To Coop or Not to Coop

[BrookeK]

We have a large coop for our 8 hens (6×7) 8 ft tall. They are allowed to free range. My concern is what to do when we are out of town for 3 or 4 days. These girls do not roost until almost dark and my petsitter can't come at night to close them up. Is it OK to keep them in the coop that long...day and night?

Brooke

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. It’s a far from ideal situation, since the space in the coop is not adequate. Using treats to lure them into the coop may be of help to your pet sitter

 

[sourland]

Hello, Brooke, and welcome to BYC. Have you considered a secure predator proofed pen ? The problem is that when uncooped they are vulnerable to predation with no one there to protect them.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
If you can't find someone to secure them each night you'll need to build a sure run for them. The only alternatives are to lock them up and hope they don't kill each other or leave them unsecured at night and hope something else doesn't kill them.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!! I agree with all of the above. Build a secure run attached to the coop.

 

[featherhead007]

Hi and welcome to BYC. It’s a far from ideal situation, since the space in the coop is not adequate. Using treats to lure them into the coop may be of help to your pet sitter

Just be sure the treats are for the birds, not the sitter.

 

[featherhead007]

 

[drumstick diva]

Agree with Dobie Lover

 

[BrookeK]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!! I agree with all of the above. Build a secure run attached to the coop.

So if they are in the secure outdoor pen, I guess we don't need to close the coop door when they go to roost?

 

[Pork Pie]

So if they are in the secure outdoor pen, I guess we don't need to close the coop door when they go to roost?

Correct