What About a Foyer?

[fuzzi]

I have the hoop up for my new coop, not yet added the ends.

Would an entryway or foyer separator at the human door be advisable? Maybe just some bird netting about 2' in from the human door to keep them from flying out when I go in?

Have any of you done that, or seen it done?

Just thinking here.

 

[sourland]

If large enough, it could also double as a storage area.

 

[Brooks_]

You could do a double door system (I would say chicken wire over netting), but that tells me you plan to keep them confined. Could you tell me more about the coop (square feet), how many birds, plans/goals?

 

[fuzzi]

You could do a double door system (I would say chicken wire over netting), but that tells me you plan to keep them confined. Could you tell me more about the coop (square feet), how many birds, plans/goals?

I'm still in the planning stage. The cattle panels are in place, attached to 2x4x16' Ptx lumber, see photo in the OP.

Hoop coop is 16'x9', 6' high. It will be mostly open, with the far end partially enclosed. That's where the nesting boxes and roosts will be located. At the other end is the human door.

I was planning on housing 6-8 bantam hens on deep litter of grass clippings, leaves, straw.

I will not be allowing them free range at all as there are too many predators in the area.

One of my diagrams, but subject to change (as it has, from 12' to 16'):

 

[Brooks_]

I'm still in the planning stage.

Hoop coop is 16'x9', 6' high. It will be mostly open, with the far end partially enclosed. That's where the nesting boxes and roosts will be located. At the other end is the human door.

I was planning on housing 6-8 bantam hens on deep litter of grass clippings, leaves, straw.

I will not be allowing them free range at all as there are too many predators in the area.

Ok, Sounds plenty big enough for 8 bantams. I'd still say chicken wire over netting and as Sourland said that area could be used for storage. By no free range do you mean no additional run area?

What type of panel did you use? I was only able to get 6' high by going 7' wide. Also, how are you holding the arch right now? I can't see any stakes/pegs.

 

[fuzzi]

Ok, Sounds plenty big enough for 8 bantams. I'd still say chicken wire over netting and as Sourland said that area could be used for storage. By no free range do you mean no additional run area?

What type of panel did you use? I was only able to get 6' high by going 7' wide. Also, how are you holding the arch right now? I can't see any stakes/pegs.

Chicken wire works for me.

No additional run area, correct.

The cattle panels were 16'x50". I zip-tied them together, will replace with wire once I get the hardware cloth installed over.

The only thing holding it is the 1 1/2" staples (100+, owie!) I pounded into the 2x4x16s and the weight of the wood. I ran out of time to add the cross pieces, will be doing that hopefully by the end of the week.

 

[Brooks_]

I should remeasure. I might not be remembering correctly.

 

[fuzzi]

Here's the arch diagram that was shared with me:

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you will have a human door that opens and closes like a regular one, whether you buy it or build it, I would not worry about the chickens flying out when you go in. That has never been an issue with my coop, but pay attention when you enter or leave. If you want that area for storage go ahead. But I would not go to the extra expense or work just because I was worried that the chickens might escape.

 

[Krugerrand]

When you get to it, I found this to be an easy approach to a door. I stole the idea from @res I raised my door off the ground some like @dheltzel so that I wouldn't have to worry about snow blocking the door. While I'm glad I did, if you don't have much snow, having it lower makes it easier to get things in and out. But, if you plan to build up wood chips or something like that, be sure to keep that in mind when you build your door.

Sometimes a hen will jump up as I open the door. But, a gentle nudge with the foot puts her back on the right side of things.