Regular Screen door on the run?

[ChickiChica]

We're in the process of putting our run together and I'm wondering if anyone has used a regular old aluminum framed screen door on their run? Our coop is inside the run, which is fully enclosed on all sides, and the top is clear plastic roofing. Our intention is to build the run predator proof enough that we don't have to close the door to the coop itself every night. Will a screen door, with a strong additional latch perhaps - work, or is it not predator proof enough? Any experience with this?
Thanks!

 

[VelvettFog]

Raccoon will walk right through standard 'screen'.

 

[ChickiChica]

I was planning to add additional screening to the door, probably hardware cloth. Do you think that would do it?

 

[seramasrus]

I have had possums get through a standard screen door on my back porch before.

 

[jtbrown]

We just built/are building our coop, but it is in use now. We bought a standard cheapy screen door (the slamming kind I had when I was a kid, I love it). WE kept utility door closed til I could fix it, but I took 1/2 inch hardware cloth, used 1 x 2 or 1 x 3 slats my husband got from packing material at work (was in dumpster) and first stapled hardware cloth on to get it on there, then used screws every 12 inches to tack strips over the hardware cloth on to the wooden door to strengthen it. I put a latch just below the door handle that turns and "locks" as well as a slide bolt on bottom of door so nothing could "pull" the screen door open (it's not that flimsy, I am just being careful). Only thing is, I haven't used utility door since then, and found that I am going to have to notch the area where the utility door handle is as the screen door won't shut with the utility door shut (only will be a problem when winter comes, I will fix it before then). It worked great. Added lots of summer time ventilation.

Hope that helps, I hope I explained it well. Good luck. Also -- predators can come right through the screen door, also my bantums ate a screen that I had in the coop (had hardware cloth on other side so they didn't get out), but they lived and it was weeks ago.

 

[Renthorin]

What about regular chicken wire? Is that strong enough to protect from racoons?

If your screen door is wood maybe you can add a layer of chicken wire and secure the edges over the door with slats of wood?

 

[Kudzu]

I have posted this before, but an old-timer told me to enjoy my chickens, but everything wants to eat them. So, when you are building your coop/run keep that in mind.

 

[kimntep]

We have a standard aluminum screen door, reinforced with hardware cloth and a slide bolt at the bottom because it will begin to bow from heat, cold, humidity, etc. and you don't want anything to squeeze in on the bottom! We've not had a single issue in almost a year of its existence and it sure makes it easy for cleaning and daily maintenance.

 

[zengrrl]

CHicken wire or regular screen will be easy for any predator to get through. Hardware cloth is your best bet. My door to my run will be just the wood frame but full hardware cloth. My boss also told me to enjoy my sweet little chicks bc something will def eat them!