When to open door to chicken coop?

[Stickle5301]

So I have 6 chicks about to be out full time in a coop we built. The bf and I both go to work super early... like, are leaving the house by 430am. I usually work 10s so I'm home around 2-4 PM. My bf gets home around 1-2pm. My concern is with leaving the chicks in the coop til we get home or opening the door too early for something to get in.

Coop info: it's a 4x8' coop with 3 nesting boxes so it should be enough room for them to hangout. We just bought a used outside dog kennel for a run that I will be digging some hardware mesh/cloth into the ground and reinforcing to keep predators out. It will have a top.

If its secure enough and warm in the summer, can I just leave the coop open?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

32 square feet of coop is plenty for six chicks, especially if it's only for part of the day. Until they are nearly grown, I'd leave them locked up in the mornings until one of you can come home to let them out to the run. You could look into setting up a pop-door on a timer to solve the issue, or have a neighbor let them out each morning. Once fully grown, and you're SURE the run and coop are predator proof, you might consider opening their run door before you leave for work - but that depends on where you live and how safe you think they'll be. I think a pop-door on a timer, or a neighbor, are a better option for the long-term.

 

[Stickle5301]

32 square feet of coop is plenty for six chicks, especially if it's only for part of the day. Until they are nearly grown, I'd leave them locked up in the mornings until one of you can come home to let them out to the run. You could look into setting up a pop-door on a timer to solve the issue, or have a neighbor let them out each morning. Once fully grown, and you're SURE the run and coop are predator proof, you might consider opening their run door before you leave for work - but that depends on where you live and how safe you think they'll be. I think a pop-door on a timer, or a neighbor, are a better option for the long-term.

Thanks, ya I was looking at the solar/timed doors but have kinda read mixed reviews.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Thanks, ya I was looking at the solar/timed doors but have kinda read mixed reviews.

You might just have to choose which option is better for your chickens - a pop-door that may not open on schedule, or taking the chance of a predator getting in.

 

[TwitchnChickens]

I have a similar setup as you and the run is attached to the chicken house. I leave the pop door open all the time so the girls can go in or out when they want to since their food and water are outside in the run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd vote for an auto door. They're not 100% fail proof but IMO a safer option than risking opening up early and having an early morning predator get to them.

If that's not an option, then I would rather leave the door open all the time, rather than keeping them locked up inside half the day. Reason being you don't have enough space inside the coop to prevent behavioral issues due to crowding, and you also risk heat stroke during hotter weather if they can't get out (unless your coop is open air or you live in a very mild climate with ample ventilation in the coop).

 

[Mrs. K]

Depending where you live, I would worry more about the heat and behaviors. So get the run up ASAP.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

If its secure enough and warm in the summer, can I just leave the coop open?

Yes. It comes down to how secure you think your run is. Plenty of people leave the pop door open all the time so they have access at all times. I don't do that, my run is predator resistant but not predator proof. My coop is a safer place for them. There can be other reasons for opening or closing a pop door but the typical one is predators.

I don't know how old your chicks are or what weather you are seeing. If you modify your profile to show general location it will always be available. General location can be a help in many different circumstances, not just climate. After a certain point after moving them into the coop I always open my pop door every day and let them decide if they want to go out or not. Mine go out when it is below 0* Fahrenheit as long as snow isn't covering the ground and a cold wind is not blowing. They know whether they want to go out or not better than I do.

 

[tralfaz]

Depending where you live, I would worry more about the heat and behaviors. So get the run up ASAP.

Looks like OP is in Ohio
I had the same concerns with heat and ventilation. It hit 80s this weekend by us and the hens stayed under the coop most of the time since the shade hasn't grown in yet.