Egg collecting door

[Rick68]

Okay BYC...again I'm the new guy on the block...Still have questions.

I've looked at ALOT of coop designs, and I have to wonder why do all (seems like all) the exterior egg collecting doors hinge up? I was thinking of having mine hinge down so there is no need to hold it open???

Also would still like to hear thoughts on the mercury light being right next to the coop...Will it affect the roosting habits?

Thanks for all the great info.

Rick

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
As long as you have a correclty-flashed fairly-well-protruding 'cap' over it to redirect all the weather running down the side of the coop so it doesn't drip in the door crack, sure, there is no reason you couldn't do that.

Also would still like to hear thoughts on the mercury light being right next to the coop...Will it affect the roosting habits?

As long as it's not shining right in a window it is not likely to have adverse affects. You woudlnt' be the first person with a security light near the coop, and I don't recall hearing anyone report problems.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[gryeyes]

I'd put a chain with a hook and eye clasp to hold it open whilst you are gathering eggs, if you think it will take a couple of minutes and you don't want to hold it open that long.

I want my exterior egg gathering door to open UP because I can be easily distracted (by my dogs dashing between my feet, butterflies, hummingbirds, tree frogs, the phone ringing, oh a whole boatload of things) and if the door's default is in the down/open position, I might walk away from it in some elderly or otherwise bemused moment and leave it that way.

But that's just me.

 

[mikecnorthwest]

There were several posts recently from people who had exterior nest boxes which were leaking water. If you go exterior then just be sure to keep that in mind.

 

[drewva]

My coop door opens down. As you say, it frees up your hands to do other tasks.
You will need some kind of flashing or overhang over the top of the door to keep out the weather.
see this Ark design for a clever idea:
http://handcraftedcoops.com/small-portable-chicken-coop