If you are reading this article then, you must have completed building your chicken coop and the most important part of a chicken coop is a perfect chicken coop door. There are many options and tips in this article which will help you on how to build a chicken coop door? When making a chicken coop door, there are just a few things that you need to get right such as the height, the size, the floor and the security of the chicken coop door.
So, the first question which comes to mind before designing a coop door is that how big a chicken coop door should be? A good chicken coop door should be around 10-12 inches wide and 12-15 inches high depending on the breed of your chickens. It should be at least 6 inches above the ground and should also swing outwards. If your coop is automatic door then, no worries but if it is a manual chicken coop door then, you need to have locks and latches on the door to secure it against predators.
Ideal Size of Chicken coop door
The size of your chicken coop door will depend on various factors such as:-
- Roosters or no roosters.
- Total number of chickens in your flock.
- Predator threat in your region.
- Size of the chicken breeds in your flock.
Different chicken door sizes are needed for different chicken breeds
If you have bantams mostly in your flock then, you can make a smaller door as bantam chickens are smaller than other larger breeds like Orpingtons, Brahmas, Cochins, Langshans and Jersey Giants.
| Breed Size | Coop Door width | Coop Door height |
|---|---|---|
| Bantams | 9 inches | 10-12 inches |
| Standard | 10 inches | 10-13 inches |
| Larger | 12 inches | 12-15 inches |
Roosters prefer a larger chicken coop door
Roosters are significantly larger than hens in size. So, if you have any rooster in your chicken flock then, you will need to keep this in mind when choosing the chicken coop door height.
Most of time, roosters don’t mind getting out of the coop even if it has a 10 x 10 inches door. They tightly squeeze themselves and then, get in or out of the door but it is recommended to use a larger door if you have any rooster in your flock and not make them uncomfortable.
Predator-proofing your chicken coop door
If your region where you live or where your chicken coop is have predators like racoons, foxes, cats and even your neighborhood dogs can attach or hunt your chickens. So, if your region has any predators then, you also needed to predator- proof your chicken coop door by making it of an appropriate size in which no predator can enter and if your chicken coop door is a manual one then, you’ll also need a latch or a lock to close your chicken coop door especially at night time when these predators can be a threat to your feathered friends.
Choose your chicken coop door size based on your weather or climate in your region
If you live in cold regions or your place gets old winters, then, you need to protect your chicken coop from draft and snow. So, you should go for a smaller size if you live in a cold region so, that the chickens are protected from the snow and rain to stay healthy and happy.
And, if you live in a hotter climate region then, you can go with a larger size of your chicken coop door as it will increase the ventilation and air flow in your chicken coop and your flock will love this increased air flow inside the coop in summers.
Now, if you live somewhere where half the time it is summers and other half of the year it gets cold winters. Then, you have to manage or adjust your chicken coop door according to the change in seasons. Like, if you have a larger chicken coop door as in your area summers are nig part of the year so, what you can do in winters is that you can just put plastic strips or hang curtains over your chicken coop door to protect the chicken inside the coop from outside cold air, snow or rain.
This will keep your chickens warm in colder months and cool in summers.
Types of Chicken coop doors
I hope you know that there are two types of chicken coop doors that exist now. They are:
- Manual Chicken coop doors, and
- Automatic chicken coop doors
Manual Chicken coop doors
Manual chicken coop doors as the name suggests are chicken coop doors that have to be opened and closed manually every morning and every night to keep your flock safe.
Pros and Cons of Manual Chicken coop doors
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You personally check and ensure that all of your chickens gone inside the coop. | You need to open the coop door early in the morning at sunrise even if you are felling sleepy or not wanted to wake up. |
| You can control the time at which the door opens and closes. | Every night, you have to close the coop door even if you are somewhere else then, you need to leave for emergency and if you are stuck at somewhere important then, you chicken may be left vulnerable to predators at night. |
| It is cheaper than expensive automatic chicken coop doors. | Manual doors can get slammed shut by a heavy wind which can sadly hurt or even kill your chicken if any chicken was leaving or entering the coop at that time. |
Automatic Chicken coop doors
As the name suggests, automatic chicken coop doors are chicken-sized doors which can open and close automatically based on your set timing. You can set a timer in these automatic doors at which it needed to open or close. Or, you can set it to open and close automatically depending upon the day light, i.e., it will automatically opens as the sun rises and closes as the sun sets and there is no sunlight.
