Locking up the "Girls"

[zazouse]

Can you lock them up before you go?
if not why not put a radio in your coop on a talk station it takes preditors that come around a while to get use to new things so it may work for you at your place.

 

[seminolewind]

When I have that problem, I leave mine in the pen for the day, and then I offer treats inside the coop, then close the door.

I also got an auto door but haven't put it up yet.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
x2

I left my pop door open all night several times when we were getting heat indexes of 115+ this summer (secure, roofed run), just to get a tiny bit more air through there. I feel strongly that your girls will be fine. Make sure they're secure in the run, and shut them inside when you get home. If it makes you feel better, put some kind of light out there that evening (even one of those $3 solar lights). IMO having lights around helps deter predators.

 

[ALVIEMAN]

I THINK THEY SHOULD BE FINE. I ALSO HAVE A PRETTY TIGHT RUN, NEVER LOCK THEM IN THE COOP. NORMALLY THEY JUST SLEEP ON A ROOST IN THE RUN, EVEN WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. THE COOP IS PRETTY MUCH JUST A PLACE TO LAY FOR THEM. HOWEVER, I JUST LIGHTED THE COOP LAST NIGHT, SO I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE IF THEY SPEND MORE TIME THERE. LOL... GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER YOU DECIDE.

 

[3 NH reds]

Glad I made a run for ours but we are in the middle of the woods and have had coyote near by but a shotgun blasting took care of that. I have s solar electric fence and so far my dogs will not go within 20 yards of the run and my wife heard a loud yelp one night but no idea who it was. I got it once by accident

and I will never cross the hot wire and the poultry netting again

 

[harveyhorses]

I stressed about it quite a lot at first, my shift is from noonthirty to nine, so I get home between 9:30 and 10 every night. I check the fence and top every weekend. If it is secure they should be fine. I don't have a fence that anything can reach in, and the electric on top of that pretty much keeps everything at bay.
We did have a skunk get in, but after hours of searching for tunnels we figured out he came in while the girls were free ranging (ooops, but no harm was done)
Have you done the 'If I were a coon how would I get in, etc.?

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Thanks everyone, I guess I am just worrying too much. They do have a secure pen with an enclosed top.
We used a strong welded wire which I have seen in a lot of the pictures of pens that other BYCers made.

I would be upset if anything happened to them but so far we have had nothing come get in their pen or try to.

It is just that this is the first time that I have not been able to put them up at dusk. I have always been here
to lock them up but I guess sometimes life happens.

Thanks Again,

 

[harveyhorses]

You will be nervous, but take a deeeep breath. They will be fine.
(says she who is nervous EVERY night when I pull in the driveway, but every night there they are, safe and sound, saying get that flashlight out of my eyes!)
Good luck!

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Quote:
That is cute, thanks, I am sure that they will be fine. I just got worried since this is the first time that I
will not be there at dusk to tuck them in.

Thanks