Clean out door for the chicken run - how big?

[blackdog043]

My door is 39" wide, wheel barrel is 26" wide. I used 2 regular door hinges I had laying around and braced the corners, no sagging going on.

 

[Chad Oftedal]

Hello, all!

I just wanted to post a quick update. Thanks for all the suggestions that came in!

Here is a picture of the BACK of my gate. I ended up doing the split door design. The orientation here in the photo is a little confusing. The top of the gate is at the bottom edge of the foreground. Imagine reaching down by your feet, picking the gate up, and standing it upright.



So, the left door is going to be the stationary door. It is 28" wide, and will probably be kept in place with a cane bolt into the ground on the inside of the run. The right door is 32" wide and will be the main in-and-out door that I use on a daily basis.

The construction details: I used my Kreg HD pocket hole jig (designed to join 2x4's) on all the framing connections for the doors and the outermost frame. I reinforced the joints with the Simpson strong ties that you can see in the picture. I mainly added the strong ties because the pressure treated wood is still "wet" and considerably heavier than what it will be when dried out. I thought the braces will help carry some extra support while the wood dries, and even after that, will just be nice for the extra support. I'm sure it's more than what is needed, but fence building is something that I have learned to love to do once! For the front (which I'll upload a picture later when it is installed on the run) I used 6 galvanized heavy duty hinges (3 per door) and a heavy duty swinging latch/bar style lock that has holes drilled for a security padlock. The wire mesh is galvanized 1/2"x1" wire that was stapled into the 2x4s with 1 1/2" stainless steel narrow crown staples. I then sandwiched it with 1x4. It took an afternoon to put it together, and I found some time yesterday to put the latch on. Everything swings really nice and I'm anxious to put it to use. The suggestions and pictures that people shared were very helpful.

I'm on my last panel for my run (7 have now been built out of 8 total) and as soon as I get this final panel built, I'm going to start fastening them to the posts and get the run enclosure completed, and then the roof of the run started.

 

[blackdog043]

Nice job on the door! Can't wait to see when your done!

I'm sure it's more than what is needed, but fence building is something that I have learned to love to do once!

And that is why some of use do more than is needed sometimes, me included, once and done!(hopefully)

 

[Chad Oftedal]

OK, finally finished the run (minus the roof) and so the door is in place.

 

[jthornton]

Looking real good!

JT

 

[aart]

Excellent!