Does the coop need a door that closes to keep the Chicken's inside of their house?

[jimmywalt]

I got to thinking about it. You were talking about the run, LOL yes the run should be covered.

LOL! Actually I was talking about all the wire mesh areas that are in the picture above. ;-)

 

[appps]

That looks identical to the one I originally bought but ours did have a door and was a slightly smaller size I suspect. . I built (renovated) a new one because it just didn't feel safe enough.

If it is like ours I don't think it would keep a predator out long enough to even inconvenience him. I'd be putting a door on ASAP so at least there is one more barrier to the hens.

 

[CHICKVIRGIN]

My chickens have an enclosed run with an apron of wire buried to keep predators out. So far so good. I think my husband did a great job burying the wire and predator proofing the run. But there is not a door -just the opening- to the coop. The hens go in every night and let themselves out in the am. With winter coming I'm wondering if I we need a door. It would be very difficult to put one on the exterior due to the enclosure. Would it be ok to somehow attach something to the interior that will keep out the wind and snow but that the chickens will still go in and out as they choose? Maybe some sort of rug? Thanks for any advice.

 

[drumstick diva]

I think any coop needs a door for added predator protection and to keep our blustery winds/hard driven sleet/snow. I think you could wrap the sides of the wire run - some people use heavy tarps - just don't cover the entire sides up to the top. I'd leave maybe 6-12" uncovered near top for ventilation.

 

[WYNot]

I'm totally new to raising Chickens. We started yesterday with 3 ISA Browns chicks. I purchased this coop today but it doesn't have a door that closes to keep the chickens in the coop. I see that a lot of coops do have doors that people must close.

You can see where they walk up the ramp to get into the coop, but there isn't a door over that (approx.) 12" x 12" opening.

What is the purpose of the door and is it needed or not?

We live in Michigan where winter nights get to 10 degrees.

Thank you for your help!

Just started reading this thread but we have the exact same coop. Bought it as a starter to hold the hens over till we got a proper coop built. Kept this one as a place to put chicks fresh out of the brooder and as a quarantine coop.

What we did was just stapled hardware cloth across the bottom. That way they are totally enclosed and don't have to worry about critters digging under the sides to get in.

 

[hosspak]

I'm totally new to raising Chickens. We started yesterday with 3 ISA Browns chicks. I purchased this coop today but it doesn't have a door that closes to keep the chickens in the coop. I see that a lot of coops do have doors that people must close.

You can see where they walk up the ramp to get into the coop, but there isn't a door over that (approx.) 12" x 12" opening.

What is the purpose of the door and is it needed or not?

We live in Michigan where winter nights get to 10 degrees.

Thank you for your help!




My little coop is basically the same set up, but the makers put in a sliding door, You can easily do the same.

 

[jimmywalt]

Boy this is an OLD thread.....................

I have to say, I never used the coop pictured. I returned it still in the box and built my own (see my avatar for a pic of my coop/run).

So glad that I didn't keep and try to use that little tiny coop. What a waste of money that would have been!

 

[hosspak]

Boy this is an OLD thread.....................

I have to say, I never used the coop pictured. I returned it still in the box and built my own (see my avatar for a pic of my coop/run).

So glad that I didn't keep and try to use that little tiny coop. What a waste of money that would have been!

Are you talking about this one?

My Lil sister gave this to us because her husband couldn't handle poop on his lawn. (OCD) This is perfect for young birds, quarantine, and selective breeding. The POS next to it was the cost of rescuing 5 free chickens from a lady down the street. Since then we have built an awesome coop and have enclosed both coops in a big run in the back yard.

 

[WYNot]

Not a waste of money, at least for us. Just not meant for keeping more than a bird or two. Ours makes a great transition coop from brooder to main coop/run with the rest of the girls. Also great as a quarantine coop for new or sick birds.

 

[Kyochan]

I would say it depends on predators in your area and how the weather is. We have almost no predators due to guard dogs and a donkey so our adult coop has no door on it but the grow out coop DOES have a door since the little ones needs a little extra help and get locked in during cold nights.