Seeking opinions on a bottom chicken access door. I'm looking at building our second coop. We have been hit with owl attacks as of late, and I'm looking for ways to discourage the owl from thinking our place is a buffet.
From what I understand about owl (as a predator), they do not like going into spaces they cannot get back out of easily. And a bottom door is one they're not particularly comfortable going up into.
We need to elevate our coop at least 20" due to the site being in a flood-prone area. So my thought is to put the chicken door in the floor instead of the wall. The ramp will be hinged, so it will latch up closed at night.
Our pet-sitter is notorious for forgetting to latch the door - hence the need to be owl proofed a bit better. Last year's annual fishing trip meant we lost all our chicks from that year's hatch because of an owl attack. (Lost 5 chicks in the course of a week due to not locking up early enough at night). As she's an otherwise excellent caregiver (she just cannot get here earlier), I'm trying to protect my flock better and make her job easier also.
What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of having a bottom ramp door?
Bedding falling through hole and clogging up works? Chicks falling out unexpectedly? Easier access for four-footed predators? (we're in skunk/raccoon/possum/coyote area - but have secure run, so predator would have to go over fence (dug down 12") then up ramp to access chickens).
Let me know what works and what doesn't! Thanks!
From what I understand about owl (as a predator), they do not like going into spaces they cannot get back out of easily. And a bottom door is one they're not particularly comfortable going up into.
We need to elevate our coop at least 20" due to the site being in a flood-prone area. So my thought is to put the chicken door in the floor instead of the wall. The ramp will be hinged, so it will latch up closed at night.
Our pet-sitter is notorious for forgetting to latch the door - hence the need to be owl proofed a bit better. Last year's annual fishing trip meant we lost all our chicks from that year's hatch because of an owl attack. (Lost 5 chicks in the course of a week due to not locking up early enough at night). As she's an otherwise excellent caregiver (she just cannot get here earlier), I'm trying to protect my flock better and make her job easier also.
What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of having a bottom ramp door?
Bedding falling through hole and clogging up works? Chicks falling out unexpectedly? Easier access for four-footed predators? (we're in skunk/raccoon/possum/coyote area - but have secure run, so predator would have to go over fence (dug down 12") then up ramp to access chickens).
Let me know what works and what doesn't! Thanks!
