Coop door help!

[flyin-lowe]

I too have my run completely covered in hardware cloth. My pop door is open all year round. Many predators are strictly nocturnal but larger dogs, coyotes, foxes, other predators that are capable of busting into a covered run could do so during the day when the chicks are in the run.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

thanks for the advice! do you think netting over the top if it is about 8 feet tall is sufficient to keep predators out as long as the bottom 3 feet (as I've seen recommended) is hardware cloth and the rest of the sides is welded wire? Or would all need to be hardware cloth?

Absolutely use 15 or 19 gauge HC over the top and I would cover the bottom as well. My run is currently 8 x 14 feet and I've seen mouse tunnels under the HC.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

I went the first year going out every morning opening the doors, filling the feeders/checking the water and throwing out some leftovers while a friend of mine decided to automate. She did all her filling etc at night. She had the best of luck, with a couple rats but nothing bigger and she got to sleep in!! I became so jealous, my husband who had worked on a solar lighting and fan system added a pop door - was nervous at first, but LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it and though I still go out and fill everything in the morning, it isn't on the suns schedule it is on mine!!

 

[imnukensc]

thanks for the advice! do you think netting over the top if it is about 8 feet tall is sufficient to keep predators out as long as the bottom 3 feet (as I've seen recommended) is hardware cloth and the rest of the sides is welded wire? Or would all need to be hardware cloth?

I don't see a need for or the expense of all HWC especially since the bottom 3 feet has it. I would use 2x3 or 2x4 welded wire.

 

[tYarisdaprincess]

I went the first year going out every morning opening the doors, filling the feeders/checking the water and throwing out some leftovers while a friend of mine decided to automate. She did all her filling etc at night. She had the best of luck, with a couple rats but nothing bigger and she got to sleep in!! I became so jealous, my husband who had worked on a solar lighting and fan system added a pop door - was nervous at first, but LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it and though I still go out and fill everything in the morning, it isn't on the suns schedule it is on mine!!

Thanks for the comment! I'm sorry for asking, but what exactly is a pop door?

 

[Alaskan]

thanks for the advice! do you think netting over the top if it is about 8 feet tall is sufficient to keep predators out as long as the bottom 3 feet (as I've seen recommended) is hardware cloth and the rest of the sides is welded wire? Or would all need to be hardware cloth?

A netting top and walls like you describe is a great DAYTIME run. But, I would not have the coop open to such a run 24/7.

You can always divide your run into 2 sections. A more secure part that is roofed and hardware cloth that they can access 24/7, and a bigger area like you described for daytime.

A pop door is the little chicken door.

 

[tYarisdaprincess]

A netting top and walls like you describe is a great DAYTIME run. But, I would not have the coop open to such a run 24/7.

You can always divide your run into 2 sections. A more secure part that is roofed and hardware cloth that they can access 24/7, and a bigger area like you described for daytime.

A pop door is the little chicken door.

Oh, great idea on dividing the run! I'll have to look up a pop door lol

 

[tYarisdaprincess]

Absolutely use 15 or 19 gauge HC over the top and I would cover the bottom as well. My run is currently 8 x 14 feet and I've seen mouse tunnels under the HC.

Do you use 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch?

 

[masonrenosolomon]

I am also wondering about an automatic door. My chicks are coming tomorrow. Ordered one of those ecoflex coops butvdecided I’ll use it for pullers to learn to roost Haven’t put it together yet tho to c if any of it’s broken or missing. But we are going to build a coop for adults. I’m wondering what size door I’ll need for them I’ve read a standard size is 10 x 10. Is this accurate? N what size door will I have to cut out in the coop for the automatic door to fit properly? Also when door closes at night, what if a chicken or two are trapped outside for the night? It’ll be in a predator proof run but still. Poor thing will be scared n stressed all night by itself Oh my. I do worry a lot. . And thanks ahead for your response.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I’ve read a standard size is 10 x 10. Is this accurate? N what size door will I have to cut out in the coop for the automatic door to fit properly? Also when door closes at night, what if a chicken or two are trapped outside for the night? It’ll be in a predator proof run but still.

I wouldn't cut an opening until after you order an auto door (or build it, either way), because they're all slightly different sizes. Once you have it cut the opening to match the door you have.

Yes chickens can occasionally get "locked out" but if the door is set up correctly it shouldn't be a normal thing. This is why I do a head count each night after the door closes, we have a camera in the coop and make sure everyone is on the roost.

Obviously in a worst case scenario you're not home and a chicken gets locked out and has to sleep outside, but unless you already have a lot of predators eyeballing your flock, they'll likely make it through the night ok.