Locking chickens out of the coop all day?

[Chicabee19]

Is there anyone who locks the coop so that their chickens have to stay outside all day?

I imagine this would require outdoor nesting boxes and good places for them to run to and hide if necessary.

 

[justusnak]

Why would you want to lock them out!? Only time I do is when I am doing a thorough cleaning. Then its only for a few hours...not all day.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, I see to reason to keep them locked out since their coop is to be their "safe" place to lay eggs, eat, and so on.

 

[cjeanean]

I used to lock my meaties out unless it was a rainy day. The only reason I did that was because of how freakin messy they were....and their food and water had to stay out there with them.

 

[Chicabee19]

I assumed it was a given they would have food and clean water.

 

[cjeanean]

so why do you want to lock them out??? are they making a mess???

 

[mahsmaj]

I do... I have nine 6 week old chicks in their coop along with three 6 week old white pekin ducklings... and sometimes the big ones peck at the babies so I lock the older chickens out of the coop during the day, and put them back in at night. They do just fine and have plenty of open barns to get into. And I let them lay wherever they want because I like going eggs hunting every evening!!! Its sooo much fun!!!

 

[spook]

I would never have thought about keeping them out. That is the hub of "their" world. If you lock them out, then why would they come in there at night? You are giving them the message they are not welcome all day....

Edited for the simple words of ....I have more to do in my day then hunt for eggs when they should be raised to lay in one spot (my opinion only)- at the time you allow them to lay eggs everywhere you are exposing them to preditors at an extremely vulnerable time in their life. If you was having a baby, wouldn't you rather have it in a hospital or home where your safe, instead of in the dog house...

 

[Chicabee19]

mahsmaj said it ...

To keep a few babies safe in the coop during warm days when they are not inside in a brooder.

 

[mahsmaj]

I have to say the make more mess than the big ones in the coop... This is the first and last time I am keeping them in the coop! I will make a big brooder for next years hatches!!!And I agree with you Spook. The ysould lay in the nest boxes and I dont really have time for hunting for eggs... I really should be doingn other things... and there are only 2 people in my house so no need for many eggs...

edited to say: I had to make this post bold so it sticks out!

P.S. My chickens outside have shelter that they are always in anyways (an open barn) and fresh water (in a rubber pan thing) and fresh food (in a feeder... duh!)