coop door that hinges off as a ramp

[babychickens321]

would it be a good idea to have a door that folds downwards to create a ramp for the chickens and then folds back up to serve as a door?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Ugh, this is what my husband is doing next... for an A frame tractor.

I did have to lock previous swinging doors open to stop them from blowing closed due to wind and shutting everyone out. I guess that won't be an issue now, with a dual purpose ramp/door!

It's a fine idea for saving materials! I don't see any reason it couldn't be as predator proof as any other door type.

I do also think it will work nicely for movable tractors..

I just hate the thought of poop hanging on the inside when folded up. This being my MAIN gripe about the concept. Overall, posting this has softened my perception some.

One other dislike I have about things opening downward (lay boxes for example) is shavings, bedding, etc.. clogging the folding point and preventing full closure without some wiping, swiping, etc. Leaving a non moving lip inside the door opening could likely prevent this.

And perhaps another, possibly final concern.. if it's not under a covered roof portion, then I wouldn't want the rain water folding back into my coop here in the Pacific Northwest. Fortunately, hubby has that part planned to.

Hope this helps give you some ideas. It's been surprisingly therapeutic for me!

Post pics or drawings and share your process/outcome with us!

Happy adventures!

 

[3KillerBs]

A drawbridge style door is a perfectly fine idea as long as you can make sure it will close securely -- keeping bedding out of the hinges and latching securely when closed.

One of it's advantages is that *most* predators are more likely to push in than pull out (except raccoons, of course), so if you design the closing and latching system well it's more difficult to defeat.

 

[StinkyAcres]

It's useful if you don't want to enter the coop to open the door. I had a door like that and can confirm what was said above - they do poop on it and move the bedding in the way. The bedding wasn't a huge deal to sweep off with my hands...the poop, however, was disgusting.

 

[McChooky]

I have 2 of those doors in my coop(one goes to the backyard and the other goes to the run) My chicken tractor has a sliding door so I back it up to the coop door that swings open (to load & unload the chickens)The ramp door prevents me from getting close enough.

 

[Beaker99]

I have an A frame tractor and my husband did this on both sides. They have a latch plus carabineer for security.