should i lock the coop at night

[Redhead Hen]

Quote:
I agree. I had chickens for 4 years before I had 1/2 my flock taken overnight. That is 4 years with out loosing a bird to a predator. I felt they were safe. I was wrong. I now lock them up.

 

[ben_r]

I just latched mine, because I figured I was in the city and there were no large predators around. Trust me, lock it now. Imagine going out one morning into a very quiet, very messy run...

 

[scooter147]

If you want to keep them any length of time.

 

[CityChook]

Honestly, they sleep all night. The only reason for leaving the door open is because you don't want to go out in the morning and unlock the door. And that takes all of about 30 seconds. Whenever you get out there is fine. No big deal. I have buried hardware wire and a roofed run and I NEVER leave my door unlocked. Better safe than sorry.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Another good point.

They are sleeping at night, or supposed to be, and have no need of the door being open to the run. Better some ticked off chickens if you get down there a little late to let them out in the morning, then dead chickens.

 

[bigoakhunter]

Quote:
Another good point.

They are sleeping at night, or supposed to be, and have no need of the door being open to the run. Better some ticked off chickens if you get down there a little late to let them out in the morning, then dead chickens.

Agree, lock them down! Otherwise eventually you will get an unwanted surprise.

 

[mike67909]

i don't lock mine up. just close the door from the run to the yard

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I wouldn't leave the door open unless the run was covered on the sides and top with sturdy 1/2" hardware cloth. I also like using wood screws to attach it, as nails or staples can be pulled out. We usually use washers with the screws.

Make sure there are no gaps anywhere and that the framing is sturdy. We use screws for that, too. Make sure the door can't flex and be pried open at the corners. I would also lock it.

It's good you thought about preventing digging. You can either bury wire or use a wire apron around the bottom, to prevent digging. Don't forget to make sure they can't dig in under the door. Sometimes people forget that area. I think the playhouse coop plans call for wire for the floor of the run area, but I wouldn't do that unless I covered it in something like sand and also gave them a nice, big, deep dusting box.

Our current run is ok for daytime use, but not secured for at night. We have an automatic door for the chickens, with a light sensor. For the chicken tractor we built as grow out housing, we went with hardware cloth.

 

[TeriNick50]

It sounds like your set up is secure.
We leave the pop door open to the covered run ... chickens may be sleeping at night but I'm no rooster in the morning!
The only predator problem IN the pen has been a mouse who didn't last long.
The girls pecked it to death.
Predators outside the pen ... hawks, owl and a raccoon who keeps crapping on the straw bales around the pen.

 

[poultryfan73]

I agree always lock your birds up. For 3 years my birds never roosted in their pen. This winter i broke the habit and can sleep much better at night knowing they are locked up. Plus if you lock your hens up and dont let them out till later your eggs will always be in the coop.... then you dont gotta go scavenger hunting!