Screw myself out of deep litter?

[kira782]

It's amazing. No matter how long and hard I thought about all the little details I wanted my coop (https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=542609) to have I still forgot to raise the pop door so I can do deep litter! Currently it sits flush with the ground and measures 13" x 16". The opening is framed in place so moving it is more trouble than it is worth. If I put a 6" board in front of it will my large breed chickens be able to squeeze through a 10" high opening? I'm new to chickens and can't quite grasp of how big a full grown one is or how they maneuver!

 

[Mac in Wisco]

No big deal. They still go through the opening. Our hens will sneak through under a 3" to 4" gap. Later, if you think it's too much of a bottleneck, just remove the board. Yes, some litter will spill out, no big deal.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

We did the same thing! The door is flush with the floor and we have pine in the run always. I guess when someone asks the question..."what would you change if you were to build your coop over" we know what to tell them!

 

[Mia_]

I am new to chickens, but last week I had to increase the door from 10" to 12" (or was it 12" to 14"?) because they were rubbing their backs on the top of the door. At that point, the chickens were 6 weeks old. I should say that they are CornishX, but I expect my Dark Cornish to at least be that size when full grown.

I need to do some research but, could you not put so much litter in front of the door? Like make a little ramp of littler inside the door? If you are doing shavings, I would think the chickens would be swimming in it, but I think for straw, it would work well.

 

[silkiechicken]

I've had my 10.5 lb rooster squeeze his fat butt through a 7x9 inch nest box hole, 10x13 is plenty large for the birds to get in and out of.

 

[fireguy56]

Hey, They will get thru. Not to worry. When they are ready to get out, they'll get out.
Erik

 

[kira782]

I think I just answered my own question! If I build an interior barrier like this using 4x6s that should give the chickens enough room to hop down and out right? Can anyone think of a downside to this approach?

 

[Farmer_Dan]

Quote:
4 X 6's ? --- downsides = Weight & wood cost. -- I would probably opt for 1X6 fencing boards.

 

[kira782]

Sorry, I meant 2x6, my brain isnt working! I have a spare one from the roof I believe.

 

[Tracyree]

I think that's a great solution, thats what I was going to suggest.