Building a new coop

[junkman56]

That may be big enough for the hens to get thru, it was for mine...
...might have to add a piece of wood to make opening smaller.

What is a good size

 

[aart]

What is a good size

I had a slim hen get thru a 4x4, so I closed up the doors to 3 1/2" wide.

 

[junkman56]

I went out and screwed the piece I cut out onto it, and made it 3 1/2" wide and left it 7" high

 

[aart]

That's about exactly what I did to my 5x7...and by using screws you can adjust it if needed.
Now just hope that they can find their way out...and back in.

 

[junkman56]

That's about exactly what I did to my 5x7...and by using screws you can adjust it if needed.
Now just hope that they can find their way out...and back in.

One was out earlier, and a hen cornered it and couldnt find it's way back in. That happened out in the run I had to put it back in

 

[aart]

One was out earlier, and a hen cornered it and couldnt find it's way back in. That happened out in the run I had to put it back in

Some folks think it's stupid but I 'train' them to the tiny doors before exposing them to the older birds. It's described in here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
....and in the main run I make hiding places close to the ramp, or in your case the tiny door. I also have multiple tiny doors.

 

[junkman56]

I have one chick that comes out to the run, but when she gets chased shes not sure how to get back in

This pic is a milk crate I stuck under the nesting boxes across from the lil door to main coop. So they can hide if need be.

 

[junkman56]

I surely hope this goes pretty smooth,
The last time I didn't have to many issues, but I cannot remember what all I did

 

[aart]

I would toss up a quick 'corral' around the door with some fencing, maybe 4-6 feet n diameter.
Shove them out thru the door then go outside and 'scare' them back thru the door.
Do that a few times and they'll figure it out.
Or even leave the 'corral up for a day or two.

 

[junkman56]

I would toss up a quick 'corral' around the door with some fencing, maybe 4-6 feet n diameter.
Shove them out thru the door then go outside and 'scare' them back thru the door.
Do that a few times and they'll figure it out.
Or even leave the 'corral up for a day or two.

I will make a corral tomorrow, if it's not raining, I wish I would of done that today it was beautiful out