Coop door

[rowechicks]

We are working on designing our first coop and were wondering if we really need to close the door at night. I would in the winter to help retain heat, but do I need to all year?

 

[flyin-lowe]

Which door are you talking about, I assume the small "pop" door that the chickens use and not a large walk in door?? Assuming you have a run that is secured there is not a real need to close the door other then a little added insurance. I live in Indiana and don't even have a way to close mine as my run is totally wrapped in hardware cloth. Even during the winter there is not need to close it. The coop has to have ventilation, unless you live in a very very cold environment, most hardy breeds will do just fine. We had temps well below zero with wind chills around -20 degrees this winter a few times and I kept the windows open on my coop, plus there is ventilation along the top and the eaves under my overhang are open. Sealing it up in the winter will cause more issues then the cold temps will IMO.

 

[rowechicks]

Thank you! I am talking about the pop door, though it's more from laziness. I don't want to get up at dawn and we can't afford an automatic.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Thank you! I am talking about the pop door, though it's more from laziness. I don't want to get up at dawn and we can't afford an automatic.

Do you have electric in your coop? We bought an Add-a-Motor chicken door opener, paired with a cheap lamp timer and connected it to our existing popdoor. The motor is available at Amazon for less that $100.

We've had ours for 2 years, works great.

 

[rowechicks]

I'll look into it. The only way we will get electricity there is by extension cord, though.

 

[snow5164]

We close our swing door if it's going to be cold but we don't lock it ,because it's dark out they stay in and sleep but when the sun comes up my girls open the door themselves

,

I wouldn't spend that much on an automatic door , too many other things to buy for them.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Quote:

 

[9blessings]

Thinking of running an extension cord to your coop PLEASE PLAY IT SAFE.

Hardly a year goes by without a "COOP FIRE". Electricity is a fact of life and as long as it is used in a responsible and safe manner a lot of coop fires can be prevented.

Whether chicken or birds need supplement heat or not becomes irrelevant.
Some bird owners will continue to provide it.

If we could get manufactures to provide a "SAFETY CHAIN" in addition to the hanging bracket or at least a warning of the need of one on brooder and heat lamps it would go a long way in preventing "SOME" coop fires. Coop fires are also started with incandescent bulbs as well that were in need of a "SAFETY CHAIN".


Another safe guard would be to have people use "GROUND FAULT" outlets (are code now in all bathrooms) when running extension cords to their coop or out buildings. The inconvenience of loosing power to your out building is far better than what can happen. Chickens do attract rodents which can initiate fires through extension cords.




SMART Chicken owners can ill afford "NOT" Employing both of these safe guards when running electricity to a coop especially when using extension cords. Many times either of these two devices would have went along way in preventing most coop fires.

We just re-wired our coop, installing a GFCI outlet that is protected from dust by an outdoor cover. It really costs just a few dollars more to create a much safer situation.

 

[flyin-lowe]

I assume you are free ranging and not having any type of run?

 

[rowechicks]

We will have an enclosed run. 8 foot by 12 foot. We can only have 9 chickens and no roosters where we live.