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I havnt closed my coop in so long... I believe the last time I closed it was when I first put the flock in there. And that was just so they would figure out that THAT was home and not the old coop. Now though, I leave it open, but it is completely surounded and covered in wire, with an 18" apron run along the outside. Plus Chickieladys pokey no climb barbs! I havn't had an issue yet. Now when our temps really dip below freezing, say consistantly in the 20's, then I'll close up for the nights. Just to hold some extra heat in.
I have strict rules and close my coops every night, and they have lock bars on them, with thumb clips (like on a horse lead or dog leash) BUT, every so often I think HE has locked them all, and he think I locked them all, and the next morning I go out to unlock coops and find a flock already out & wide awake.........
Not cool!!!!!!!!
The no-dig/no-climb fence was an idea I got from Greg, and it works.
BUT there is always something (a weasel?) that can go right through the 2x4 fence wire lickity-split...so I always LOCK the coops.
Same here, and skunks can dig a very long ways if they get a wiff of young chicks, I lost 15 one night, all their little bodies just laying around the next morning.