For those that lock chickens in at night

I have a solar charger for our electric fence, cost a bit more but there's no electric close to the coop and 200' of extention cord strung out across the lawn/field/small creek doesn't appeal to us either. I'm not sure if a car battery would be enough to wire around the coop though my grand-dad used to use one on his metal garbage cans to keep the neighbors dog out of it.....Sounds like just putting them on lockdown in the coop for a few days might work out best for you if it's not going to be too crowded.
 
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Isn't there some way you might be able to persuade your husband to open and close the chicken door on those few days?
 
you can make a small secure run. i never lock mine up. i have a small run that is quite secure and a larger one that is only sort of secure. i close the trap between the two at nights or when i am going to be away. i have not lost a hen to a predator yet, and we have plenty. i see raccoon tracks on top of the coop and fox/coyote, skunk, possum tracks on the ground.
 
Quote:
Isn't there some way you might be able to persuade your husband to open and close the chicken door on those few days?

He has unusual sleep patterns (he has chronic back pain and it just kinda depends on when he's in less pain) so he sometimes goes to sleep in the early evening or he may stay up later and sleep until 10am.
 
You need a coop/run, my run is attached, and totally encloses the coop. I just leave the pop up door open, and they go in and out.

However, if you have not been locking them up, and have only lost one. I think that you can't have too many predators. Leave them food and water, and don't worry.

MK
 
My chickens were about 3mos. old when the coop finally arrived and I left them in there for about 3 days and nights without letting them out. This was what many folks had said to do so they know for sure where their home is. Granted, they were not adult chickens and there were only 5 of them in a 5X8 coop but they were just fine. I do not wake up at exactly the same time every morning nor do I always remember to lock their door at the same time every night but they are always there waiting for me with no harm done. Maybe you husband could let them out when it is convenient for him and lock them up at night at his convenience also. I don't think they would care and they would have a little time outside. You could take care of all the water and food before you leave so he would only have the door... hope this helps.
 
for now, if you just keep them locked up tight and secure they will be fine. But maybe start saving for a run where they can go out and in all the time....I have them and it made a world of difference. I would love nothing better than to let them free range, but some ppl. don't take responsibility for their dogs and i have had them come by when I am not here and destroy my chickens..even chased some in a pond one time and they drowned before I got home.
 
Automatic pop doors run off of a battery. It has a light sensor and opens/closes when it gets light or dark. I have no complaints at all.
 

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