen or a flock of other birds drying have anyone thump rollout in learning the routine of going to roost inside. In that situation the keeper fools that role. A few repetitions of moving them in as dusk comes on and shutting the coop door so they learn to stay in does thetrick.
That being said, once you feel it is secure as noted with what you still want to finish above it's really up to you. thinking ahead, though, there may be times you will want them inside, so forming the habit now will help with that.

 

[lazy gardener]

A weasel can get through any opening you could push a quarter through. He will enjoy ripping their heads off. If they are roosting near the edges, a coon will reach through that 1 x 2 and eat them through the wire.