What size to make a chick pop door?

[TheSpiceGirls]

I've got 3 9.5 week old Buff Orpington chicks. I've got them in a separate pen inside the big run with my adult BO and Jersey Giant.

They've been in this set up for 3.5 weeks. And I was hoping to go a few more till the babies were a tad bigger. But they are really getting antsy and yesterday, one of the babies flew out of the separation pen and I came home to find her with with the two big hens.

Amazingly, they didn't kill her. Now maybe she was only there for a few minutes but more than likely, she'd been there for several hours.

So I want to integrate this weekend and I really like the idea of setting up a panic room for the babies to get away from the big hens. But how? I've tried opening their pen just 5 inches or so but the big hens can squeeze through.

So I'm thinking I need to cut a pop door shape out of cardboard or wood and go that route.

I'm looking for any advice or direction on size, shape, etc.

 

[GhostRider65]

Hmmmmm might work, but larger hens as you found can fit in a smaller door than 1 would think........ I'd make it no larger than your largest chick for now and make it bigger as they grow or just remove if no longer needed... Kim

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Maybe I just take some cardboard and do a trial one. I really only need it for a few days. I do think these birds are ready to live together and since the big girls are out numbered, I think this will go okay.

I'll put out extra feeders and waterers and their run already has some hiding places. I will add more.

Watch me come home to find my big fat BO stuck half way in and half way out of this panic room pop door. I wouldn't put it past her.