Do you lock your chicks in coop at night or leave in the run

I would probably have a different take on this if I lived in the woods, and in your situation I would definitely lock 'em up. BUT: I was having a problem with one of my 4 hens getting pecked so I started leaving the pop door open at night. My reasoning was that they definitely get up before I do and they'd be less likely to get bored and get in each others' feathers if they could go outside when they wanted to. I should mention that "outside" is a fenced-in run for them. I did a bunch of things at once so I can't say that THAT change is what cured the pecking, but she is doing better now and her tail feathers are growing back.

But in your neighborhood and without a reason not to, I'd lock up at night.
 
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I've heard that when they are too cramped whether lack of space or not enough roosts they tend to do that. Maybe?? Just tossing that out there. If not the case then just do as my wife does and ignore me.
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jeremy
 
Thanks to all of you. That's what I thought too. They have really gotten in the groove and go right in the coop when I come out. Does anyone know how much sunlight they need to produce a good number of eggs?

I just wonder>>when it gets dark later in the summer around 9 ish here will they get enought sunlight. I have read if they don't they will not produce.
 
Teresa, I let mine be in synch with natural/normal rhythyms of daylight for the time of year that it is. They will lay less in winter (less light), thus allowing their bodies to rest (it is a lot of work to make an egg) which with any luck at all makes them healthier (and probably more reliably sound layers) at the longer light times of the year. My number 1 goal is their health and providing as long a quality life as possible. For others using a lot of artificial light it may be egg production which can mean quicker burnout (aka death). You have to decide what you want for them.
JJ
 
If the chickens can get through the door so can a coon or a possum or a cat or a snake or a weasel, or any other predator.

Lock them up at night, unless you're planning on have a chicken buffet for the local wildlife.
 
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Ditto. Besides, they are chickens. Unlike my teenagers, my chickens actually sleep at night. They don't want to stay up & goof off!
 
I leave mine open all the time. I know everyone closes theirs up and I used to. But I am glad now that I didn't have it closed about 3 weeks ago when a fire broke out in the coop and the chickens could get out. I would have lost all of mine then.

You are safer if you close yours in a fire is just a freak thing. What works for one doesn't always work for someone else. I have a Red Bone Coon Hound right in front of my coop and she barks at anything.
 

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