Newbie question

[angieand3rs]

I'm sorry if this is a silly question! We just bought a house and are officially starting plans for my first set of chickens. I plan to get somewhere between 5-8 pullets now, and add chicks next spring, totaling about 12.

Anyway!
We plan to build a diy coop with a covered run, but they will free range during the day when I am home. I want a door to go to the run so they can go in and out as they please, and I can go in for cleaning purposes but can be shut at night. They obviously need a small chicken door going from the coop to the run... But does it need to be shut (locked) at night or can it stay open between the coop and run as long as the run is shut and locked at night?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! You have two issues here; BUILD BIG, as large as you can, and BUILD FT. KNOX, because everyone likes chicken dinners. Your coop need good ventilation, and security. If your run is also super secure, the door between can be left open all the time. If your run is only semi-secure (like my present run) then the birds need to be locked in every evening. It's a trade-off between size/ security/ and budget. Mary

 

[angieand3rs]

Got it! Thank you!