Coop/Run Door Height - 6 ft?

Hello,

I am new to the forum. We just got 10 chickens that are about 5 weeks old. For our coop we converted one horse stall of our barn and instead of cutting a whole in the side of the barn we are hoping to use a window as the exit and entrance point. The window is 6 feet high, so we would make a very gradual ramp on both inside and outside.

Does this sound like something the chickens would learn to use? We would also be free ranging them some, so they wouldn't have to use it all the time.

If that doesn't work then we will cut a whole about six inches off the ground.

Thanks,
Bob

I'd cut a hole

vtbd802 said:

The window is 6 feet high, so we would make a very gradual ramp on both inside and outside.
A good rule of thumb in a perfect world:
Make your ramp twice as long as the drop which would give you a 6/12 pitch and an angle of 22.5º.
"A 4x4 block attached to the end of your ramp to make a step up will do a lot to reduce the slope also."

Click to expand...

Does this sound like something the chickens would learn to use? You do the math 12 foot ramp? Chickens can jump to a platform 2 feet high that still leaves you with a ramp 8' long.
I would say "No." Then again anything is possible.

If that doesn't work then we will cut a whole about six inches off the ground.

Thanks,
Bob

My pop door is 9x12" guillotine style I lock the door with a hinge

(OPEN POSITION) (LOCKED POSITION)
Quote:
A well oiled hinge (the smaller the better) mounted to the top of a guillotine style door on a block to impede the hinge from going beyond 180º weighted on the free edge with in my case sinkers from my tackle box.

This allow the hinge to rest in the open position with gravity's help..
OUTSIDE the door raised by a predator the hinge in the 180º position(___) comes in contact with a cross member above the door.

INSIDE the door raised by a string the hinge in the 90º position (_l) clears the cross member above the door.

EASY PEASY

Not sure where you are located, but will you ever want to leave that window closed, maybe during winter or for a storm to stop rain blowing in? How do you plan to predator proof it at night? Is using that window practical from a logistics viewpoint?

Instead of using a ramp, I’d suggest a series of perches they can hop up or down. Separate them 12” vertically and probably 9” to 12” horizontally. Even at five weeks most chickens wouldn’t have that much trouble just flying up and down that six feet if they really wanted to. It depends on the chickens.

You could train them to use any method to go in or out, but it might prove frustrating, especially teaching them to go back in. Personally I’d cut a hole about 6” above the top of the bedding to keep them from scratching out the bedding. Maybe put a cinder block as a step outside if you think they really need a step. I don’t know how big that window is, but one reason to use a small pop door is to reduce the amount of rain or snow blowing in. If you put wire fencing over that window for predator protection that window can give really good ventilation in the summer.

Ok - I think we are going to just cut a whole instead of trying to build a ramp. Thank you all for your advice!