Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

Does anyone follow an exact schedule for their chickens? As stupid as it sounds, I was informed by my neighbor that I am stupid for thinking a light outside the coop MIGHT be keeping predators away. Since the neighbor is an "expert" that has lost about fifteen birds so far this year to predators, I think I just might be right. Either way, I was further educated that I don't keep a strict enough schedule, and that my flock has been seen outside late at night when I am not home (seriously doubt it. I can't get my birds to move off the roost for anything once the sun starts to set!). For the two or three times I have come home late, I am being admonished. THEY have a schedule that is such a time on these days, such a time on these days, and another time on the weekends. The birds AND predators KNOW what day it is, and when the door will be open or shut, when they have to go to bed, and when they will be fed on that day.
Bottom line, a neighbor said that they watch my comings and goings, when I do what, and how I do it, and they do not approve. I have spent the evening in the dark to throw them off.
Someone please tell me I am doing a good job!
barnie.gif
Even if I am not.
hide.gif
 
Does anyone follow an exact schedule for their chickens? As stupid as it sounds, I was informed by my neighbor that I am stupid for thinking a light outside the coop MIGHT be keeping predators away. Since the neighbor is an "expert" that has lost about fifteen birds so far this year to predators, I think I just might be right. Either way, I was further educated that I don't keep a strict enough schedule, and that my flock has been seen outside late at night when I am not home (seriously doubt it. I can't get my birds to move off the roost for anything once the sun starts to set!). For the two or three times I have come home late, I am being admonished. THEY have a schedule that is such a time on these days, such a time on these days, and another time on the weekends. The birds AND predators KNOW what day it is, and when the door will be open or shut, when they have to go to bed, and when they will be fed on that day.
Bottom line, a neighbor said that they watch my comings and goings, when I do what, and how I do it, and they do not approve. I have spent the evening in the dark to throw them off.
Someone please tell me I am doing a good job!
barnie.gif
Even if I am not.
hide.gif

You are doing a good job. *** to your neighbor. Its none of there beeswax. Sounds like the amount of time they have spent watching you, and your chickens, you could call them a stalker!
 
Does anyone follow an exact schedule for their chickens? As stupid as it sounds, I was informed by my neighbor that I am stupid for thinking a light outside the coop MIGHT be keeping predators away. Since the neighbor is an "expert" that has lost about fifteen birds so far this year to predators, I think I just might be right. Either way, I was further educated that I don't keep a strict enough schedule, and that my flock has been seen outside late at night when I am not home (seriously doubt it. I can't get my birds to move off the roost for anything once the sun starts to set!). For the two or three times I have come home late, I am being admonished. THEY have a schedule that is such a time on these days, such a time on these days, and another time on the weekends. The birds AND predators KNOW what day it is, and when the door will be open or shut, when they have to go to bed, and when they will be fed on that day.
Bottom line, a neighbor said that they watch my comings and goings, when I do what, and how I do it, and they do not approve. I have spent the evening in the dark to throw them off.
Someone please tell me I am doing a good job!
barnie.gif
Even if I am not.
hide.gif
is your " expert" kidding you. i have never seen a chicken out partying late at night. the chickens go to roost at sunset. being if it is the coop , pen or a tree they are early to bed early to rise creatures. also if they are out running around they find plenty of food. look if you mis the feeding time by an hour or 2 so what no big deal. however with that said make sure they have water. the day i see a chicken wearing a watch is the day i will buy one.
is your flock healthy? if yes then that is all you need to do.
the lighting well i never keep one on at night. thats is just me. people keep lights on to keep the birds egg production up.
 
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Does anyone follow an exact schedule for their chickens? As stupid as it sounds, I was informed by my neighbor that I am stupid for thinking a light outside the coop MIGHT be keeping predators away. Since the neighbor is an "expert" that has lost about fifteen birds so far this year to predators, I think I just might be right. Either way, I was further educated that I don't keep a strict enough schedule, and that my flock has been seen outside late at night when I am not home (seriously doubt it. I can't get my birds to move off the roost for anything once the sun starts to set!). For the two or three times I have come home late, I am being admonished. THEY have a schedule that is such a time on these days, such a time on these days, and another time on the weekends. The birds AND predators KNOW what day it is, and when the door will be open or shut, when they have to go to bed, and when they will be fed on that day.
Bottom line, a neighbor said that they watch my comings and goings, when I do what, and how I do it, and they do not approve. I have spent the evening in the dark to throw them off.
Someone please tell me I am doing a good job!
barnie.gif
Even if I am not.
hide.gif

Sounds like you neighbor needs to get a life....

You are doing a fine job!! These are YOUR chickens.
 
thank you for insulation info, does straw hold more heat then wood shavings? i have 8 chickens, 4 barred rocks and 4 ameruacanas. our coop is 8 x 8 and have trees and a small pond around it.
Don't know about holding more heat, it's just free for me, we grow wheat so the barn is always full of straw, hubby puts up a corner of the barn in straw before he sells the rest.....I do need to go in with a pitchfork every so often and keep it turned, wet straw really stinks, but as long as I do not let any wet spots sit it has no smell...(I sometimes cheat and throw scratch on top the straw, the birds then turn it for me )
 

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