Do I need a opo door on my hoop coop?

[littleredhen3]

My coop is pretty much built. It just needs a door and to be covered with chicken wire, which will also be buried around the perimeter. I'm trying to keep it simple and safe so, for instance, I decided to have interior-only access to nest boxes, since I'll be going inside daily to check on food and water anyway.

In that vein, is there an advantage to having a pop door, or should I just prop open the human door when I want to let them range? i can't really think of a reason to have one, but i thought I'd ask in case I'm overlooking something.

If I add one at this point, it would have to be like a doggy door in the human door.

 

[joan1708]

I think -- If they always get out through their own pop door, they won't "rush" the people door every time you go through it.

 

[jeffreyhall]

What about this idea. I have built a large penthouse of a coop under the barn. 8' high walls. I was thinking about a small opening (whole) at about the 5 1/2' - 6' level. I doubt a skunk, cat, or dog would or could jump up to a small perch outside the opening for the hens to fly up to before hopping through the entry into the coop.

 

[jaj121159]

I agree with Joan. Put a pop door next to the human door or in the back. One other suggestion is to use a door closer on your human door. I make my hoop coop doors out of cattle panels, so I just hook a rubber strap on the "wall" and the door. Works great. when I walk through the door it closes behind me.