What's One Accessory That's Made Chicken Life Better?

[Mrs. K]

I thought everyone locked them inside the coop at night.

It depends:

• how safe is your run?
• leaving it open, allows better circulation, and bit more breeze to move out hot air in the winter.
• You don't close it to trap heat in the winter, but to reduce draft that blows the chicken's heat away from them

Mrs K

 

[Tami2]

It depends:

• how safe is your run?
• leaving it open, allows better circulation, and bit more breeze to move out hot air in the winter.
• You don't close it to trap heat in the winter, but to reduce draft that blows the chicken's heat away from them

Mrs K

Thank you , Mrs K. We have a 26' enclosed run. We're planning on adding a secondary electric fence. My husband already secured the bottom with extra fencing for digging predators. So, we're doing all we can to protect them. Ideally, I'd love to be able to keep the door open for them. I just didn't think it would be safe enough.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Okay, so how long have you been doing it this way? I thought everyone locked them inside the coop at night. Again, I'm learning & trying to glean any & all information I can to make the best educated decisions for my girls. Thank you!

They let themselves into coop at night to roost and let themselves out into the run in the morning. I've done it this way since they moved outdoors at 6 weeks old

 

[Tami2]

They let themselves into coop at night to roost and let themselves out into the run in the morning. I've done it this way since they moved outdoors at 6 weeks old

Awesome, thank you so much!

I've been trying to find out the best age to put my girls outside full time. 5 of them just turned 4 weeks old Thursday. Between age & the outside temps, we have to strike the right balance.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A gallon milk jug is an easy way to carry water to the coop all year long, even in cold weather, it does not slosh or spill. A gallon or less is easy to carry.

x2. I don't drink milk but any gallon drink jug will do (I have Arizona ice tea ones, they're almost pretty). If you have a bigger waterer, then keep 2 around. Good for filling outdoor dog bowls in winter too! About half the year I have a jug or two on my porch for water toting whenever it's needed.

 

[NanaK]

x2. I don't drink milk but any gallon drink jug will do (I have Arizona ice tea ones, they're almost pretty). If you have a bigger waterer, then keep 2 around. Good for filling outdoor dog bowls in winter too! About half the year I have a jug or two on my porch for water toting whenever it's needed.

I do this too! Especially when I have babies. They are always getting their water icky when they are little. I like to save the 1 gal vinegar jugs. They are super tough and food grade. They work great.

 

[Anime2lover]

Okay, so how long have you been doing it this way? I thought everyone locked them inside the coop at night. Again, I'm learning & trying to glean any & all information I can to make the best educated decisions for my girls. Thank you!

That depends on what predators you have around and how strongly your Penn is secured.

 

[aart]

I like to save the 1 gal vinegar jugs. They are super tough and food grade. They work great.

Ditto Dat!
The one I have has held up for 9-10 years.

 

[NanaK]

Ditto Dat!
The one I have has held up for 9-10 years.

Periodically I throw in a splash of plain bleach and some water. Give it a good shake and rinse. I'd hate to say how long I've used some of mine but always kept sanitary! It's getting harder to get the ones with the screw on caps instead of the pop on. Times they are a changing.

 

[Tami2]

That depends on what predators you have around and how strongly your Penn is secured.

Both.

We have a 26' enclosed fenced run with the coop inside. To protect them from predators both on the ground & the sky. We are planning on adding a second fence around that's electric. Doing all we can to keep them safe. We have everything from Bears, bobcats, coyotes, coons, foxes, hawks, owls etc... You name it, we live in a rural area with tons of predators.

Once they are full grown. My plan is to allow them to free range the entire property, but ONLY if I am out there with them. I may be paranoid, but I will do everything in my power to protect them.

Yes, I understand. We are still working on it. Our girls are still young, too young to put out full time. Thanks!