Necessary to close door?

[TeriNick50]

Our coop is securely attached to an enclosed pen.
We live out on 5 acres ... 3 acres are fenced.
The only predator problem we've had is hawks.
The pop door to the coop stays open unless temps drop below 15º - which seems like a lot this winter.
The pen door can only be opened by human hands.
When the girls are free ranging, we keep it propped open with a block so the wind (or anything else) won't close it because the hens like to go in and out of the pen during the day. At night they put themselves to bed, we take a head count and lock the pen door.

 

[chickenwhisperer]

So, basically the main reason to shut the coop door is to prevent predators from entering the coop.

Im sorry, but if a chicken wants to sit in the rain, so be it.

If I have problems with chickens being ousted because of pecking order, I have a tractor that I know is dog-proof where it/they can live.


I personally dont have to worry about "wild" animal predators, because there arent any, and I already know my JTR can put a whuppin on a coon . . .

I have a mixed flock of some pretty and "unaverage" birds, not just ordinary layers, I definately would not like to lose any to any predator.
I pplan on going to great lengths to make sure I do not have to worry about closing the coop door.

I can totally see how it would be a necessity in a more rural area, especially if its just a coop with no secure run.


Me myself, its easier for me to make a secure run so I dont have to worry about it.
Like I said, I like easy.
Auto-waters, large accessible feeders, accessible nestboxes, the less I HAVE to do- the more I WILL do, because then Ill enjoy it.
If it becomes a chore, it starts to suck.

I was really just wondering about this because I was looking at the self-closing doors, and wondering what would bring me to feel the need to spend that kinda money for something like that . . .

 

[BarredBuff]

Quote:
I close mine every night due to the fact that we have raccoons and other vermin. It also might be drafty on them if you dont shut it.

 

[adkchickmama]

No matter where you live there are bound to be predators! If you don't want to be tied down to letting your chickens in and out everyday then an automatic door would seem the safest option. I have not seen a pen yet that is 100% predator proof.

I prefer to go out twice a day as it gives me time with my chickens (I got them for a hobby) and I can see if there is anything going on that needs taking care of , injuries, illness etc. In fact I enjoy that time when I get home from work , change my clothes and spend a little time feeding and talking to them. It's very satisfying when they see me and come running across the yard. I get to pet and chat with them, a nice time to unwind after a crazy day with people! Mine free range during the day and put themselves to bed, once inside I shut their pop door, (which is a wood house door cut down to their size) nice and thick, I padlock their door and padlock the people door. Not taking any chances with my chooks. Anyone here knows they are cheap enough to replace but once you get attached to them and have hand raised them it is not easy to replace them in your heart.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
No offense meant, but there are wild predators EVERYwhere, even if you have not personally seen them... raccoons in particular are fairly ubiquitous, and a dog will not be of any use the one time that the dog doesn't notice the raccoon or is elsewhere. Just something to consider.

I was really just wondering about this because I was looking at the self-closing doors, and wondering what would bring me to feel the need to spend that kinda money for something like that . . .

If you browse the "Predators and Pests" section of the BYC forum you will discover a significant number of threads with titles like "Something ate all my chickens last night!" coming from people who were SURE their runs were predatorproof and/or SURE they had no important predators around. It is wayyyyy easier to *think* your run is totally safe than to actually MAKE it totally safe.

So, that is why a lot of us lock the popdoor at dusk. Disinclination to clean up piles of bloody feathers and have to raise a new flock

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[CityChook]

I am in the city and was *amazed* at how many critters came out of the woodwork when I added chickens to my backyard. I guess everyone likes a good chicken dinner. My run in extremely secure and yet I lock up every night. Yes, I know there are folks out there who don't want the hassle - all I can say is expect to lose a few, and potentially your entire flock. And once a pred finds your flock, they won't relent. They'll be back -- with all their friends. If losing your investment of time/money and starting over doesn't make your stomach hurt, then by all means, go for it. Just do it with full disclosure. Preds are hungry and determined, especially when they have pups to feed. They can surprise you.

 

[Keri78]

I have two "tractors" with attached nesting boxes...I don't lock the chickens in the nesting boxes every night....they seem pretty secure...although nothing is impossible if a racoon was hungry enough I guess. I've heard a few people actually attach a wire floor to their runs and then just through dirt or hay or whatever on top of the wire floor this way you KNOW that nothing is going to dig under your run and get in.(GREAT IDEA..I haven't done it yet...maybe this spring) My free range flock that lives in the barn DOES get locked up in the barn every night(by that I mean I close the barn door)..if not I would be sure to loose some or all of them! Most of mine like the rain...hate the snow...and once they establish a pecking order they all get along just fine(with the exception of my two banty roos that would like to kill each other)

Hope this was helpful! Keri

 

[teach1rusl]

I do close my pop door every night (well...I have an auto. door right now). However, I built my run securely so that if I HAD to for some reason (like I went out of town for a few days and couldn't find someone to come over early and late), I could leave the door open. I would feel about 90% secure for a night or two, less if longer.
I will tell you, my pop door is a fairly standard size...about 11w x 12h", and my 90 lb male golden retriever managed to squeeze through it to reach a plate of leftovers I'd put in there (specifically to keep away from him, because I had the run door open so the girls could come out into the yard. Now, my propery is fenced, plus I (normally) have a secure run, plus I shut them in at night. But it was scary realizing just how easily a predator who had intent could get to my chickens if I didn't have all those things available.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

My coop has 2 pop holes. One that has an automatic door to that goes to a huge 40x80 run. The other to a 10x10 dog kennel with a secured top. They have access to the 10x10 at anytime they want. It was really great to have before I got the automatic door--they could be kind of "out" without being completely out.

I would toss treats into the secure run. That way I didn't have to worry about any left overs being treats being snacks for raccoons, possums or skunks.

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Thankyou everybody for your insights!
My question has definately been answered.