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Thats it I have had it.

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by ridgefire, Jan 5, 2009.

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  1. Jan 5, 2009 #1
    ridgefire

    ridgefire Songster

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    Jan 8, 2008
    Northern Michigan
    This spring I am definitely going to have to redesign the coop door. Everyday I go to close it up and have to rake the shavings away from the door so it will close. See up here in Northern Michigan I have chickens who refuse to go outside but are willing to hang out in the big barn and poop all over my tractor, snowmobile, table saw, work bench, storage boxes, did I miss anything. Well they also play the game with me of hey the door is open lets see if we can rake all the shavings out of the coop and put a big ole pile in front of the door. Then they have a gall to just tilt their heads and look at me when I lock them up at night. All nice cuddled up on their perches doing the "What" look as I'm swearing and raking shavings.
     

  4. Jan 5, 2009 #2
    miss_jayne

    miss_jayne Lady_Jayne

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    Jun 26, 2008
    Columbiaville, MI
    welcome to the Michigan psychotic chicken club! [​IMG]
     
  6. Jan 5, 2009 #3
    nochickensyet

    nochickensyet In the Brooder

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    Dec 13, 2008
    Bonneau, South Carolina
    I just got a mental picture of the chickens jumpin up on all your stuff in your barn and poopin on everything !!!!
    hahahhahaaaa
     
  8. Jan 5, 2009 #4
    Namaste Mama

    Namaste Mama Songster

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    Sep 18, 2008
    AZ
    [​IMG] At least hey aren't pooping on your pool deck! Mine like to have pool parties, and they come in and eat my hibiscus and poop all over the pool deck! My husband has had it after he stepped in a giant poop with his bare feet. They are getting a newly fenced in run as we speak.
     
  10. Jan 5, 2009 #5
    Chicken Woman

    Chicken Woman Incredible Egg

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    Oct 16, 2008
    Montana
    My Montana chickens do the same ! Im always raking the shavings back in the coop so I can shut the door. My girls don't like the snow either and we have had snow on the ground for almost 5 or 6 weeks.
    I shoveled out the run today as it was pretty nice 34 degrees. I then threw some straw in the run and they spent about 3 hours spreading it all around. Funny aren't they [​IMG]
     
  12. Jan 5, 2009 #6
    FrChuckW

    FrChuckW Father to all, Dad to none

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    Sep 7, 2008
    Louisville, KY
    Build a U shaped frame out of 2 x 4's just a little wider than the door and about 1 1/2' out from the door for inside the coop. This will act as barrier, place a couple of concrete pavers inside the frame between the door and the frame. Outside the coop door place some more of the concrete pavers so that they aren't tracking mud back into the coop.
     
  14. Jan 5, 2009 #7
    SpeckledHills

    SpeckledHills Songster

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    May 25, 2008
    Idaho/Utah
    I just nail a board that is several inches high from one side of the door frame to the other right next to the ground. This greatly reduces shavings spillage.
    Best wishes!
     

  17. Jan 5, 2009 #8
    Dawn419

    Dawn419 Lost in the Woods

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    Apr 16, 2007
    Evening Shade, AR
    I had to fiqure out a way to keep the shaving from falling out of the coop after I decided to use the deep litter method. I added a thin piece of plywood (1/4") to the human door that is 10" tall and it works like a charm!

    [​IMG]

    Hope this is some help!


    Dawn
     
  19. Jan 5, 2009 #9
    Nifty-Chicken

    Nifty-Chicken Administrator Staff Member

    36,343
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    Dec 26, 2006
    California - SF East Bay
    My Coop
    I have this exact problem!!!

    I saw this image posted on BYC (can't remember where) and saved it to my computer so when I build my next coop I can incorporate it:

    [​IMG]

    I hope that helps!!!
     
  21. Jan 5, 2009 #10
    al6517

    al6517 Real Men can Cook

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    May 13, 2008
    They are just scratching and kicking the shavings in between the door, I would just rake out a semi circle inside the door that may help, and keep the cussing to a min. But they would be on the BBQ if they pooped on my tractor or tools, you are a better man than I.

    AL
     
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