How Do I teach my chickens to use new pop door?

[eggsamillion]

I've finally got the pop door (4 way locking petsafe cat door) installed in my coop today. I'm wondering how my chickens will do in learning to use it to go in and out. Is this something that they figure out pretty quickly, or do they have to be taught. What if they won't use it? Does that ever happen?

Thanks!

 

[Hokum Coco]

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[Hokum Coco]

I'm wondering how my chickens will do in learning to use it to go in and out. Is this something that they figure out pretty quickly, or do they have to be taught.
Thanks!

I have a guillotine type door and it is either open or closed. If I was faced with such a problem I would Brace it partially open with something and put down a feed trail and gradually shorten the brace until they get the idea of pushing through it.

 

[aart]

Never heard of anyone using a cat door.....but Hokum's suggestion is a good one, tho it will only work in one direction....let us know how it works out.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The 4-way lock is: in only, out only, open, and locked. It can be a two-way door.

I agree. Hokum's idea should work. I can't come up with anything better.

 

[aart]

For a pop door don't you want it to swing both ways all the time so they can go in and out of coop as they desire?

 

[happyhens1972]

Presumably she would want to lock it off at night. It could also be handy to have the 'in only' if you wanted to trap them for any reason....for de-lousing for example....they could walk in but not get back out again until you chose to let them.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I've finally got the pop door (4 way locking petsafe cat door) installed in my coop today. I'm wondering how my chickens will do in learning to use it to go in and out. Is this something that they figure out pretty quickly, or do they have to be taught. What if they won't use it? Does that ever happen? I think It just dawned on me! I may try that door for my pigeon loft. I like the options available it proviedes. I think it will highly superior to my bob system I have now. Thank you for posting Eggsamillion! Also for thinking out of the box.

Thanks!