Adding second chicken-door

[dustbath]

This is probably a silly question but here goes anyway.

Does it matter where I put a second chicken door in the coop? I had to separate my flock into two groups because of fighting. Now one group uses the part of the coop I had been using for storage and uses the people door for access (the other group has a chicken door). I want to add a second chicken door for this half of the coop. Does it matter which wall I use? Is it better to keep it on the same side of the coop as the first door? The chicken doors will be open all day.

Thanks!

 

[Clay In Iowa]

I would think the best place to put it is where it's most convenient for you.

I actually plan 4 doors so i can rotate runs.

 

[patandchickens]

All I can really say is that if it is on a different *wall* than the existing door, you are more apt to more-often have a breeze blowing thru the coop. (Good in summer, not so much in winter, have to decide based on your own situation).

Also you wanna make sure that the second door doesn't end up going somewhere that a gutterless roof edge is going to dump gallons of water to create a mudhole where the chickens step out into the run.

I am in the process of dividing my 7x20' sussex pen (just need to build the actual divider, now) and have put the doors to the run right next to each other but only because of convenience issues that are kind of unique to my building/situation. On the whole I doubt it really matters much whether they're adjacent or far-apart on the same wall, unless they are apt to attack each other thru the divider or something extreme like that.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[BeckyLa]

Whenever possible I try to put pop doors that stay open all day on the south or east sides of the coop because of winter weather. So, much depends on your location and climate. If you're in a hot climate and summer cooling is a concern the opposite side from the other door would allow better summer ventilation. Then there is the run, where is it? Or maybe the side closest the house so you can see what is going on better. Just some suggestions. hth.

 

[dustbath]

Those are all good suggestions. I think I'll put the new door next to the old door, both for visibility from the house and to minimize cross-ventilation in winter (cold in winter is more of a problem than heat in summer here in upstate New York). It will also be easiest for me that way.

The run is straight out the old chicken door, toward the house. The second flock free range in the yard all day.

Thanks again!

 

[chicken_angler]

I have three doors on my coop. I did not put them there but my chickens use them in the summer. I closed 2 for winter.

My coop was already here but we made a few changes too it. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!