Coop door -do you need one if it's enclosed in a run?

[pdxchristine]

I checked Dr. Google on this and couldn't seem to find anything definitive.

I'm building this: http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Assets/pdfs/A3908-02.pdf

and it just has a hole for the coop entrance. I live in the Portland, Oregon area, so it gets to freezing a bit in the winter but nothing like the midwest. Do I need a door to close it up at night for temperature reasons? Is having a run door secure enough or am I going to be inviting predators if I don't close them up at night?

 

[4 the Birds]

Yes you can leave a coop pop door open to the run provided the birds don't have sub zero drafts on them. Not a fan of the tractor in your link. The article claims that it is sized for 8 to 12 average size chickens. I would not put more than 3 or 4 in it. The pictures show chicken wire for the run. A determined predator could go though this or dig under if there is no floor fence or mesh. I prefer at least 2 or 3 closeable vents in the coop to have cross ventilation. Looks like the pop door is the only fresh air source and the roost bar may fit 3 or 4 birds.

 

[CHICKEN INDY]

Yes you can leave a coop pop door open to the run provided the birds don't have sub zero drafts on them. Not a fan of the tractor in your link. The article claims that it is sized for 8 to 12 average size chickens. I would not put more than 3 or 4 in it. The pictures show chicken wire for the run. A determined predator could go though this or dig under if there is no floor fence or mesh. I prefer at least 2 or 3 closeable vents in the coop to have cross ventilation. Looks like the pop door is the only fresh air source and the roost bar may fit 3 or 4 birds.

Actually it said 8-12 Bantam or 4-6 average size chickens... still more that I would try. I would drill some 1" vents at the top and cover with screen wire to allow some ventilation as you mentioned. A simple door with a latch wouldn't be a bad idea for the winter time. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[pdxchristine]

I only have 3 chickens so for me it is fine.

Yes you can leave a coop pop door open to the run provided the birds don't have sub zero drafts on them. Not a fan of the tractor in your link. The article claims that it is sized for 8 to 12 average size chickens. I would not put more than 3 or 4 in it. The pictures show chicken wire for the run. A determined predator could go though this or dig under if there is no floor fence or mesh. I prefer at least 2 or 3 closeable vents in the coop to have cross ventilation. Looks like the pop door is the only fresh air source and the roost bar may fit 3 or 4 birds.

 

[barnaclebob]

if your run is secure, you don't need a door on the coop Portand or most other areas most likely. I wouldn't put more than 4 full size hens in that tractor.

 

[conny63malies]

THis coop is not very secure. Its only chicken wire stapled to the outside of the frame. One got push or bounce by a dog/coyote/racoon and the will get through the door and then into the coop area itself. If you deceide to build it use hardware cloth and add a coop door. My kennel coop is fully enclosed , with a pop door for safety. Since i took the pics, i added a second wire covered door to the service door for ventilaton and added the hardware cloth to the top , In the future will put a Tuftex roof for added shade on.. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...icken-coop-in-ft-knox-pic-heavy#post_11263905