Nighttime In or Out?

[churchx3]

My yard is fenced with a 6 ft high wood privacy fence and then the chicks will be inside a "run" that is 6 ft high heavy duty chain link. My question, is making sure they are in the coop at night more for safety or is there another reason? I am thinking by allowing some to stay out at night I could manage having more chicks. New to this so need some explanation...thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know how old your chicks are. If they are young you have certain temperature and draft issues to deal with. I'll assume you know about those and that they are feathered out. Younger chicks are also more at risk from cats, rats, and some weasels than larger chicks. Another reason to let them get some size on them.

A six foot high privacy fence and six foot high chain link fence will not slow down a racoon or possum. They can easily climb over or run along the top of either. Other predators can easily get in too but I'm just using the most obvious. I don't care if you live in the middle of downtown Atlanta, you probably have several predators around, including raccoons and possums. If you do not believe me, pick up your phone and call your local animal control. If you live outside of suburbia, of course you have all kinds of predators around. To me, safety at night is the prime reason to lock them securely in a coop at night.

I don't know how cold it gets in your part of Georgia in winter. Chickens can take cold better than heat, but they can get frostbite if their sleeping place is too drafty on a really cold night. They need a well ventilated yet draft free roost at night on the coldest nights.

Do you have hurricanes that come through? Severe winds and thunderstorms? Chickens can survive quite rough conditions outside if they have a little protection, but in the really rough weather, I'd want mine in a protected area.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Please learn from my mistake. I allowed my young chickens to roost outside the coop for a few weeks. Now I'm still corraling my hen & roo daily to lock them into safety. Keep them in the habit of the safe coop for sleep.

 

[churchx3]

Thanks for the replies! My chicks are currently 8 weeks old and were put out in the coop a little over a week ago. I have kept them in the coop full time because what I have read on BYC indicates that is the way for them to learn where their home is. I do live out in a rural area. I have never seen racoons or possums but I am sure they are there...one reason probably is because I have two large yellow lab females that do guard duty for me...I have always assumed that is why I don't have problems with snakes either...they are constantly running the perimeter. And yes I do know chickens and dogs don't mix! My intent was not to leave the chicks out indefinitely just on those nights where they were less then cooperative about coming back in the coop...from what I read on here it can be difficult at times...I am so excited about my new chick family and am looking forward to watching them grow.

 

[babsbag]

I would put an electric fence around the bottom of your coop. It will give the predator a nice surprise when they try to dig under your fence. I think that a top on the chain link run might be nice as well. IMO

 

[gritsar]

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[Carenm]

On the nights its harder to get them in I just toss a treat in and in they go.

 

[FaereChicken]

It doesn't take too long to lure chickens with anything they like to eat, which is, well, lots of things. Dog training treats are real big at our house