DLM - Where to put the board by door?

[FloodFarms]

I have seen others that put a board up right at the door/entry. However, I have my nests just off to the side of the door. Could I put the board across from the nests to the wall so I could walk in first & then step over the "DLM Wall" thing? Here's a pic of my nest/entry on the right ... I could put the board up AT the door ... but I THINK I could put the board up after the nest box so I can get in first. That would leave me a 2x4 foot section to stand in before entering. But, would that cause "issues" for my chicks?

 

[lazy gardener]

I don't quite understand what you are talking about. Is this a board to block the litter from falling out the people door when you open it? Does the door open in or out? My door opens out, so it's really not much of an issue. If the litter gets in the door way, I just push it back. But, it would not be an issue to put a board across the doorway. I have not b/c I don't want to risk tripping over it.

 

[FloodFarms]

I don't quite understand what you are talking about. Is this a board to block the litter from falling out the people door when you open it? Does the door open in or out? My door opens out, so it's really not much of an issue. If the litter gets in the door way, I just push it back. But, it would not be an issue to put a board across the doorway. I have not b/c I don't want to risk tripping over it.

Yes, this is for the people door (and chicken door - I only have one that we share). The door opens out, and the designs I have seen & have read in the discussions recommended having a board 6-10 inches high at the door to keep everything in. So, you don't have any issues with a door opening out while doing DLM?

 

[lazy gardener]

No. For the most part, I dump the leaves and other bedding material in the back of the coop under the perches. The front, where the pop door and people door is does not get very deep with the litter. If it was an issue, I would put a board across, but have not yet had to do so. Perhaps coop size enters the equation. My coop is 10 x 12.

 

[aart]

I could put the board up AT the door ... but I THINK I could put the board up after the nest box so I can get in first. That would leave me a 2x4 foot section to stand in before entering. But, would that cause "issues" for my chicks?

Either would work. The 2x4 section may not stay clear tho, they can fling a lot of bedding a long ways...but try it, see if it works for you.

 

[Alaskan]

Either would work. The 2x4 section may not stay clear tho, they can fling a lot of bedding a long ways...but try it, see if it works for you.

that is my thought... it won't stay clean for long... might as well put the board at the door.

 

[paneubert]

My door opens inward, and I find myself needing to shove my door pretty hard sometimes to gain entry if my birds have blocked things up. I keep a square shovel near the door so I can clear a path and keep the "arc" of the door low enough that I can enter. Luckily my litter is pretty light, so I am able to shove it out of the way by using the door as a giant shovel when needed. At least wide enough to slip in the crack to finish the job.

 

[FloodFarms]

that is my thought... it won't stay clean for long... might as well put the board at the door.

I was going more for safe entrance for my aunt, so the “mess” at the door isn’t as much of a concern as the tall board she would have to step over from the top of the stairs. I decided to just skip the board all together. We’ll see how things go over the next 6 months.

 

[aart]

I was going more for safe entrance for my aunt, so the “mess” at the door isn’t as much of a concern as the tall board she would have to step over from the top of the stairs.

I would try it out....it's good idea to accommodate someone who maybe does not have good mobility/footing.
You'll just have to scoop up anything that gets kicked into that entry area.
I have a dust pan for that in my coop shed.