Remembering to close the coop up at night!

[Gallinaceous]

Now that it's brighter a little later when I get home from work I've been giving my chickens a little free range time at night. They put themselves to bed when it gets dark and I tuck them in, say good night, and lock em all up safe and sound...but one of these days I'm going to totally forget. It's ALMOST happened a couple of times.

If I forget and some thing bad happens to my girls I'll just die. How do you all remember to close up your coop at night? Any slick tricks you seasoned chicken keepers have to share?

 

[Scott H]

Automatic door? Pullet Shut makes one that can be timed or a optional light sensor.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It has to become routine or set an alarm on your cell phone.
I've trapped out most of the vermin and have been lucky lately when they don't get locked till late but I know my luck will run out.
I have 5 flocks so it is a process.

 

[Gallinaceous]

Automatic door? Pullet Shut makes one that can be timed or a optional light sensor.

Pullet Shut! Funny name! I'll check it out.

 

[Gallinaceous]

It has to become routine or set an alarm on your cell phone.
I've trapped out most of the vermin and have been lucky lately when they don't get locked till late but I know my luck will run out.
I have 5 flocks so it is a process.

Alarm on the cell phone is a good idea. I'll definitely have to try that. My coop is very vermin proof but not if I don't close the door!

 

[youngchooklover]

Normally I forget once every fortnight

but no foxes at all have come near. On hot days they sleep outside. They go to sleep on the broody box and on some rocks. We open all the windows and doors leaving the fly seen open for our dog (Jack Russell ) to smell a fox and he barks so we run out with a torch and scare it away. Here's a tip: foxes hate humans so get a sweaty shirt and hang it up in the coop and the fox will smell it and not go near the coop.

.

 

[roostersandhens]

Write a sticky note and put in on your fridge. Then you wont forget. That is what I do so I dont forgetto give my chiks a hard boiled egg.
Good Luck!

 

[roostersandhens]

Normally I forget once every fortnight

but no foxes at all have come near. On hot days they sleep outside. They go to sleep on the broody box and on some rocks. We open all the windows and doors leaving the fly seen open for our dog (Jack Russell ) to smell a fox and he barks so we run out with a torch and scare it away. Here's a tip: foxes hate humans so get a sweaty shirt and hang it up in the coop and the fox will smell it and not go near the coop.

.

The shirt thing is a good idea. You should still try to close the coop door.

 

[Gallinaceous]

Write a sticky note and put in on your fridge. Then you wont forget. That is what I do so I dont forgetto give my chiks a hard boiled egg.
Good Luck!

That's a good idea too. Thanks!