[Hooee]

I have 4 hens in a big secure pen with roof, the hen house is in the middle, i never shut the door to the coop, so they can get up and out when they want as they are kept about 5 miles from where i live andi don't get there till 7.30.  i do shut them in at night if the weather is v windy, the pen is in a corner and quite protected naturally, they all seem happy and are laying every day dispite the cold.  is this situation ok or not ??javascript:replaceText('%20:(',%20document.forms.postmodify.message);

[karlooben]

as long as you feel your run is as fox proof as poss then to me this sounds fine , i have read that some ppl on here dont lock thier girls away,. i am thinknig of doing this but not until the summer evenings . at the mo i am lucky i can get to my girls and put them away at 2,30 if the weather was really that bad but normally they are in bed at about 4 - 4,30 pm.

[Vember]

Hi Hooee

Think if it was me I'd be shutting them in at night even though they are in a secure pen
But that's just me I like to know they are safe

What is the pen made out of ?
Foxes aren't the only predator to consider, mink & stoats can & will kill chickens

Sarah

[poultrygeist]

Do you get to check them over at all Hooee ?

I'd be concerned that could develop problems that go undetected othwerwise.

Rob

[Hooee]

Do you get to check them over at all Hooee ?

I'd be concerned that could develop problems that go undetected othwerwise.

hi rob yes i'm up there 3 times a day, i check for lice etc,blood, and their bits round their head for injury or dry or chapped with the weather, also i hold them by the feet and look at the back end, am i missing anything?? i'm new to all this i'm open to any advice. i check them weekly ?

[poultrygeist]

Sounds like you have it covered.
I wasn't sure if you were only going once a day.

I'd agree about being nervous leaving the door open but it's your call. If you're happy that a fox can't get in. 
 (just being paranoid)

Rob

[BestBreast]

Hi Hooee,

I have upto now closed the pop hole and locked the coop door. I will once the weather picks up leave the pop hole open but still lock the coop door.

The coop is on slabs so no fox can dig underneath. They also have a secure run (well at least it was until it snowed and the roof stretched so have taken it down for now). I have also made them a denim curtain for their pop hole so it stays nice and warm.

It's much nicer to know they can have a little wonder if they want to even if they have to wait to be let out into the run or garden.

[Poolfield2]

I like the idea of your chooks having denim curtains

[BestBreast]

It really makes them nice and snug and they don't mind it at all.