Building a chicken door

[Roosters110]

I am building my first chicken coop,not my first coop but my first project without any real assistance,for 19 chickens and 3 ducks.I need assist building a door.Nothing but a small one but I am unsure of where to start.We bought a large shed but I need to know how I should cut open holes in it and not only that I’m taking the old window completely off (All is simple other then the cutting holes into the shed.)I’m aware of henges .All of my books show coops,but absolutely no good intstructions,so I come here for info.
Also if you have any easy meat box ideas that be appreciated.
As far as the ducks I was gonna put a nesting box in corner once I found where they are gonna lay.

 

[PirateGirl]

I'm not 100% sure what you are asking.

If you are cutting holes in the existing shed wall and you need to cut where a stud is, you will need to frame around you hole with 2x4s so you are not compromising the integrity of the structure.

If you are just cutting a small chicken door and it fits between the studs that is even easier. Depending on your tools available you have a few options. If you have a jigsaw or sawzall, you can first drill a hole that will be at one of the corners of the door and then you will be able to insert the blade and make your door cut. If you drill holes at all four corners of the door it might be easier for you to turn the corners for each cut. If you have a circular saw, instead of starting at a corner I'd probably sink the saw at the middle of one of the door sides to make the cuts.

A small chicken door does not necessarily need framing. You can add hinges and latches at the end. Latches on the inside of the shed would mean that predators can't even get at them, but it would also mean you have to go in the shed to lock the chickens up at night, your call on that one.

I hope that kinda helps.

Also think about your chicken door height and how long the ramp will need to stick out from the side for it to be at a good angle for them to get down and how much space you have outside the shed for the ramp.

 

[Roosters110]

Wow thanks so much,never thought about the whole four holes thing.I decided I’m not making a small door anymore just a big one and all use the four hole idea for my window/ventilation thanks a lot.

 

[Hopperkiller]

Go to youtube and search adding door to load bearing wall to give you ideas on a large door. That could give you a visual.

 

[PirateGirl]

Wow thanks so much,never thought about the whole four holes thing.I decided I’m not making a small door anymore just a big one and all use the four hole idea for my window/ventilation thanks a lot.

So I had this idea for when I build a walk in coop. It may or may not work for you. I wanted to have a large people door, but then cut it in half like dutch door, so the lower section would open for just the chickens and ducks and then I'd just open the top half when I needed to get in there myself and the whole thing could be closed up and locked at night.

 

[jthornton]

You should add your location to your profile.

Got any photos of the inside of the coop where you want to put the door?

JT