I want to add a small door on my run only for the chickens to use. I want to make it small as possible to discourage predators. How small can I make it and the chickens still be able to get in and out ok? Im thinking maybe 9"x12". I have standard chickens. RI reds and Buff Orpingtons.
Hi! I have RIR's and BO's, too. Do you have a roo? I have one RIR roo and he is much bigger than the girls and will keep growing for a while. He is only 16 weeks and he is getting tall but he will fill out a lot more also as he matures.
Ok, I'm dyslexic and when I read this title I would have bet anything that it read, "Chicken Door PRIZE"
-- so, of course I just had to know what it meant.
OH -- Chicken Door SIZE!!! Never mind.
Happens all the time.
As for my opinion on the door size -- I don't think size will go very far to discourage predators. Possums, cats, coyotes and raccoons can get through anything the size of a tin can if what is on the other side is something they want very much. Bears and raging bison will just take the place apart. Make the chicken door a good size for your chickens to come and go. Mine's 12" x16" or there abouts. Make the run, if you have one. secure. Hardware cloth, buried, electric fence. Ft. Knox.
And the next time you need a door prize for your Chickens -- Let Them Eat Cake.
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Dont really have a problem with smaller predators in my area, just usually Coyotes and large dogs. Thats why I wanted to make it as small as possible. I dont have a Roo, so I was thinking maybe even as small as 9"x10".
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Maybe not yet...............I've found that everything in the world wants to eat my Chickens and there are predators you've never seen or heard of until you get chickens. Make the door sized for the chickens and close it up every night.
I made mine 15"x16". I have LF and will be getting RIRs in the spring. The rocks fill the door and we have coyotes to weasels. A drop down door with a slide bolt inside shuts it up tight.
