Do your put your chickens in at night?

[JustMandy]

Hi. I'm new to chickens. We have 5 week olds chicks that are quickly growing out of the tote in the spare room. This weekend is opperation build a coop.

I always assumed we would have to put the chickens in at night and close the door to the run and let them out in the morning. And that we would keep them in the coop when it's bad weather. Is that necessary? What do you do?

 

[lcw]

Quote:
I let mine out in the morning when-ever I get up,and shut them all in when they go in to coop for the night.

I wouldn't recommend letting them stay outside or leave the door open unless you would like to loose a few chickens if not all.

That's what I do anyway. I'm sure more do it this way but I don't know.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

I somewhat shut my birds in at night. I make sure they're all inside the henhouse and shut their mini bird door, but I don't lock it. This is because my run is nice and secure, and the ducks go ballistic if they can't "let themselves out" (by pushing the door open) in the morning. So far I haven't lost anything to predators (not since building this coop three or four years ago, anyway), but that's partly because of the security of the run, fact that the run is out in the open where there's nowhere to hide, and my dogs keep the property predator-free with their barking even though they're not that big.

 

[newchicksnducks]

I always let mine out in the morning once it's light outside. (I get up for work at 5:30am). I let them in their attached run. I did not have a roof on this run, and during the Christmas holiday time, I lost two to a fox and hawk. I've since put temporary deer netting on top of the run. This will help keep out the hawk at least Once it gets close to dusk, the girls all put themselves to bed in their coop. I just run out and secure the pop door. When I am home, I will let them free range in the 2 1/2 acre yard, leaving the coop door open. Again, at dusk they put themselves to bed, I just have to lock up after them. You will need to keep your young ones enclosed in the coop for a week or so. This will "imprint" their home in their little bird brains.

They should get the idea of going inside when it's time for bed...you might need to encourage them a couple of days, but they'll catch on. I did keep my birds inside this winter (lots of snow in the snowbelt of Ohio), but they didn't want out anyways...my girls are fussy about tramping in snow without boots!!

 

[gritsar]

I let my chickens out to free range each morning, as soon as I get up. They put themselves to bed in the evenings, as soon as it starts getting dark, and I go out and lock them in. Locked in the coop is the only safe place for a chicken at night, IMO.
Tonight I went out just as they were going in. Dink wouldn't let Chloe in the coop. Every time Chloe put a foot on the edge of the pop door, Dink would peck it from the inside. So, I scooped Chloe up, opened the people door, shoo'ed Dink away from the door and found Chloe a nice comfortable spot on the roosts.
Locks on the coop door(s) should be kinda complicated. I once read that if a two year old human child can open it, so can a raccoon. Crafty little boogers, those coons.

 

[Makenziejh]

My chicken coop has two areas to it. It has the upper level which has is where their nesting boxes are and the outside area where I can get in and give them food and water. This gives them a lot of space to roam around outside, but still be safe from any predators. Both levels have a door to them and each night I go out and close both doors. I would suggest you put your chickens up at night unless you want to loose some to coyotes, racoons, etc.

Good luck on building your coop

 

[tinychicky]

i always close mine up nice and tight- we live near the woods and get fishercats, coyotes, owls, foxes, hawks, and lot's of other predetors. it's just the best way to keep your chickens safe! also,

!

 

[Beekissed]

I kind of live in a unique situation....smack dab in the middle of pasture fields and far from the nearest woodline. I also have two dogs sleeping next door to my coop and they patrol the premises 24/7.

Therefore, I keep my pop door open 24/7, 365 unless I need to pen them up for some reason. I free range, so this system works best for me and it's an easy livin' style that I prefer. My chickens always come home to roost.

No losses to nighttime predators yet in all these years!

 

[ubumartin]

I put mine in the coop but leave the coop door open to a secure pen, now that it is not as cold at night. I just started doing this since I am recovering from a broken ankle and I don't get out as early as I used to. The pen is completely enclosed. I have chicken wire on the bottom covered with a layer of hay and dirt and yard waste. The top has plastic lattice with a sheet of plywood for protection from rain that I can remove during the day if it is nice out. The pen door has 3 latches and the coop door has two plus I have a bungy cord to make sure nothing can open the latch. I have never seen any attempts at trying to get in the coop so far. I am sure if something wanted in enough they may find a way but I don't know how they could, but I know to never say never. I lost my first 3 to a fox and now these 3 are kept in a dog kennel with a tarp over it for a couple of hours during the day that I move around the yard but only if I am home and can watch them. I don't want anything to happen to these girls.

 

[sgtmom52]

Quote:
I lock mine up inside the coop every night and let them into the run out every morning ~ even in bad weather. We had lots of snow this year and they would go out under the covered part of the run or stay in the coop ~ their choice. I think that having the option to go out helps to keep them from getting "cabin fever" and picking on each other .