Now I have to LOCK the coop and run...

[SouthernLady]

That is so sad. I really hate it for you.

 

[Fredster]

As the economy has worsened, we've had more and more people stop by to ask if we'd sell chickens. I debated padlocking the coop, and my decision was made when two men stopped by and asked how many chickens we had, all the while craning and trying to get a good look out at the chicken yard (it takes up the back two acres of our property).

Friday, a couple of Great Pyr youngsters will be moving in with the chickens, as guards.

 

[mudhen]

Fredster , Yikes! Hope those Great Pyrs do a good job for you!

 

[Fredster]

Quote:
They're mostly for our hawk problem, but I suspect they'll be of use in deterring two-legged predators, too.

 

[orcasislandchickens]

Combination lock here, the kind you can set to your own combination and reset at will. Oh and a german shepherd. I felt bad that I had to go to such lengths to protect chickens, for heaven's sake, but once you give up and just go ahead and protect them it isn't such a big deal and the peace of mind is worth it.

I refuse to spend another minute worying about a problem I can solve.

 

[mamaKate]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. I've been in that situation. Just having to constantly be on guard makes you feel a little bit invaded. The com lock is a good idea. I'm a notorious key loser,too. I put my shed key on the strap of a decent sized electric green tape measure. Then I lost the tape in some mulch while building a planter. lol

 

[jbowyer01]

I understand how you feel about the key issue. I have mine on a D-ring. Not only is the run locked but theres a padlock on the coop as well. I'm not extremley worried about 4 legged predators but I am about 2 legged ones. I am unfortunately unable to trust one set of neighbors (they moved in next door the year after we purchased our home).

 

[michelle1017]

We padlock the run and the coop, no particular reason except for peace of mind. We keep the keys right inside the back door of the garage and I just grab them off the nail, unlock and put them right back. (otherwise I would be losing them too) It takes a while to get used to it, can't count how many times I went out the door (passed the keys), chickens waiting, to realize it was locked!

 

[justusnak]

We too have resorted to locking everything. Too many people come out here looking to " buy chickens" yeah,,,,ok...I dont trust them. We have 8 ft chain link around the perimiter of the runs....and a good lock( i hope) on the door to the coop. Now, If I could only remember every time...to grab the darned key! Our coop is several hundred feet from the house...and when its cold,rainy,or snowing...and you get all the way out there without the key...yeah, thats frustrateing!!

 

[silkiechicken]

Best of luck. We have lots of transients too. It's the youth that I worry about in our area though. Padlocks all the way.