Door on chicken coop

[Gwen]

Is it necessary to have the small door for the chickens to go thru or can you just have the big 'people' door? This would be for a walk-in coop.

I've finally found a shed I want to use for the coop and am wondering if I really need to cut in the little door. The only benefit I can see to the little chicken door is if I put it on an automatic opener, but as long as I'm opening and closing myself, can't I just open the big door and leave it open all day?

Thanks,
Gwen

 

[espressola]

Well, there are a couple of reasons to put in a smaller "pop" door- if you have lots of rain and snow that might blow in, or even cold air, or to minimize mosquitos as much as possible? You do not want your bedding to get wet, that makes an awful stink! We have a man door that has a solid part and a security screen door for breeze, and a pop door for the chickens...
Patty N. ;-)

 

[Gwen]

So maybe I could have the pop door cut into the larger main door?

Actually, I think I'm going to upgrade on the shed to a 'dutch door' which is the kind where the top opens independently from the bottom. Just because I love the look of those. Altho maybe this isn't a good idea for a chicken coop for some reason I'm not thinking of?

 

[espressola]

I think cutting the popdoor into the regular door would be fine as long as it was secure. I had considered a dutch door too- would just depend on where your "weather" comes from and how severe..
Patty N. ;-)

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I only have pop doors in my shed where there are 5 coops inside one room and pens outside each of them. All my other stationary coops have regular people doors I latch open because I go in and out so much. I collect eggs, check water and am cleaning on a regular basis. Plus, in this weather, it lets in more of a breeze.

 

[plowbouy]

I find having a small door keeps the coop cooler in the summer during the day. My 16x16 coop is built inside a 120x70 ft (open front) cattle shed. I did this so it would be protected from the weather and in the shade. They also have a 16x16 outside area to run in.

When I lock the girls up at night, I have an exhaust fan pull cool night air into the coop. In the morning I shut off the fan which keeps the cool air locked inside the coop all day long. Since I don't have the sunshine beating down on my coop, it stays nice and cool. I open the little door for them to go in and out during the day. I only open the big door when I go in and out.

They walk in and out all day, but find that on really hot days they like to stay inside. Since it is in the shade, the cement floors keep their winter cool into the summer months. The girls like to scratch through the loose wood shavings bedding and lay on the cool cement. It can be up to 10°'s cooler in the coop -vs- outside on hot summer days.

That's just my situation for what it's worth.. having a small door does help protect them from the elements/drafts etc... and in my case.. helps keep the cool air inside during the summer.

 

[CityChook]

Are you going to have a run to the side or all the way around the coop? Or none at all?

I have a pop door because it's cold in the winter and the big door would let WAY too much cold air inside.

I notice that when I leave the human door open, it has a tendency to catch in the wind and blow shut, which could be dangerous if a chook was in the way. A pop door could be easier to secure in an open position.

Regardless of where you decide to put your pop door, you will want to cut it 6-9 inches above the floor level if you plan on doing deep litter. That way the shavings don't fall out each time the door gets opened.

 

[Gwen]

The coop will sit in a run (haven't decided exactly where yet) and the run will also have an opening to a large approx 1-acre fenced area over 50% woodland) where they can free range.

I live in the PNW where extreme hot isn't an issue. It does get cold here in the winter and snows from time to time. So perhaps I'll put in the pop door to keep it warmer in the winter.

Thanks also for the tip on having it 6-9 inches above the ground.

 

[CityChook]

Sounds lovely. PS - Spent 2 years living in Capital Hill/Seattle and love Whidbey Island.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

So maybe I could have the pop door cut into the larger main door?

That's how I did mine. It works great.

It's a little hard to see, but the lower left corner swings up and latches in place when the large door is shut.