early to bed

[skep2]

I am considering keeping a small flock [ 3-4 ] of chickens and of course want to do everything "just right" for them to be safe and healthy -- I would definately lock them up in a coop enclosed by a covered run at night -- my problem is that I go to bed very early in the evening, often when there is still 2-3 hrs. daylight left -- can I lock my girls up that early?

 

[theoldchick]

Sure! You can herd your gals up anytime you want.

Or you can herd your gals into a covered pen attached to your coop and utilize the convenience of an automatic door. You can program the door to open and close at dawn and dusk, so you won't have to miss your sleep.

 

[chicmom]

Not sure if you're free ranging at all, but if they're locked in the coop with the attached run, they will go into the coop on their own when it starts getting dark. As long as your chicken run is very secure, they should be fine.

As little chicks, when they go out to the coop, you might have to put them into the coop at night for about a week to ten days. They will eventually learn to go inside on their own. If you buy adult birds (pullets are what we call the young hen), then they might already know to go into the coop at night.

Good luck and I hope you get your chickens,
Sharon