Ice!!

[NNYchick]

We had a thaw, then a lot of rain and a quick freeze causing a puddle to ice right in front of the coop door. It is hard to open, I can only actually open in a little bit just enough for me squeeze in. My husband wants to but pet safe salt/de-icer out there I told him no because I think it might hurt the chickens if they eat it, he says no because it’s pet safe. Who is right? Any ideas on how to fix, it’s difficult to get the waterer in when switching them out. I also don’t think his salt will work as we are going into a deep freeze tonight and staying near zero through the weekend.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would not use pet safe. The safe for pets is rated more for dogs.
While WE consider chickens pets there are those who don't.

My coop gets a sheet of ice in front of the door. It is frustrating and dangerous.
I chop at it to rough it up (hoping to break it into chunks) then I sprinkle the area with grit. Yes the same grit I use for the hens.

https://www.midlandhardware.com/179...MIhvyj4a_k3wIVBAppCh2JWAOQEAQYASABEgJUefD_BwE

This is what I use. It gives traction, absorbs ANY sun that hits it and won't hurt the birds if it gets tracked in the coop.

 

[AlleysChicks]

My big coop has a dip at the door of the run. Not only does the door freeze shut but it causes puddles to freeze on both sides. The door only opens halfway when the ground freezes. I chop the ice up and toss the chunks in the yard. If you don’t get rid of the ice you’ll keep having trouble.

 

[blackdog043]

Pet safe is for animals to walk on, I wouldn't put it down. Can you dig, scrape or chop the ground so it will be lower, to allow the door to open. Do you have a picture of the door area, to get a better idea of what your talking about.

 

[Abriana]

Get a big bucket of warm water and pour it over the ice.

 

[NNYchick]

There is a dip in the ground there from shoveling I think that is why the water pools there. I will have to see if we can break it up. The grit is a good idea. In the spring I’m going to have him take it down and shave the bottom because I think part of it might be the wood swelling too. The picture I have only shows the door in the summer and not the bottom of it, it a big door made out of 2x4.

 

[21hens-incharge]

View attachment 1639109 There is a dip in the ground there from shoveling I think that is why the water pools there. I will have to see if we can break it up. The grit is a good idea. In the spring I’m going to have him take it down and shave the bottom because I think part of it might be the wood swelling too. The picture I have only shows the door in the summer and not the bottom of it, it a big door made out of 2x4.

I see. Your door is really close to the ground.
Good plan to raise it a couple inches.

 

[NNYchick]

Ya we did that to prevent any mice from getting in, I have since screwed a 6-8" board on the inside to prevent bedding from being dragged out. I think this will prevent mice if we raise it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Ya we did that to prevent any mice from getting in, I have since screwed a 6-8" board on the inside to prevent bedding from being dragged out. I think this will prevent mice if we raise it.

Mice seem to always find a way in. If they cannot just stroll in they chew or dig in.

It can become a real battle.

 

[Acre4Me]

We have/had same issue even though our coop and door are elevated 2.5’ above ground. Coop has a 2x4 framed door, and it swells with the humidity. However, it was so much worse before we put a roof over the door area. We still get swelling if humidity is really high. We will redo the door this spring/summer, to allow it to open/close better. The roof also keeps the deck dry so no ice.

Sand can also be used in addition to the grit. Sand is used in some areas of the country on roads in the winter, to provide traction.

Stay safe around that ice!