Run Door design ideas?

[NHMountainMan]

The 13 pullets are in the coop and the run will be done in another day or two. The run is covered with 1/2" hardware cloth, with a 36" skirt around the entire coop and run. Nothing should dig through - a buried skirt is impossible - they call New Hampshire the Granite state for a reason - ledge everywhere.

I'm struggling with door design for the run. I think swinging out makes sense, in case a bear happens to get through the electric fence - outward seems stronger. The question is how to secure the bottom of the door. I want to be able to clean easily - so I don't want to completely block the threshold. But that seems like a small predator (weasel, snake) could possibly sneak into any gap.

Any ideas or examples I can copy? if you've got a great solution - would love to see a picture or link to a posted run design. I'm hoping to finish this weekend so they can.

Thanks for the help - love this community and the support of a first time chicken owner.

 

[BYCforlife]

If you could dig down even 3 or 4 inches, you could bury a 2 by 4 and have it level with the ground, and then screw your wire skirt to that. The door could be made to be very close to the ground so nothing could slip between the skirt and the door.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, create a door sill out of a 2x4 or 4x4. I used a 4x6. Use treated lumber. You could pour a concrete sill or make one out of brick and mortar. Position it so the bottom of the door hits an inch or two of the vertical side of the sill, sealing the opening. The sill sticking up an inch or two is not going to make cleaning the run that much harder, I doubt you will even notice it. Firmly attach that sill.

Swinging out makes more sense if you plan to use deep litter or some type of bedding in the run. That way it will not block the door swing. If bear gets past the electric wire and wants inside I don't think door swing will really matter. But yes, it will be a bit stronger.

 

[aart]

Swinging out make sense if you live in snow country, especially if your run is uncovered.
I made a paver entry/threshold....had to extend it to the inside, twice, with bricks then vertical pavers held in place with rebar, because of the chickens prodigious excavation skills.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Thanks for the ideas. I think I get the concepts- tight threshold with no area that the chickens themselves could dig to widen the gap. Really helpful. Hadn't thought about digging from the inside!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Swinging out is nice. My chickens mob me at the door. Swinging out means I am not ever pushing them so I can get in.





Edited due to autocorrect .

 

[aart]

Hadn't thought about digging from the inside!

Oh they do dig!!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/excavation-by-birds-a-word-of-warning.1086535/
I have a pile of bricks and pavers and chunks of stone/concrete to toss into 'holes in the wrong place'.

 

[archeryrob]

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.

 

[HopeSprings]

I used a wooden screen door, removed the screen and added hardware cloth, and have a 2x4 threshold with the hc apron attached.

 

[HopeSprings]

Two different latches make it difficult for critters to open ... hopefully impossible to open!