Marital debate: exterior egg door or not?

[lunkerchicken]

I'm an outdoor nesting box access guy - don't give up!

 

[NellaBean]

I am working on exterior nesting boxes as I like to go out of town even for just a day or two and have to have my very chicken unfriendly family take care of the animals. I can make sure they have extra food and water, but if eggs need to be collected? They need to be able to get them from the outside. My family has never touched a chicken, I can't ask them to go in and fight off the angry roosters to get some eggs.

 

[mmtillman]

Quote:
I agree ...I feel bad if I dont go in and check the girls when I gather eggs. I guess I have a bond with them and it is my time to socialize with them....I talk to them and give them attention daily....Cause

...they are not just chickens....they are my pets??

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Thanks for all the insight!!!!!

So what's YOUR problem. Just make sure that it's HIS job to walk inside the coop to gather the eggs everyday and get poo all over his newly-polished shoes. Why would YOU care.

This is very good ammunition - will definitely hit home!!

Although the point about the exterior door being a point of predator weakness is of interest - is it possible that a raccoon could actually lift such a door?????

Decision has to be made by tomorrow....still touch and go, I think.​

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I think as long as you're building it, go ahead and put it in. It would be easier for the kids but make sure that it has a preditor proof lock that the kids use.

Personally, I like to go in the coop every morning to open the poop door that I have locked on the inside. I check food, water, chicks, check the poo before scraping into a bucket while its fresh and not dried on, etc.

 

[consdrs]

I love outside nest box access. I usually head out to the coop in the morning holding a cup of coffee, in my jammies and slippers. I do not want to go in. that is for later in the day when I'm dressed. It rains here a lot and when I go in the coop when its wet (note always) I end up with shavings stuck to my shoes and it makes a mess outside the coop with shavings everywhere. I hate chicken dust on my clothes. it is one thing to stick your head in the door to make sure everything is fine and another to physically go in. My next coop will be a reach in only and its almost done!!

Connie

 

[taxus812]

"Although the point about the exterior door being a point of predator weakness is of interest - is it possible that a raccoon could actually lift such a door?????"

Yes they can. I have a hasp with a locking clip on mine. You can see it in the picture. (Mine is an exterior hanging egg box, because I need floor space).

As far as insulating the door, It is made of 3/4 cabinet grade plywood. (or you could make a frame and sandwitch insulation between two peices of plywood.)

 

[BlackBart]

I put spring hooks an either side of my egg door and sometimes I have trouble opening them! doubt a Raccoon could.

 

[gaberdeen]

Have to vote for the outside doors. Put them on my coop and I'm glad I did.

 

[EweSheep]

I'd rather have an exterior egg door than the one inside. You can poke your head inside to see whats going on. All my egg collection is thru the coop into a box and still have poop on my boots.

Weatherproofing and predator proofing would be thoughtfully planned out. Use latches that coons can not play with to get it open. Weather proofing, any good contractors can tell you a few tips such as a piece of rubberized sheeting over the hinge part will keep the rain out. make sure it is sealed right too.