Sealing Cracks, Placement of Feeders/Waterers & Sliding Door

GregT said:

9281022 said:

 
Do I *really* need a lock on the sliding door? I know it is ideal...but here's the problem I just discovered after last post. I went out there to try and figure out how I would be putting a latch (of any kind) on the sliding door. First the wood is so thin I am pretty sure anything would splinter it, I would most likely have to put a piece of wood on the back side of it to catch the screw. Then I would run into the problem of the screws wouldn't let me slide the door totally closed/open. Ack! 

The pop door is inside of the premade coop run, there are two doors on that and I will be adding another kind of latch to them. PLUS, the whole unit will be inside what I am hoping will end up being a Fort Knox run.  We are going to bury

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 afix a 1x4 on the outside of the sliding door screwed from the inside .. then mount the push/pull onto that wood (the 1x4)

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I am unsure on how you mean? If I am seeing what you mean wouldn't the wood on the end where you screw prevent the door from sliding completely open? See how the door goes all the way to the side of the coop.

9281022 said:

I am unsure on how you mean? If I am seeing what you mean wouldn't the wood on the end where you screw prevent the door from sliding completely open? See how the door goes all the way to the side of the coop.

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hello .. yeah, I am thinking if you put the 1x4 on the outside of the door and screw it from the inside (maybe use a washer,as you said the sliding door was very thin) .. OK .. I am looking at the picture and read what you posted just now .. maybe use a 1x2 , screw it on the very edge so that when it does go to the inside you would only lose 1.5 in of the door being totally open ..

Okay, thank you so much!

Your welcome .. I hope it works out no matter what way you end up going about .. I'm new to chickens myself .. about a year now .. Coming up with ways to do things for the hens and yourself is such a blast, lots of fun ..
This is a great forum .. came across it not long ago .. much information .. good stuff

GregT said:

Your welcome .. I hope it works out no matter what way you end up going about .. I'm new to chickens myself .. about a year now .. Coming up with ways to do things for the hens and yourself is such a blast, lots of fun ..
This is a great forum .. came across it not long ago .. much information .. good stuff

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I'm gathering that! Seems like good people here.
Yea, I've been reading & reading then reading some more. I'm more excited than nervous, so I must be reading in the right places! Makes me wish I was super wealthy because I would build these kids something amazing! Doing this on a severe budget is hard to get started. The run will be hell! A little materials at a time. I figure we have what about 16 weeks (is this right?) until the babies are ready for the big girl coop? Should only take a weekend to build the thing.
I've been having fun! Gosh dang it, tonight I am sewing a curtain for the boxes! Who would have thought I would be sitting here sewing curtains for chickens!? Not to mention out of ALL the pets I could choose from I choose chickens!? I giggle at that! I never knew they were so social, friendly & smart! I'm a hold your nose and just jump in kind of chick. (no pun)

Besides racoons, my run was designed to discourage a 200 pound dog.

It is as secure as my coop, perhaps more so as the entrance into it rarely gets used.

That said, I keep my poop door open 24/7 and no worries.

That's a pretty big puppy! Thought mine was big at 140/150!
I imagine everything is all trial & error and what works best for each person. Probably over time I will end up with it open, I'll wait and see just how well our design keeps critters out.