Pros and Cons of Automatic Chicken coop doors
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can control at what time the coop door will open and close everyday by setting a timer. | Any one of your chicken may get trapped while entering or exiting the coop but mostly automatic doors closes slowly so that the chickens can take their time to enter and exit. |
| You don’t have to wake up at sunrise everyday to open the doors and let the chickens out. | Some of your chickens that don’t get inside on time may be left outside and the door closes but this can be easily controllable if you can check and ensure every chicken is inside the coop before going to bed every night. |
| You don’t have to run from everywhere at night to close the coop door. | Sometimes the door may be open all night if the power supply fails which can leave your chickens unprotected and exposed to cold wind and snow. |
| If you are going on a vacation or having a night-out then, you can worry free leave your chickens and go. | |
| Your chicken coop will always be protected from predators as the door closes after sun set or the time you set to get close. |
Different Chicken coop door Styles
If you have made up your mind that you will make a manual chicken coop door or your chicken coop needed a manual chicken coop door. Then, there are several manual chicken coop door styles you can choose from, including:
- Swinging Doors
- Sliding Doors
- Flap Doors
- Double-dutch Doors
Swinging chicken coop door
Swinging doors are the most common chicken coop doors as they are easy to build, install and operate. They open via hinges which are attached on these doors either on the left or right side. They swing open on a horizontal plane.
Few examples of swinging chicken coop doors-
Sliding chicken coop door
Sliding coop doors can open by sliding either horizontally or vertically. You can make either horizontal or vertical sliding door based on your comfort, or liking. These doors are also easy to install and operate and these doors are also predator-proof and your chickens are protected inside them.
Flap chicken coop door
Flap coop doors are the most easy to install and operate door among all of the above mentioned coop doors but the only disadvantage of these types of doors is that they are not predator-proof as they can swing both the ways in or out. And, any predator can easily enter using these doors inside the coop and hunt or kill your chickens.
Double-dutch chicken coop door
Double-dutch coop doors are dual-purpose doors which allow both the chicken and the cooper to enter the run. Most of the time, you need to open the bottom portion of the door to let the chicken out of the coop but when to need to go inside the coop to clean the run or to catch a chicken then, you can open the full door to get in and out.
Different latches for your chicken coop door
You will also need to protect your chicken coop door from opening by a gust of wind or by any predator. And, for that you’ll need a chicken coop door latch which will secure the coop door from opening.
There are many different types of latches that you can use to secure your coop door. They are:
- Self-locking or Gravity latch
- Bolt
- Snap hook and chain
- Padlock-style with carabiner
Self-locking or Gravity coop door latch
As the name suggests, self-locking or gravity chicken coop door latches closes by itself by the weight of the door and it gets open just by lifting the lock by your fingers. It is recommended if you forget to close your chicken coop door more often.
Bolt chicken coop door latch
Bolt chicken coop door latches are easy to install and operate latches but the only problem with these latches is that they may not always line up correctly and if your area or region have moisture or rain then, the wooden doors also become warp making it hard to close these latches. Or you should use these latches only if you have protected your door from moisture weather by paint or any coating so that it doesn’t get warp.
Snap hook and chain chicken coop latch
Snap hook and chicken coop door latches are the most unsafe latches among all and they are not at all recommended to be used for your chicken coop door as they don’t get properly closed and have a small opening between the door and the coop which can allow small predators like mouse and weasels to enter the coop and harm the chickens.
Drafts in colder months can also get inside the coop because of this opening and can make the chickens ill. Any predator can also just rip off the chain and can enter the coop as it doesn’t fit perfectly on the coop.
So, in only condition this latch can be used is if your area have zero predators or your chicken run is so secure that you aren’t worried of any predator to come close to your chicken coop.
Padlock-style with carabiner coop door latch
One of the best and easy to install and use latches among all is Padlock-style with carabiner latch as it is very secure and easy to use. It has a lock with a carabiner so it makes it hard for any predators to open it and get inside the coop.
How to build a chicken coop door?
Now, after reading this full article on how to build a chicken coop door? I think you will be able to make a nice door for your chicken coop depending on the various factors that needed to be kept in mind while making the door as I have mentioned above in this article.
But if you need any further assistance in building your chicken coop door then, I would highly recommend you to watch this YouTube video to make a nice and easy chicken coop door.
Conclusion
The process of building a chicken coop door may look intimidating but it is not that complex process and you can also build or make your own chicken coop door for your chicken coop just by following the steps and all the information explained in the article above. Now, just start making your own chicken coop door and if you have any questions regarding chicken coop door then, you can ask in the comment section below.