How would you make this opening predator proof?

[EmmaDonovan]

The chickens will be sleeping in there and the gaps on the top, bottom and sides of the door are obviously way too big to keep predators out.

If we replaced this door with one that's predator proof, what kind of door would that be? I'd prefer something metal that we didn't have to build.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Some ideas I've gathered here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-gaps-in-my-coops-door.1660574/#post-28551336 but if you want it to be as secure as possible, you'd need to build a wood frame around it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Not sure how you could fashion it with metal. If possible, I'd try building it like a hoop coop door. Some examples and links below may give you some ideas.

IF you wanted to do metal, you could probably find galvanized fencing tubing at Lowes/HD, cut and use fittings to extend/expand the door to fit more snuggly, but you'd have to keep in mind that settling may occur (with any door), so you'd want a way to adjust fit as needed.

Are you going to cover the structure/pen with hardware cloth? While the framework of those do seem pretty good, I've seen quite a few folks using them, the wire that is also included is thin chicken wire which can easily break or be torn, so covering with a sturdier wire would be something to consider doing as well.

You may find that just building your own hoop coop may be just as easy or use that framework as a starter and add some cattle panels to make it sturdier. A lot would depend on your climate and the location of the pen/coop too. If you have a lot of snow/ice or wind, etc., you want the structure as solid as you can make it, this way it will last for years to come.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mos-cattle-panel-hoop-coops.73385/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Has anyone tried using a security door as a coop door?

 

[Ted Brown]

@Wyorp Rock @Nifty-Chicken

You made my eyes mist! God how I miss aart's sharp but brilliant "tongue". March is not far away, she should be memorialized.

 

[Sefirothe]

If you aren’t dead set on that specific run, keep looking and you can find ones with smaller gaps around the door.

The one I got only had a slightly large gap at the top of the door that I didn’t do anything about because we don’t have any weasel type predators here.

 

[AntiqueB]

What predators you have definitely makes a difference. I have a run like that, covered in hwc, with the hwc on the door larger than the door itself. The hwc attached to the door overlaps that on the run, covering gaps. It's enough for where I am.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

What predators you have definitely makes a difference. I have a run like that, covered in hwc, with the hwc on the door larger than the door itself. The hwc attached to the door overlaps that on the run, covering gaps. It's enough for where I am.

How do you keep the extra HWC around the opening from ripping you to shreds when you go in and out? I’d probably bleed out within a week.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock @Nifty-Chicken

You made my eyes mist! God how I miss aart's sharp but brilliant "tongue". March is not far away, she should be memorialized.

Ted, I sure do miss her too, I for one have certainly not forgotten her.

I'm not sure if you've seen the "In Memoriam" page in the Family Life forums or not. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/in-memoriam.590996/

A link to saying Goodbye to Anne (Aart) can also be found here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/goodbye-aart.1667789/

 

[AntiqueB]

How do you keep the extra HWC around the opening from ripping you to shreds when you go in and out? I’d probably bleed out within a week.

This, around parts I need to access. Nothing around edges I don't -- let the raccoons get shredded!

Actually, I used that at first. After I got used to working with the stiffness and how to get in there, I don't bother anymore.