monstermunch Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Hi everyone I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried leaving the chicken coop door open overnight and whether it was ok? I've noticed since its been getting lighter and warmer in the mornings, my 4 chickens are desperate to get out and seem really thirsty by the time I get down to let them out (usually around 7am, sometimes earlier). I had a look at automatic door openers but these only seem to be available for vertically opening doors, and mine opens horizontally. I was considering leaving the door open when it's a bit warmer so that they can do as they please over the summer, but I'm not sure whether it's a good idea. I have a run attached to the coop and it's pretty secure - I've never found evidence of foxes trying to get in, although they are around, not sure if it's any different to during the day. Any ideas or thoughts would be really appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heth1986 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I leave my girls with their door open. I'm quite happy that mine's pretty much fox proof though so I guess that would be your main consideration. I did, however, wake up this morning to the sound of my Mary screaming at the top of her voice to be let out to FR and had to run out in my dressing gown to tell her to hush up before the neighbours complained! Needless to say, she's now grounded until she learns to ask me nicely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcharlie43 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I never fully close the door. If its really cold I leave the cube door half shut and the chickens push it open and let themselves out, otherwise i leave the door open always so they can come and go as they want. However I do keep the cube run door shut at all times unless they are FR when I am about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Always shut the door, you never know if a fox is going to reach in if a chook sleeps near the wire or if there is a weakness you haven't spotted. They do chew a bit in the mornings to be let out but still squark when ready to lay, the cube deadens the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I've just started leaving my Cube door open all night, I've had the girls for a year and spent last summer getting up at 0430am to let them out as soon as the sun rose . This year, after persuading from DH, I have been leaving the door open. They hop out whenever theyre ready and I have food hanging in the WIR so no danger of slugs invading the wall mounted one . The WIR has an electric fence round it as well so I know Mr Fox cant get to them during the night either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I close my coup doors. It deadens the sound in the morning .They are let out by about 6.30 and roam around until I go to work at 8 and then back in the WIR until let out to FR again at 2 ish . I know even with a WIR the foxes etc., could still get them but I will have done my best to protect them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I personally would not leave the door open, it is too much of an easy option for Mr Fox but also smaller pests like mice and rats will get in. Not worth the risk in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Closed door for me too. But I might think differently when I get that WIR ... some day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I feel a song coming on "someday my WIR will come...." - apologies to Snow White Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bantambabe Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 unless it's -10 overnight, I too always leave the door open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmum Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Door open for us too except for when it's super cold. Luckily we have a WIR and have had no problems with foxes trying to get in; they'd need welding equipment to be honest! Door open/closed not an issue for four of ours as they're back to al fresco perching already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 (edited) Cube door always open, run door closed overnight, but open from about 7.00 am ish. Alli x Edited March 13, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermunch Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Thanks everyone that's really helpful, think perhaps I need to have another look at how secure it is before I try- I'd be devastated if anything happened to them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMS6 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I always shut mine is too exept on odd occassion if we are away over just one night. I have covered the window in their coop though to block out some of the early light. Plus remember we alter the clocks very soon so that will make a difference to the morning light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
