Run Door design ideas?

[llombardo]

My friend made me a door out of aluminum and I covered it with gardware cloth. It swings both ways,I prefer to push the chickens out of the way versus trying to kick(lightly) to try to get in. There are several that could easily escape when I don't want them too.

I did have problems when it got colder and trying to unlatch it and push it. I will have to readjust it so it's not as tight as it is.

 

[Steven Bussell]

I have mine swing out and I installed a door stop to hold the door open when my hands are full carrying things in. I also used self closing hinges to make sure if I did forget to lock it the wind or birds couldn't open it. My door is a 1/8" off cement pavers . I built it so I didn't have to reset them incase it sags.

 

[Alaskan]

Eh.... swinging out is much safer if something wants to jump up against the door...BUT is a royal pain once you have snow or ice.

I really like the way that I built the door to my bantam run.

The bottom part is made up of quality 2x4s that are sandwiched in between t-posts and the door frame.

If I want to roll a wheelbarrow in I slide those out.

The top part is built like a door, and it swings out. The door part is high up enough so it never gets blocked by snow or ice. So hurrah!

Yeah, yeah... not the best fencing... it is 2 layers of used fence. It has actilually kept out a bear clearly a small black. It has not kept out a couple of weasels. . ... I have since tried to reinforce a bit with hardware cloth.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Also, when you build your door. Put a 2x4 or other flat board from the top of the hinge side to the bottom of the far side. This prevents door sag away from the hinge side. Some say from the bottom hinge side to top top away said, but both work.

I build a rectangle from 2x4's and put a diagonal brace through it.

Thanks for the reminder about door sag. I used an adjustable "gate" cable for the coop.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Eh.... swinging out is much safer if something wants to jump up against the door...BUT is a royal pain once you have snow or ice.

I really like the way that I built the door to my bantam run.

The bottom part is made up of quality 2x4s that are sandwiched in between t-posts and the door frame.

If I want to roll a wheelbarrow in I slide those out.

The top part is built like a door, and it swings out. The door part is high up enough so it never gets blocked by snow or ice. So hurrah!

View attachment 1841717

Yeah, yeah... not the best fencing... it is 2 layers of used fence. It has actilually kept out a bear clearly a small black. It has not kept out a couple of weasels. . ... I have since tried to reinforce a bit with hardware cloth.

If I'm understanding this correctly, the bottom portion lifts out and the top swings out. Really clever. I'm going to need to think seriously about that solution.

 

[jreardon1918]

My door swings out. The frame at the bottom is a 2x4. Then a 2x2 that the gate closes against to increase stregth. I will be able to get a picture in a couple days. When it snows i just dig up to the gate.

I have never cleaned it the run do the lip at the gate is not a problem.
As to the bears. Don't think we're have any near us in SE mass. But I think the electric fence is your best defense for yogi and friends.

 

[Alaskan]

If I'm understanding this correctly, the bottom portion lifts out and the top swings out. Really clever. I'm going to need to think seriously about that solution.

Yep, the bottom boards lift out. The top swings out.

The bottom boards sandwiched between the t-posts and door frame are STOUT. So anything jumping or pushing against it will get nothing.

That is my best gate. It has held up very well.