keep pop door open......

[caspernc]

or lock them up every night? My run is just as secure as the coop. The run is 12x16 and I don't always get up early. Do they need to learn where to lay before I try this,?Oh what to do.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

I keep mine open during the day. I shut it every night.

Belt, suspenders, duct tape, staple gun.

 

[Papa Rooster]

same

 

[Patricia Jane]

Mine are out during the day and locked in at night. I don't let them out till 8am and they seem fine with it. I'm certainly not getting up at the crack of dawn to let them out. I have no electricity to the coop as I have to let them out.

 

[mcf3kids]

I am debating the same thing! My coop and run are equally secure and the lazy side of me thinks why not keep it open?? I am curious what the seasoned chicken owners will have to say. I can't see why its a bad thing as long as they are protected - but then again I don't know I am guessing.

 

[patandchickens]

Keep popdoor open, lose chickens someday. 'Sup to you whether the convenience is worth the risk.

It is far, far easier to be convinced your run is 100% predatorproof than to have it actually BE 100% predatorproof. Go browse the 'predators and pests' section of this forum, and you will note the number of people who were just SURE nothing could get into their run at night (and maybe went months or years with good luck) til one morning, big bloody mess.

Just sayin', you gotta understand the risks.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[baldessariclan]

We leave ours open most of the time, since run is as secure as rest of coop. Do close it in winter storm weather, or really big/wet summer thunderstorm stuff. Sometimes also closed when we want to keep them out of the coop portion (cleaning, etc.). Otherwise leave it open for extra ventialtion and so that chickens can get out to food in the morning w/out us having to let them out.

 

[CopperCT]

My coop is closed every night and I check to be sure but I have an auto door which opens when it is light and closes at dark......it works flawlessly and suits the my lazy nature when I want to sleep in.

 

[mcf3kids]

I want an auto door!! Hubby is not on board with that yet but I think in time I can convince him

What one do you have? cost?

 

[elmo]

One of the many benefits of having a coop larger than minimum size is that if you don't go out to open the pop door until a bit after sunup, the chickens will be fine down off the roost and milling about on the floor. I have feed and water there in the coop so they can get a start on their day before I get a start on mine.

I agree with the belt and suspenders, etc. approach. I feel much better with our flock locked inside a solid walled coop at night. And, by the way, early morning is prime raccoon prowling time. Of the raccoons we've seen in our yard, two of them were spotted just at daybreak.