Teenagers!! Lazy or Correct re shutting coop door nightly

[amiachicknorwat]

We have to leave for a few days, leaving a 17 yr old in care of the chickens. Every evening at dusk, after all the birds have retreated into the coop I shut and barricade their coop door. Then every morning I get up early and let them out into the run. The teen now suddenly claims it's unnecessary to shut their flap door at night. That the chances of a predator are too slim to bother (not his wording, but his tone carried that sentiment). So I thought I'd check it out with more experienced flock managers like yourselves. The run does have a good perimeter fence, the height to keep deer out of gardens (from which that fence was re-purposed), but for one short 15ft section. I dunno, maybe the kid is right, but then he didn't make the investment, just eats the eggs. ? & Thanks, Nick

 

[sourland]

If the teenager can not be depended upon to do the job, hire someone. Predators are constantly casing our coops and one mistake can result in an entire flock being killed.

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree with Sourland. Especially if your run doesn't have welded wire or some other covering. I don't know where you live, but here a raccoon would likely be in that coop the first night. Mink will also scale a fence, and fox can climb over a lower fence. Hire someone willing to do the job, and quit feeding the kid your eggs.

 

[amiachicknorwat]

Hire someone & hire someone!? I'm not rich. The kid should be doing chores at home, both to motivate to get out into the world and to develop a "work ethic". Work towards positive common ends is natural. Maintaining the home is the actual root meaning of the word 'economy'. Hopefully I can con (ask) a nearby friend to oversee & talk some sense...into. I dont like the sound of that. A more tactful tack I will take

 

[sourland]

Hire someone & hire someone!? I'm not rich. The kid should be doing chores at home, both to motivate to get out into the world and to develop a "work ethic". Work towards positive common ends is natural. Maintaining the home is the actual root meaning of the word 'economy'. Hopefully I can con (ask) a nearby friend to oversee & talk some sense...into. I dont like the sound of that. A more tactful tack I will take

As a survivor of two teenagers, I never managed 'tactful'. It comes much easier with my 5 grand children.

 

[bobbi-j]

I survived 3 teenage sons. Didn't realize this was your kid you were talking about. This situation here would be handled somewhat like this - "I am leaving for x number of days. You will do this chore for me, and this is how you do it. If you do not do it, and my chickens are killed, it will not go well for you." (Fortunately, they never made me figure out what horrible thing would have happened had they not followed directions.) I gave them my expectations, and they met them. I would usually add, "This is why I feed you!"

Of course, your kid is not my kid, and you know better how to handle him.

 

[crazytupper]

As I like to say better safe then sorry I would definitely lock up the chickens at night because the predotors will come around at night! Plus you do not want to come home from vaccation and not see your amazing chickens because your teen didnt want to lock the coop! Anyways hopes this helps! Have a great vaccation!

 

[amiachicknorwat]

I suggested he read all the comments here. he wouldn't, tho relented and will take care of the chickens as requested as well as irrigate as needed -- tho not wastefully. We have soaker hoses and sprinklers that use a 3rd less and work under low pressure. Haven't made it to drip tape yet. Thanks all. You emboldened me, as needed, also cuz it is not my kid. I do wish he'd read more, in general too.

 

[Ciqala]

My teen daughter locks up both flocks and gives them fresh water, if it's frozen, and counts heads once it starts getting to that time of the year where it's dark before I get home from work. She's not thrilled about it, but when I asked her to do it I told her I'd give her $5 a week. Afterall, they're my birds and passion not her's and while a dollar a day sounds like nothing, that's $20 a month in her pocket for doing next to nothing.

 

[aart]

I survived 3 teenage sons. Didn't realize this was your kid you were talking about. This situation here would be handled somewhat like this - "I am leaving for x number of days. You will do this chore for me, and this is how you do it. If you do not do it, and my chickens are killed, it will not go well for you." (Fortunately, they never made me figure out what horrible thing would have happened had they not followed directions.) I gave them my expectations, and they met them. I would usually add, "This is why I feed you!"

Of course, your kid is not my kid, and you know better how to handle him.

Ditto Dat^^^