Chicken Entrance for Coop and Sand Info

[Msparksrdh]

Hey, guys! We have an elevated coop and I just have a few questions. We are in the middle of changing out the old chicken wire and replacing it with 14 gauge galvanized mesh, as suggested by other members here. Before we finish, and I have included a picture, there is a small opening for the chickens to use. My concerns, leaving it open...couldn’t a fox or raccoon climb it some how and just come in? Should I create a door with the mesh to cover that opening? And if I do, how to I keep the piece of wood they would using to hop in? I just want to make sure I get it right. Second, I hear of everyone putting sand in the bottom of the coop and I would like to do that too, but with it being elevated, it’s going to be a pain to get all that sand in there. I will do whatever needs to be done but I was just wondering if anyone had any other suggestions. Finally, the house part of the coop. Do the chickens go in there at night or can they just stay in the wire part? I’m worried they will get too hot being in there but I want them to be safe. Sorry if these are dumb questions but this is my first time and i’m Just super nervous to put them out there and do the wrong thing. Any help is appreciated!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm not sure in the photo where the chicken door is supposed to be... it's not the opening on the right side of the red enclosed coop that's up a couple of feet? Or are you talking about a door leaving the run area? Generally a pop door would have either a lockable wood door covering it, that you'd manually open, or an automatic door which can be wood or metal. And you lock it every night to add extra predator protection.

If you're worried about it being hot inside the coop then that's a sign that there's not enough ventilation. You want minimum 1 sq ft per chicken or 10% of floor space in vents, more if your climate is hot (not sure your location).

Also why sand? Once again your location is relevant. I personally think it would be a huge hassle to try and get sand in an elevated structure and would opt to use some form of organic litter, whether it be wood shavings, chips, etc.

 

[Msparksrdh]

I'm not sure in the photo where the chicken door is supposed to be... it's not the opening on the right side of the red enclosed coop that's up a couple of feet? Or are you talking about a door leaving the run area? Generally a pop door would have either a lockable wood door covering it, that you'd manually open, or an automatic door which can be wood or metal. And you lock it every night to add extra predator protection.

If you're worried about it being hot inside the coop then that's a sign that there's not enough ventilation. You want minimum 1 sq ft per chicken or 10% of floor space in vents, more if your climate is hot (not sure your location).

Also why sand? Once again your location is relevant. I personally think it would be a huge hassle to try and get sand in an elevated structure and would opt to use some form of organic litter, whether it be wood shavings, chips, etc.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I guess I was calling the whole thing a coop. So, the wire part, If you look at the front of it, it is located on the lower left. There is part of a 2x4 sticking out of the door. I think the intention was to have them hop on the 2x4 and go in the run that way. I just don’t like not being able to close it off. I live in Virginia, so we have all four seasons. I don’t know that the coop part is too hot, I was just thinking it would seem like it could be. I will put a thermostat in there and that way we can monitor it. So, i’m guessing in the evening, they will go in the run or do I lock them in the actual coop part? I think I will take that 2x4 out, and replace it with a door like you were saying and just have a walk board that we can remove at night. The only reason I was going to use sand is because it comes so highly recommended by others on the site.

 

[Msparksrdh]

I added another picture of the opening. I definitely think I will take that out and put one of the pop doors or automatic doors you mentioned. Thank you!!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok, I was totally looking at the wrong thing! I would either put a ramp to the door (especially if you have heavier breeds) or build a platform that sticks out, that should be easier for them to jump up to and walk inside. And definitely some sort of door, either one that manually closes or an automatic one.

Instead of sand, consider deep litter or deep bedding (since this is elevated, bedding is probably the way to go, as you won't want to be adding moisture) - there's plenty of threads on it. Organic matter is far lighter to cart around and probably easy for you to source with all those trees around. When you're done with it you can add it to your compost pile or just dump it somewhere on your lot, if you have land to work with. My coop uses aged wood chips, which were free from my yard. I clean it out into the run where it can compost down with the other litter materials.

 

[Msparksrdh]

That sounds good. That will be a lot easier to get in and out of there. I hate to keep asking so many questions. I just know they are going to be out there soon and i’m getting nervous. So, the coop itself will need the chips and such but I was also thinking the run part would need something on it as well? Or just the treated plywood? Thank you so much again. I can tell you how much I appreciate your help!! I’m feeling much better already!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I use deep litter in my run but it's on soil. In your case you might want to use the same deep bedding material throughout, depending on what's available to you. A wood floor is best kept dry so you might have to experiment a little to see what works well that's also cost and labor efficient.