Gate to the run... Open in? Or open out? Does it matter?

[Cebarmlds]

My door to the run opens in and it helps to keep them inside while I'm entering, it's about 4 inches off the ground so it doesn't ice up in the winter. You can put a small triangular piece of plywood in the upper corner so a large animal can't push it in if that is a concern.

 

[Cebarmlds]

K maybe I'm looseing my mind... my run door opens outwards not in! I wanted it to open in but my hubby said it had to open out for some reason and I don't remember his reasoning. I'd ask him but he's working on another project and I can't bother him with trivial stuff

 

[mickey328]

I would have it open outward. If the birds are massed up on the inside, it'd be difficult to open...likewise if there were bedding or something else in front of it opening in, it could present a problem.

 

[HouseMouseHens]

We have a large door on our run, and we originally put it on swinging in, but after using it once, realized that it needed to swing out. If your girls are standing near the door when you come in, they kind of get swept out of the way if it goes in.

 

[KrisH]

Have it open out and put an old fashioned screen door spring on it so it is self closing and you wont forget to close it and let chickens get out.

same here, but i also added molding so the door cannot be forced the wrong way as in a preditor. and the spring keeps me from needing a second hand to close the door.

PS careful with the latch. it is easy fro the door to slam and the slide bolt to shut just enough to lock you in. a cell phone comes in handy, we have learned and now use a brass snap to LOCK THE BOLT OPEN.

RobertH

 

[pigeonguy]

Mine opens both ways in and out and it depends on what I am doing as to which way I open it.

 

[MyLittleRedCoop]

I totally laughed when I saw this!! ^^^^^
So, just tonight, my Hubby put the new gate/door (a wooden one from Menards, reinforced with metal fabric) into the frame he made for the run, and asked about the next item up on the plate of decisions: Latches. I knew that one little hook and eye wasn't going to cut it. He suggested putting in one of those drop-down bolts. My first thought was that it might freeze up in the winter, (we live in Mn) especially with it pointing down. It never even occured to me that I could get locked in!! Hmmm... May need to re-think that one! Because, knowing me, if it's ridiculous and even remotely possible, it will happen.
If people have thoughts on latch styles and their effectiveness in snowy, cold climates, that would be great!
What about either a gate latch?


or a locking hasp?


Oh, and we went with opening IN. Mostly because pretty much our entire property is on a slope, and it turns out that the hill was in the way...

We're going to put stops in along the opening side and corners. So hopefully that will take care of any critters trying to get in... And we put a spring on it, as suggested! Tried it out and it's awesome! Except that we need one more handle for the inside. Lol. And the aforementioned latch.

 

[fairytails]

Welcome! I personally would go with the locking hasp since you asked. I have one gate with the other kind, when it is just a tiny bit off vertically it is maddening that it will not stay latched. Another reason: if you accidentally drop a lock in the snow or whatever for the hasp type-- grap a nice stick of the right size to shove through the hole and you have an instant temporary fix for the "locking" hasp. I did that with a shed and it still held shut through the worst of weather. Think about what kind may be easier for you in gloved fingers, too. Oh, it's coming, a real bad winter to expect here in northland.

 

[KrisH]

we used this because it gives options for mounting. but learned to latch open and closed. do not enter run without securing or you can get locked in.

 

[amenfarm]

We have the 2 gate latches on the run door, my husband ran a string to it, so when I let them out to free range- I pull the string through,and the door it shuts behind me I can still get in. I can also walk around the barn, through the gate and into the barn door to get back in. If we decide they don't work, we're back to the spring type I picked out.
The previous post has the type we used on both dutch doors and the donkey's stall. Works wonderful!! If they get frozen in the winter weather just use a little oil or white grease on them to keep them from freezing up.