Hi, Im in Apollo and just lost 5 more chickens.

[Goober1201]

ya, Ive had bricks in front of the door but hey are always moved.

 

[am farmer]

Any tracks that can be seen where the bricks had been move

 

[Goober1201]

no, but i have my dog out there tonight. I feel bad cuz hes an indoor dog but I had to do it cause I know he will protect them. I will be going to the store to get more locks. And I'm gonna put down flour so I can see some tracks.

 

[am farmer]

Did leaving him out help

 

[Goober1201]

It did, now he barked all night and ate half of the tree and was a very unhappy pup, BUT nothing happened to the girls. I have been leaving the pen locked at night and the coop door open. I locked it better. But this way I figured they had more of a chance to fly around and get away.

 

[nnbreeder]

At night birds will go into an almost trance-like state which makes them an easy target for predators. Having a bird fly in the dark can also cause nearly as much injury as having a predator get ahold of them.

Could you make a bar type latch that will secure the door better? Should be fairly easy to make from 2x4s and they can usually be had from pallets or people that are doing remodels near you.

Don't know what the proper name for a latch like that is but it's like was used on the old cabins and such before the modern locks.

 

[Goober1201]

I know what your talking about and that is a great idea. So do you think I should keep them locked up in the coop every night? I will do it, they just seemed so happ Ive been leaving the coop door open to the pen..lol. I try to make my girls happy.

 

[leadwolf1]

Leaving the door open will only make it easier for the predator to get in. What kind of openings, besides the door, are there into the coop? What kind of damage is being done to the chickens?

 

[nnbreeder]

We lock ours up every night. If we didn't the Coyotes and Owls would be a lot fatter then they already are.

 

[am farmer]

Same got to keep locked up cause you never know what out there looking for easy super