Necessary to close door?

[chickenwhisperer]

The coop I am building will have a closable door of course, but it will also be attached securely to the run.
The run will be fully enclosed and definatly dog-proof, and if my jack russell terrier cant get in, aint nobody gettin in . . .

Does the door to the henhouse NEED to be closed every night, and opened every morning?

Why is it that some folks are so worried about this subject, my guess could only be that they have just a coop with free-range chickens and no enclosed run, so predators could get in?

 

[cjeanean]

The question is, are there any predators that could go through your enclosed run? I don't risk it, if there's even one part of the run that doesn't hold up to the nimble fingers of a raccoon etc my chickens are all gonna be dead. I would vote for keeping the door shut overnight....

Although it would be much more convenient to just leave it open.

 

[Matt A NC]

If you have chicken wire or netting anywhere you need to close up at night.

If you don't have the sides going down at least 6 inches into the ground or out in a 6 inch skirt, then you need to close up at night.

If there is any hole larger then 2 inches, well you get the hint.

Matt

 

[Brody's Broodello]

Believe it or not, some birds are just stupid and will sit out in the cold rain, or bad weather. Then there are some who get in a tiff with their roomates and get booted out, so they will sit out in the weather. So that is why you might want to put a door on it.

 

[Imp]

I have a secure run. Nothing larger than a rat can get into the run or coop at all. Don't have a pop door, just a pop hole.

Imp

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Quote:
Do you have weasels? Some can fit in a hole the size of a quarter.

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Do you have weasels? Some can fit in a hole the size of a quarter.

No weasels, not really any predators that like chicken- of course now saying that, I'll get overrun. They free range all day from 7am till dark, even if it is in the dark, with no supervision. I'm incredibly fortunate.

Imp

And I should add to the OP that I am not recommending this to anyone. Predation is a very real threat.

 

[chickenwhisperer]

I live in the cityish part of the county . . .

I seen a skunk here, once . . .

I think my only predator would be like I said, my JTR.

I know how to keep him out . . .


I will be the first person to admit that I am way too lazy and forgetful to have to open and close that door 2x a day . . .
I like things easy . . .

Jack will go into a hole, but I never seen him try to dig anything out.
He is definately a killer!

 

[redrocketrooster]

Quote:
The door can be open often but try to remember during stormy or cold nights, put them inside and close it.
I'ts too hot here for me to really close them in but I will do it when they need warmth or are too stupid to get out of the rain.

Do it for their safety really!

 

[consdrs]

This a humorous quote from a fellow BYC'R
"only lock up the ones you want to keep..." yep I lockem up.

Easy for me to say though I have a auto door opener. (instructions on my page)