do you HAVE to close them in at night?

[xanaxnation]

thx for all the replies. i think ill fashion a door of some kind to keep them snug inside

 

[joanc]

I close them in not only for predators, but to keep them from being eaten alive by the mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are so thick right now they can practically carry me away.
When the chickens are sleeping is their most vulnerable time. I too sleep better at night when I know they're locked up.
Good luck with your chickies!

 

[thechickenchick]

I agree. I lock mine up every night. However, we had to be gone friday and sat. nights. We ordered Nite Gaurd, left our 2 dogs home and PRAYED! One dog is a monster size love mutt and one is a little yappy thing! We figured the yappy one would annoy any predators and wake up the big one. His bark is scary but thats about it!! I had read about Nite Gaurd on here and mentioned it to my husband. We decided to give it a try. The person who recomended it was right, it is so easy and as far as we can tell really works. I would recomend it myself. If you do find your self in a situation where you can't lock those girls up. We came home to happy healthy chickens, but boy was I nervous. I practically jumped out of the pickup before my hubby came to a stop!! This system is not exspensive either. You can find it on line nitegaurd.com

 

[ZooMummzy]

My run is pretty safe, but I don't trust anything so I always lock mine in for the night. I worry even then that something will get in and start digging under the walls of the coop. My only peace of mind comes from knowing the coop is right under our bedroom deck and I have 5 dogs that bark at absolutely every noise possible.

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

We don't lock our hen house for the adult chickens and now for our chicks which are one and a half months old now. Most will roost on top of the pen. Our dog keeps a close eye open he likes to mark his territoty around the chickens house either by peeing or taking a dump near by so predators will know he is around and hopefully think twice before going after them.