Once inside the coop...

[Veronica G]

Hello, I've read about keeping them inside the coop at night, but my question is, do I shut them in upstairs in the inside part at night? Like to where they cannot come down the ramp to the floor. Do I do this every night until I come out to feed them in the am?
Thank you!
Veronica

 

[Welshies]

Can we see a picture of your coop so we know what you mean?

 

[Veronica G]

Can we see a picture of your coop so we know what you mean?

Yes. Give me a few min.

 

[Veronica G]

Here is my picture. Thank you!
Do I close the door up at the top of the ramp?

 

[Welshies]

Ah, okay!!
Do they free range during the day?
If your coop's run area has hardware cloth, you could leave the ramp at night. It's really personal preference.

 

[Veronica G]

Ah, okay!!
Do they free range during the day?
If your coop's run area has hardware cloth, you could leave the ramp at night. It's really personal preference.

Yes, they do. And yes, there is hardware cloth at the bottom of the run, as you can see in the photo.
Okay so the ramp door up top can be open at night? Do not completely close them in?

 

[Hamiam]

Here is my picture. Thank you!
Do I close the door up at the top of the ramp?

Welcome to BYC. Where are you located? How many chickens do you have? Some of these coops are made with hardware type wire but aren't very predator proof. A lot of people end up having to modify for ventilation & or beef them up to be more predator proof.

 

[Hamiam]

I can see at least 8 small birds in your picture. How old are they? Also, how much coop (inside house) Sq Ft area & how big is the run area. That's important too.

 

[staceyj]

Hi !
I would have to differ on some opinions expressed above.
Do you see the door at the top of your run? It is most definitely there for a reason. It is part of the overall design of that model. It should be closed AND locked at night.
EVERY NIGHT.
If you can’t run out in the morning to tend to them or lock them up at night, purchase an automatic coop door opener before you lose your flock.

I have seen that actual coop. They sell it at my local TSC store.
The hardware cloth is attached with shallow staples and the wood of the frame is soft, something like a Chinese balsa.
A determined predator such as a raccoon would have absolutely no trouble at all breaking in to to your run at night and killing all of your birds.

Please don’t believe anyone who says sure go ahead and leave it open.


ETA welcome to byc. It’s where all us chicken people flock to!

 

[apryl29]

I only close the pop door (where the chickens enter the run) when it's cold at night. Since we went below freezing at night in November I've been closing the door once they go in at night and open it back up in the morning. Once warmer weather gets here I'll be leaving it open all the time again. We haven't had any predator issues so for me that works the best.