Leave out or leave in?

[la79al]

We just got back from a few days away from home to realize that our chicken sitter did not let the birds out of their coop this morning. It's mid 80s here and the coop is made of metal so a few of the girls had their mouths open by the time we discovered it. We live in town so we don't have a lot of critters but I'm sure we could get some. Now I'm nervous for the next time we go out of town and I'm wondering how critical it is to lock the girls in at night. They have a run made of 1/2 inch metal fencing but it only goes to ground level and we have nothing buried. The coop, I'm pretty sure, is super safe. I am going to find a new chicken sitter but during the summer I'm almost more worried about them not getting out of the coop. I'm wondering if I'm crazy to just consider leaving the coop door open full time. We also have a 4 foot fence around our yard, wood in the front and back and chainlink on the sides. I have never seen a snake or rat but we did trap a possum last year and we get the occasional stray cat if we don't close the yard gate.

 

[CityslickerHomestead]

Leave explicit instructions for the sitter how important it is to let the chickens in and out every day. (Like life or death!)

If that doesn’t work then quickly fortify your run against diggers by putting hardware cloth in an L shape around the base of the run. Not buried but at least it’s something. Make sure you have a roof to stop cats, if you don’t already.

 

[Chickassan]

I'm a bit paranoid about pet sitters of any kind.
I'd have to set up a camera or recruit someone to go and check behind the sitter.
I have very little faith in people.

 

[Shadrach]

Have the chickens been out at all since you've been away?
I'm like Chickassan regarding this. I don't trust other people with animals I'm ultimately responsible for. If I can't find someone I know is reliable I don't go. It's one of the penalties of having other animals.
Edit. Hello la79al.
Welcome to BYC btw.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens I would consider a automatic door but never leave one open all the time

 

[SurferchickinSB]

We just got back from a few days away from home to realize that our chicken sitter did not let the birds out of their coop this morning. It's mid 80s here and the coop is made of metal so a few of the girls had their mouths open by the time we discovered it. We live in town so we don't have a lot of critters but I'm sure we could get some. Now I'm nervous for the next time we go out of town and I'm wondering how critical it is to lock the girls in at night. They have a run made of 1/2 inch metal fencing but it only goes to ground level and we have nothing buried. The coop, I'm pretty sure, is super safe. I am going to find a new chicken sitter but during the summer I'm almost more worried about them not getting out of the coop. I'm wondering if I'm crazy to just consider leaving the coop door open full time. We also have a 4 foot fence around our yard, wood in the front and back and chainlink on the sides. I have never seen a snake or rat but we did trap a possum last year and we get the occasional stray cat if we don't close the yard gate.

If I was you I would get an automatic chicken door. I have one that opens and lets the chickens out of the coop and it is great not having to get up and outside really early. It is also nice that it closes and shuts them in if you happen to not be at home when it gets dark.

 

[dalasgalas]

They can cruise right over a 4 foot fence. I'd bet on a camera.

 

[Chickassan]

If I was you I would get an automatic chicken door. I have one that opens and lets the chickens out of the coop and it is great not having to get up and outside really early. It is also nice that it closes and shuts them in if you happen to not be at home when it gets dark.

Still need someone to make sure they all made it inside.
Really I know how this is going to sound, i'm aware.
More people than you'd think can't count or just won't.
I'm the sitter for all the nearby neighbors for a reason, paranoid chicken ladies are meticulous.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Still need someone to make sure they all made it inside.
Really I know how this is going to sound, i'm aware.
More people than you'd think can't count or just won't.
I'm the sitter for all the nearby neighbors for a reason, paranoid chicken ladies are meticulous.

Yep, I always count my chickens every night!

 

[PirateGirl]

When I am out of town I tell my chicken/duck sitters they do not have lock the birds in their coops at night. They are still confined to their secure runs. I tell them they only need to make an effort to lock them in their coops in extreme weather. When I am home myself I often lock them in their coops, it helps me sleep at night. I know there is some risk to this, but really if all my animals can get food and water every day I can deal with most everything else when I get home. I have had one terrible sitter, but most can handle it, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats.