How do you keep your pop door from freezing?

[Dooner]

My chicken door is on the outside of the coop and it slides up and down in a wooden track. I have a rope with pulley to raise and lower from the other side of the coop (the chicken door side is hard to get to in the best of weather.). I live in the mild weather state of Wisconsin and I will bet you the door is going to freeze up on me in the winter. Any suggestions?

 

[hcppam]

good question!

 

[rittert3]

If you have elecricity in the coop you could point a heat lamp at it other wiise I would say you would have to thaw it with hot water.

 

[goldies99]

you could nail a tarp over the door...it wont be pretty but it might keep the snow and ice out....allowing the door to slide

 

[gale65]

hmm hadn't thought of that. Is it less likely to freeze up if it's inside? Is there a way you can switch it to the inside?

 

[Dooner]

Quote:
I think that might be the best solution. I will have to add this to my list of things I would have done differently.

 

[teach1rusl]

Both of my pop door slide up on the inside. But you have a really nice overhang on that side; Why do you think it'll freeze up?? Does the wind/snow blow against that side??? If not, I'd think you'll be okay.

 

[carladababe]

Great question. Mine is on the inside and have been complaining that it would be easier if it were on the outside. I hadn't thought about the freezing weather. I would think that inside the coop wouldn't be freezing so easier to open.

 

[kfacres]

paint it black, so it thaws out sooner...

is yours on the east or west? that would matter??

i grew up in S. IL, which has tons more ice than WI-- and I think I only remember one time having a pop door freeze shut.. mine was on west side, so shaded in the a.m. heated in the p.m.

 

[rungirl]

I built the tracks on the inside of the coop. I open it from inside also, but I've seen some people who have a small hole above the door and a string or chain that they pull from the outside to open it. You could do that with your also by drilling a little hole and pulling the string through it.

Lisa