Okay to stay outside coop/box at night?

maggieandotis

Songster
Apr 30, 2020
84
82
116
San Diego, CA
Hi,

(This is my first time with backyard chickens so I do not have all of the terminology right just yet. My apologies.)

This is a photo of my (5) 8 week old chickens and (1) 8 week old rooster. My sweet husband who finds a way to improve their "condominium" on a regular basis, added a new roosting bar at the top of outside patio area. They all love it and when the sun goes down at night, all (6) climb up there instead of going into the house (coop?).

My old neighbor had BYCs that I used to take care of when they were out of town and my job at night was to close the coop/house doors after they had all gone in for the night to keep them safe from predators. Because of this, I have been forcing my chickens to go inside but they all seem to want to stay on that perch. Is it okay/safe to let them do so?

When we built our coop my husband put chicken wire down at the base on the outside and attached it to the foundation. The wire forms about a 12" perimeter all around the outside of the coop and is down about a foot and covered with dirt. My husband thought if a predator wanted to get in the coop and started digging, they would hit the chicken wire and not be able to get in. Three out of the four sides he also topped with heavy rocks with the exception of the front of the coop where the front door is (rocks could not go there because we need to open the door).

Lastly, he installed a light right above the door that stays on all night. So, you can see inside the fenced in area at night. The chicks sitting on the roost are visible even though I get the impression they think they are invisible.

Should I let my chicks sleep outside at night or force them to go in. We have a lot of coyotes in our area.

Thank you for your input!
Maggie
Fallbrook, CA
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Since you have hardware cloth up I think they are ok. Is that roost higher than the one in their coop? They tend to go to the highest. good luck and have fun...

Yes! It is the highest rooster in their little setting. How funny! Looks like we need to add a higher one to their coop or take this new one down. I personally will sleep better at night, knowing they are tucked in and they really are definitely not happy with me when I put them in now. Problem solved! Thank you! Another question, when my sweet cockerel gets full sized, will he continue to go in with the hens at night or will he sleep outside in the "yard?"
 
Hi,

(This is my first time with backyard chickens so I do not have all of the terminology right just yet. My apologies.)

This is a photo of my (5) 8 week old chickens and (1) 8 week old rooster. My sweet husband who finds a way to improve their "condominium" on a regular basis, added a new roosting bar at the top of outside patio area. They all love it and when the sun goes down at night, all (6) climb up there instead of going into the house (coop?).

My old neighbor had BYCs that I used to take care of when they were out of town and my job at night was to close the coop/house doors after they had all gone in for the night to keep them safe from predators. Because of this, I have been forcing my chickens to go inside but they all seem to want to stay on that perch. Is it okay/safe to let them do so?

When we built our coop my husband put chicken wire down at the base on the outside and attached it to the foundation. The wire forms about a 12" perimeter all around the outside of the coop and is down about a foot and covered with dirt. My husband thought if a predator wanted to get in the coop and started digging, they would hit the chicken wire and not be able to get in. Three out of the four sides he also topped with heavy rocks with the exception of the front of the coop where the front door is (rocks could not go there because we need to open the door).

Lastly, he installed a light right above the door that stays on all night. So, you can see inside the fenced in area at night. The chicks sitting on the roost are visible even though I get the impression they think they are invisible.

Should I let my chicks sleep outside at night or force them to go in. We have a lot of coyotes in our area.

Thank you for your input!
Maggie
Fallbrook, CA
View attachment 2153564View attachment 2153565
What I see in your photo is stapled on hardware cloth w staples 4" apart. This is definitely NOT secure. I had a raccoon completely rip off 1/2" hardware cloth stapled on. With the chickens in plain view, even touching the mesh, they are tempting bait for predators. If you want them to be safe, put them inside every night until they go on their own.
 
They are fine, my family is from Mexico and all of the chickens go up into the trees or the highest place they can find and sleep there. They can fend off predators if they are in a little bunch, but most predators might not see or get them since they are high up.
 
Plus, the chicken over in Mexico rarely ever get attacked while they are in their safe spot, but if you want them to really be safe, force them into the coop for a couple of nights and then the chickens will realize that is where they must sleep.
 
Yes! It is the highest rooster in their little setting. How funny! Looks like we need to add a higher one to their coop or take this new one down. I personally will sleep better at night, knowing they are tucked in and they really are definitely not happy with me when I put them in now. Problem solved! Thank you! Another question, when my sweet cockerel gets full sized, will he continue to go in with the hens at night or will he sleep outside in the "yard?"
Your rooster will continue to go into the coop at night with the hens 👍
 
What I see in your photo is stapled on hardware cloth w staples 4" apart. This is definitely NOT secure. I had a raccoon completely rip off 1/2" hardware cloth stapled on. With the chickens in plain view, even touching the mesh, they are tempting bait for predators. If you want them to be safe, put them inside every night until they go on their own.

Thank you! Will definitely be doing so!
 

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