Do you ALWAYS lock your coop at dusk?

[chickensioux]

Every night, without fail. I could only blame myself if something got them....

 

[teach1rusl]

I always shut mine, but it doesn't have a lock on it (sliding auto door). My covered run door is shut as well. Maybe you should consider an auto door is your schedule is off???

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
Same here. I'm a safety freak.

 

[gumpsgirl]

I voted yes and guess what?!?! I've never lost a chicken to a predator attack either. I'm not saying it won't ever happen, but in the two years I've had chickens, I diligently lock all of my coops up (I have 5) and I've never lost a chicken to a predator.

 

[lleighmay]

I always lock mine up before dusk. Because I work strange shifts I actually set an alarm in case I fall asleep before they should be closed in. On the weekends when I work noon to midnight I don't even let them out (thank goodness they have a big coop) because I want to be sure they're in before I have to go to work. I've not had any problems, but since we have every predator known to the eastern US around here I'm not taking any chances!

 

[sonew123]

just like the other posters-we forgot a few times and with each one of those times our babies were brutally murdered-we installed lockes on every coop-never had a problem since

 

[gritsar]

Absolutely, no exceptions. I forgot to one night and I'm still counting my blessings that my chickens weren't harmed.

 

[gryeyes]

Every night, but during the winter, not at dusk. I worked until after dark, so you can bet the first thing I did - still in my work clothes - I would go out and lock the coops' doors. (I have two.) I was so worried something might have happened before I got home!

I'm building a third coop to move everybody into (will use the others as quarantine and/or brooding, adolescent coops) and will install an automatic coop door for it.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

We've got an electronic doorkeeper and it is worth every single penny paid for it. Can't recommend them highly enough.

 

[Redhead Hen]

I never use to lock up my flock. For about 2 years I did not lock up my flock. In those 2 years I did not loose 1 bird. But my flock was found by a raccoon. I lost lots of birds last Spring. I now lock up my flock .... most of the time. Like others, I have gotten side-tracked here with the kids or something and missed locking them up during the winter months. I also did not lock them up when we had 2+ feet of snow in the yard. I need to get back in the habit of locking them up though! I feel better when they are locked up safe in the coop!