I Could Use Some Help With Door Designs in the Run

Apr 16, 2023
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NE Tennessee
I'm framing in a human door with 2x4.
I also need a chicken door.
I have 3 strap hinges for the human door, a handle, a latch. I even have eye screws and cable to use if necessary.
For the chicken door I have 2 regular hinges for the top and a latch for the bottom.

I could use some ideas on the best ways to go about designing them for strength and economy.
Here is where I have begun framing in for the human door. The opening will be 29" wide and 57" in height (above the kickboard)

IMG_20230511_123552549.jpg


Here is how I am planning on placing the uprights.

IMG_20230511_123633834.jpg


Here is how I'm thinking of fixing the bottom of the uprights.

IMG_20230511_123705240.jpg


Somewhere along the bottom, I need a chicken door.
I have not come up with anything yet.

IMG_20230511_123717979.jpg
 
I'm framing in a human door with 2x4.
I also need a chicken door.
I have 3 strap hinges for the human door, a handle, a latch. I even have eye screws and cable to use if necessary.
For the chicken door I have 2 regular hinges for the top and a latch for the bottom.

I could use some ideas on the best ways to go about designing them for strength and economy.
Here is where I have begun framing in for the human door. The opening will be 29" wide and 57" in height (above the kickboard)

View attachment 3501567

Here is how I am planning on placing the uprights.

View attachment 3501568

Here is how I'm thinking of fixing the bottom of the uprights.

View attachment 3501569

Somewhere along the bottom, I need a chicken door.
I have not come up with anything yet.

View attachment 3501571
Your on the right path. You don't need those bottom brackets. Just use screws to toenail the board to bottom joist. As far as the door, I'd build it out of 1x6 lumber with some "x" bracing for support.

I would also have put the flooring on before the wall framing.

On a side note, maybe we'll be neighbors some day. Wife and I are planning on moving to east Tennessee in a couple years after she retires.
 
Your on the right path. You don't need those bottom brackets. Just use screws to toenail the board to bottom joist. As far as the door, I'd build it out of 1x6 lumber with some "x" bracing for support.

I would also have put the flooring on before the wall framing.

On a side note, maybe we'll be neighbors some day. Wife and I are planning on moving to east Tennessee in a couple years after she retires.

Thank you!

It won't have a floor, as it's a run. I will be building a coop on the back.

I wondered about toenailing, but thought maybe using the brackets would be sturdier? It's complicating the fit, though.

I'd like to use the 2x4s I already bought for the doors, if possible. This has cost me much more than I'd originally imagined. 😂 😭

What part of TN are you thinking of? Lots of folks from NY have fled here. One of my best friends came from Potsdam and my son married a girl from Poughkeepsie and her family moved down, too.
 
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A tip for your human door. Have the door close onto rather than into the frame at the top and bottom at least. This means you don't need a tolerance for the door to open and close in all weathers. Wood moves around a lot and often the gap to ensure the door fits in the frame is enough for weasels and rats to fit through the gap. Get the tolerance too tight and the door will stick when the wood contracts and expands.
Think house doors with door jambs.
 
Thank you!

It won't have a floor, as it's a run. I will be building a coop on the back.

I wondered about toenailing, but thought maybe using the brackets would be sturdier? It's complicating the fit, though.

I'd like to use the 2x4s I already bought for the doors, if possible. This has cost me eat more than I'd originally imagined. 😂 😭

What part of TN are you thinking of? Lots of folks from NY have fled here. One of my best friends came from Potsdam and my son married a girl from Poughkeepsie and her family moved down, too.
Johnson City and points NE. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

So if this is a run, will the chickens be locked up at night in the coop? If so, I'd frame the door with 2x4's with cross bracing and cover with HC.
 
A tip for your human door. Have the door close onto rather than into the frame at the top and bottom at least. This means you don't need a tolerance for the door to open and close in all weathers. Wood moves around a lot and often the gap to ensure the door fits in the frame is enough for weasels and rats to fit through the gap. Get the tolerance too tight and the door will stick when the wood contracts and expands.
Think house doors with door jambs.
Oooh, I like that. It might make it easier for me to not have to be so exact, as well. It is really the close tolerances that have had me nervous - how to make it as tight as possible without getting stuck.
 
Johnson City and points NE. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

So if this is a run, will the chickens be locked up at night in the coop? If so, I'd frame the door with 2x4's with cross bracing and cover with HC.
Very close to where I am.
Please feel free to message me about anything.
What are you wanting to get away from and what are you hoping to find? :)

Okay - I'm ASSUMING there is a private messaging thing on this site. 😂

Yes, they will be locked up.
Would this be a good option?

2x4 gate.PNG


I think my strap hinges are not going to work...
I feel like this should not be this complicated. LOL

You should see where I have been! 🤔🤪
https://homesteadlaboratory.blogspot.com/2014/06/gate-brace-math.html
https://diy.stackexchange.com/quest...nfiguration-of-a-cross-brace-on-a-wooden-gate
 
Very close to where I am.
Please feel free to message me about anything.
What are you wanting to get away from and what are you hoping to find? :)

Okay - I'm ASSUMING there is a private messaging thing on this site. 😂

Yes, they will be locked up.
Would this be a good option?

View attachment 3502237

I think my strap hinges are not going to work...
I feel like this should not be this complicated. LOL

You should see where I have been! 🤔🤪
https://homesteadlaboratory.blogspot.com/2014/06/gate-brace-math.html
https://diy.stackexchange.com/quest...nfiguration-of-a-cross-brace-on-a-wooden-gate
Is that top piece the full hight of the door? Or are you trying to make one door out of two sections?
 

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