Can chickens use a cat door?

[blooo]

Has anyone been successful in getting their chickens to use a cat door?

I'm tired of wild birds going into my tractor run when the chickens are free-ranging, and was thinking that putting a cat door in the door to the run could work well, if the chickens could be taught to use the door.

Here is a picture that shows my tractor with the door for the run: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blubob/2889706872/in/set-72157607504611354/

thanks!

 

[JennsPeeps]

Mine are really curious about my cats' door. They peck at it all the time but so far haven't figured it out (thank goodness!!).

I don't see why you couldn't teach them to use a cat door if the flap is light enough for them to push aside.

It's all about the training!

 

[chickenpiedpiper]

I dont use an official cat door, but I do have heavy plastic hanging over the door, with slices in it, so the birds have to push thier way thru... It works well to keep drafts at a minnimum, and after the first day or so, my birds dont even slow down for it, they just charge right thru, and it is 2 layers deep, stiff and not transparent!

I think you may find a cat door too small for some of the bigger birds... My roos would not fit thru one...

Good Luck!

 

[Barn Maid Ann]

OMG! Don't give them any ideas! We have enough trouble keeping the little devils out of the garage. If they learn to use the cats' door, we are doomed!

 

[mychickensrock]

I wish we had a "pet" door. We are constantly letting chickens come visit in the kitchen. It would be nice if they could just pop in. "Hey Mom! Give me some treats! Ok. Nice to see you. Going back outside now. See you in 5 minutes."

 

[Chickenfortress]

I have a locking double pet door made of lexan. They can see through it, but won't go through unless i prop one side partway open. If i had it to do over, i would not get one that has 2 doors on it. I worry that one will get its head through, and decide to go back. That would be a pinch it wouldn't soon forget. It may be enough to stop them from using it at all.

 

[cmom]

I have read some posts where some have put a towell over the door and the birds push the towell. I'm not sure is they cut the towell or not.

 

[rooster-red]

My roo's are WAAAAYYY to big to go through a cat door.

 

[lorihadams]

We put a towel that is folded in half over the door to our coop...took about a week for them to figure out that they could just push through it but it helps keep out the drafts and now I don't have to let them out every morning...also gives the girls some privacy in the coop when they are laying! All it takes is for one or two of them to figure it out and the rest will follow.

Good luck!

Lori

 

[blooo]

I like the towel and heavy plastic ideas - seems a lot easier and cheaper than getting an actual cat door! thanks, everyone!