Safety for our chickens at night

[jennerb]

I built an 8 x 12 coop using a wooden a-frame swing set. It is enclosed using the green square 48" fencing wire (8ft total in height) with hardware cloth on top of that. The coop and nest boxes are on one end. The roost is in the top section of the a-frame, enclosed with a window and another opening at the ladder entry. My question is: do I need to close up the small space where they will roost at night if the rest of the run and shelter is completely closed off? We live in the city-fenced yard and currently have raccoons, opossums, and skunks that we have seen at night close by.

 

[TheReadyBoys]

Well, if the run is closed, I would say no. I just close the run and leave the door connecting the coop and run open, as nothing can get into the run. The chickens will stay roosted all night, by the way.

 

[raizin]

is the window covered? how big is it? I stapled woven wire over my window so I could keep it open during the summer. The raccoons will go through a regular screen. Did you put any wire on the floor? or bury some wire on the outside so the predators cannot dig under the run. if you did that you are fairly safe. You are never 100% safe. Some predator will eventually figure out a way to get in. good luck.

 

[jennerb]

I have brick around the entire exterior. I'm not completely opposed to the wired floor although I would prefer my hens have access for scratching in the sand in dust baths and looking for bugs. I have chicken wire on the window now. I'm planning to change that to the hardware cloth instead. And, adding a hinged wooden window that can be opened or locked. I get my chicks tomorrow and as this is my first rodeo with these little ones, just trying to do it right the first time around! Thank y'all for the help and advice.