Access Door to Run -- Necessary?

[JessLH]

My coop co-planner and I disagree on whether we need some sort of access door/hatch to our run. We will have a large walk-in coop (a converted shed), which has a chicken-size door accessing the run. The run will be 4'tall, 8'wide, 12'long, made of hardware cloth affixed to 2x4s on all sides.

My husband thinks in the event we needed to get into the run we can just undo a few feet of the hardware cloth from the wood and peel it open. I think we need a permanent and easier solution of a hatch or side door that a human can fit through if needed to access the interior (hurt chicken, etc...).

Your thoughts?

 

[PD-Riverman]

Even my Chicken tractors have doors/top I can open for access, would not think about building one I got to take a part to get in if needed!!

 

[Kiki]

DOOR!
For sure

 

[AquaDuck]

You should definitely have a permanent access to the run, yes. Making a door (or door like structure) either through the coop, or through the side of the run isn't very hard. And believe me, you'll be glad you did.

 

[Boone Farm]

Door. Shoot you could have a rogue chicken that likes laying eggs in the run... How are you gonna get those? You may want to add treats in the run. You will want to add dust bath's and may need to refill it. I would advise putting in a door from the get go, you will need it.

 

[JessLH]

Thanks everyone!! I know there are no "stupid" questions, but I was pretty sure this had good potential to be one.....

 

[fightingbunny]

Aren't you going to have some sort of run floor cover like mulch/straw/leaves/whatever and need to get into the run to replace material or clean? If it is just bare dirt or concrete, don't you still need to get in there to rake/hose it sometimes?

If you peel back some hardware cloth over and over, won't that weaken the cloth and the wood supports a lot?

 

[jennyf]

I have a large run that is not terribly accessible (chain link covered with hardware cloth and wired shut) attached to a smaller very accessible run). The reasons I have needed to unwire Ft. Knox (sure wishing I had a normal door like normal people) include:
Egg bound chicken in run needing medical attention
(2x)
Adding run litter
Removing run litter
Turning over ground when it's hard packed
Reconfiguring perches
Chickens confused by storm that didn't go in at night
Chickens scared by their new waterer who didn't go in coop at night
Fox in the area
Security check (for wire sticking out in this instance)

Thought it might be helpful to describe the times you might be wanting a door.

 

[PD-Riverman]

This is 2 of my chicken tractors with access doors.

 

[Shirley531]

I bought a wrought iron gate off ebay for $10 for my coop. Covered it in wire mesh. Looks brilliant and does the job.