Advice for Human/Chicken Shared Door

[ChickieChickieMama]

I'm fixing up an old horse stable that was once converted into a turkey coop but was in serious disrepair when I came along on the scene. In many places I just have no idea what they were thinking when they "built" stuff...or how things were used. I've gotten most of it fixed up now but I'm stumped by the door between the coop and the run. The coop (formerly a horse stable) is about knee high up from the run level. The height of the opening is about four or so feet from the coop floor, which makes stepping in and out possible for me (by entering on an angle forward) but not ideal.

I'm thinking I'll cut up into the plywood above to make it at least 5'5" high (maximum possible there) but I'm wondering if the chickens and I can somehow share a door or if they need their separate entrance. I could use the space to the right of the main opening for a chicken door I think if that's best? Is there some sort of a step design that I could install for us to share or is it best to simply give them their door and I keep mine; I use a step they use a plankwalk. I'm all about minimal effort at this point after the maximum work I've already done to predator proof this massive decrepit 13' x 17' coop!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You can put a pop hole in a big door. We have one on our bantam coop.

 

[ChickieChickieMama]

So the moment I posted this, I looked at the picture and realized one option I hadn't considered would be to simply build up a dirt hill to the step! That should be human and chicken friendly, right? Though still not ideal, probably....

 

[ChickieChickieMama]

You can put a pop hole in a big door. We have one on our bantam coop.

How does the step part work though? When I'm in the coop (and I plan to spend a fair bit of time hanging out with the chicks and my kids since it's so large) I'd prefer to keep the door open so we can get in and out easily....do I just use a plank for them that I move when we're using the human door?

 

[ChickieChickieMama]

OK, and because I'm a newbie here, is there a reason they need a pop door or can they just use a normal one? Is there some benefit to a pop door for them?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You don't need a pop hole. My big shed just has open doorways. You can also use something as a step as well.

 

[ChickieChickieMama]

Okay just wanted to give an update on case anyone else might find this thread useful...I ended up using a modified pallet as a ramp and building a (5'6" height) human door that we can both use!

It still needs to be painted and made to look pretty but at the moment it's functional for both the chickens and they humans. Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That looks really nice.

 

[ChickieChickieMama]

That looks really nice.

Thanks! I wouldn't call it nice myself so much as "thrown together with a wish and a prayer and a bunch of old smelly things", but I'll take the compliment.

 

[Cryss]

OK, and because I'm a newbie here, is there a reason they need a pop door or can they just use a normal one? Is there some benefit to a pop door for them?

It depends on where your coop lives. If you live where it gets cold, or if the coop is located in such a way that rain and/or snow would enter through an open human sized door, then a pop door really is best. You want to keep moisture out of the coop while giving chickens access to the outdoors. I'd put steps in here and a pop door in the human door. Chickens can maneuver steps. That being said I do love the pallet ramp!