How to build trap door?

[derby]

I would like a trap door in the floor of the hen house which lowers into an enclosed run beneath.

How do I keep the bedding from all falling out? I figured I would build a lip around the edge of it to keep most of the bedding in the house, but wouldn't it have to be pretty tall if I use DLM? Will the chickens just scratch around in the bedding until it was flung onto the door anyway?

Any clever ideas how to riase and lower the trap door from outside the fenced run?

Thanks,
Derby

 

[Poison Ivy]

I made a tractor with the ramp that pulls up to close off the opening in the floor. I just used eye hole screws I think there called. Then ran the string up and then across then drilled a hole in the side. Place a key ring on the end of the string and put a hook on the outside so when I raise the ramp it keeps it in place.

This one you can see the string hooked on the side to hold the ramp up.

 

[derby]

Thanks for the pics!

Derby

 

[patandchickens]

I'd suggest changing the design (even if it involves more constructional complications) to avoid a floor trapdoor if at ALL possible. A) you will lose a buncha bedding thru it and makes it difficult to keep the chickenhouse well bedded; and more importantly B) it seriously reduces the indoor floor space that the birds have available to them.

An exit through a wall is much kinder to the chickens, IMHO.

Pat

 

[clawmute]

I have a vertically sliding door in the side of my chicken house. it is about 14" wide and 16" high. It is operated by a cord fixed to the top and routed to the far side wall of the house. I can operate it from outside to either raise or lower. The door slides in a simple wooden track made of 3/4" wood strips. Outside the door is a sloped ramp leading to the ground. Easy to make and keeps predators out.

I raise it in the morning and close it at night when they have gone in to roost. Built from scrap wood.

 

[Greyscale Rainbow]

I also agree that a sliding door style is better. This is mine (annotated for my as-yet unfinished coop page - you're getting a sneak preview!)

The string on the pophole goes up through the gap inbetween the wall and the roof and is then wrapped around two nails in a figure of eight formation.

 

[bluey]

Mine is very similar to Poison Ivy's. I built a ledge on the front edge using 2x4 scraps, that prevents the bedding material from spilling down to the bottom. My opening in the floor for their little ladder is about a foot deep and their roosting bar is on the high side of the coop directly above the opening, so poop falls directly to the bottom. It's easier to shake off the ladder from time to time and move the coop around to a new location rather than cleaning waste out of the nesting areas.

I hope this helps.