Random question: Can you train a chicken to use a cat door?

[Nonny]

I was thinking about coop designs and wondered whether anyone had used a cat door for their chooks to get into the coop?

 

[spotstealer]

It would work, the chicks pick up pretty quick. I would be concerned about predators though.

 

[Nonny]

Ah yes - predators. I knew there would be a reason I hadn't heard of this before! LOL

Our coop is woefully inept and I want to try and build one (one day!) but the coop would be in a secure enclosed run that would be predator proof... was thinking of a way the girls could get in and out without having a wide open door or the expense of an automatic one. We have very warm weather so keeping out the cold isn't an issue.

 

[Horizon Structures]

I imagine if you REALLY predator-proof the coop and run, you'll be fine as far as hens go. I would keep the door in the middle of the run as opposed to on the side next to the fence. That way if something does manage to reach through the fence the hens can get inside without having to get close to it? That's what I would think, anyway. I'm not sure what type of wildlife you have in Australia, haha.

That said, I'm not so sure your feed and eggs would be so safe. I imagine that if hens can freely go in and out, snakes and mice / rats probably could too. But a door open all day wouldn't necessarily prevent that either, although it would help at night, when those animals are often active.

 

[chickenbythesea]

not sure what brisbane's like for snakes but australia's got lots so I would imagine something secure so they couldn't get in to steal the eggs or the chickens....