[Snap Dragon]

My neighbours got some hens a few weeks ago and I am very envious as I would love some chooks of my own 

I love to watch them from our upstairs window (especially as they've been been playing in the rain this week ) but I have a question... do hens need to be shut away at night? They have a small hen house in a secure run but there is no door to the house. The hens come in and out as they please.

Excuse my nosiness, I like to lurk here and here tails of your lovely hens and ducks, so I'm storing up questions ready for the day I can join you as a proper chook owner 

[Nikkithefoot]

My hens take themselves off to bed at night and all I have to do is go and shut the door. They are early risers with the dawn, but I don't let them out until I get up in the summer. In the winter I'm up long before they are.

[daisy1990]

the main problem is obviously with foxes.  If the fox can dig under the run he will be straight through to the coop.  I would personally always shut them in once they have gone to bed.

go get your hens soon, best thing I ever did they are so relaxing!

[joyfull]

One thing your neighbour needs to be aware of is that low down draughts can be bad for chickens.

[birmancats]

I've recently got my girls.  hopefully my neighbours love then as much as I do.  I always pop out and make sure the door is shut as soon as they go to bed eventhough they have a secure run.

[Celtic Eagle]

You need a secure coop closed at night inside as large as possible secure mesh shed use 16g weld mesh 1" squares  Make sure the floor of the nest boxes cannot be pushed into the coop. Always slip the catches on doors and roofs. Sounds over the top but will stop most predators 
have alook at the attached picture to get the idea

BTW Chook keeping is very addictive we started with 4 current residents 12

Have fun !!!

[evie2]

Our chooks have a small run within a large run that's attached to the coop.  We've had a visit from the fox and badger  so everything is secured at night.  Better safe than sorry

When you finally get your chooks you'll wonder why you waited so long

[Flowerpower136]

Mine put themselves to bed, and are shut in with an auto pop-hole.  It's light sensitive so shuts and dusk and opens at dawn.  I still always double check everyone's in at night though, paranoid about foxes.

[birmancats]

Same here.  Although it has always opened and closed without any problems.  I always go out when the light drops and check they are in and safe.