Options for pop door- what works best? What about a cutout covered with a cloth?

[imnukensc]

They need a way to get in and out on the mornings and nights I am not able to get out there. Currently they only have a standard door that we've been opening and closing for them. But we're going away for a few nights next month and trying to figure out the best method.

Just cut a pop door hole in the "human" door. It'll be fine with your set up and then the chickens can come and go as they please. It'll also add a little low ventilation. If you want to add a slider or hinged cover as described in post #5 you could do that, too.

 

[Chickadooo]

We're in Michigan also!
Do you have dependable neighbors/ relatives that could help for a few days?

What part of MI are you in? We're over by the Saginaw Bay on the east side. It'll be our first winter with chickens! Had some as a kid though.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

What part of MI are you in? We're over by the Saginaw Bay on the east side. It'll be our first winter with chickens! Had some as a kid though.

We're right in the middle, Alma/Ithaca area. The east side of the state is very pretty.
I worried a lot our first winter with chickens, it's the mom in me I think.... or at least that's what I blame it on
I don't blame you for not wanting an automatic door... we looked into those and decided against it. I mean, if you have to do it then yeah, I just try to stretch our dollars and make other options work.

 

[Chickadooo]

We're right in the middle, Alma/Ithaca area. The east side of the state is very pretty.
I worried a lot our first winter with chickens, it's the mom in me I think.... or at least that's what I blame it on
I don't blame you for not wanting an automatic door... we looked into those and decided against it. I mean, if you have to do it then yeah, I just try to stretch our dollars and make other options work.

I'm all for stretching dollars!! We made feeders and waterers from buckets and those plastic things you put under plants to keep the water from seeping out. I wonder if there's a name for those...lol
My husband has been thinking of doing a project with our 9 year old, making a raspberry pi automatic door.. But it'll take a while and we need something soon cuz we're going away. Those smarties and their good ideas!
Yeah I'll probably be worrying alot this winter too, but I'm trying to keep in mind that they have eachother to keep warm and they don't need heat unless it's really really exceptionally cold.. Right? My stepdad spoiled our chickens when I was a kid, they always had heat lamps. Which is fine, but I would be more worried that it'd start a fire.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

I'm all for stretching dollars!! We made feeders and waterers from buckets and those plastic things you put under plants to keep the water from seeping out. I wonder if there's a name for those...lol
My husband has been thinking of doing a project with our 9 year old, making a raspberry pi automatic door.. But it'll take a while and we need something soon cuz we're going away. Those smarties and their good ideas!
Yeah I'll probably be worrying alot this winter too, but I'm trying to keep in mind that they have eachother to keep warm and they don't need heat unless it's really really exceptionally cold.. Right? My stepdad spoiled our chickens when I was a kid, they always had heat lamps. Which is fine, but I would be more worried that it'd start a fire.

Yes, heat lamps can be dangerous. Our chickens don't have any heat in the winter, we have cold hardy breeds mostly.
I sure hope you can find something that'll work for you!
There is also a Michigan thread on BYC if you'd like to join us on there