https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-make-a-sliding-self-locking-and-predator-proof-chicken-coop-door.75906/ BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens * Forums New posts Search forums * What's new Featured content New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items New showcase comments * Articles New articles New comments Latest reviews Author list Search articles * Reviews New items New comments Author list Series list Latest content Latest updates Latest reviews ----------------------------------------------------------------- Search showcase * Gallery New media New comments Search media * Members Current visitors New profile posts Search profile posts Log in Join-Us What's new Search Search [ ] [Everywhere ] [ ]Search titles only By: [ ] Search Advanced search... * New articles * New comments * Latest reviews * Author list * Search articles Menu Log in --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join-Us --------------------------------------------------------------------- Navigation Install the app Install How to install the app on iOS Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen. Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers. More options Contact us Close Menu JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. * Articles * Learning Center * Housing & Feeding Your Flock How To Make a Sliding, Self-Locking, and Predator-Proof Chicken Coop Door * Author mapurcel * Publish date Jul 25, 2020 * Article read time 4 min read * Tags automatic lock coop door coop door lock door plan predator proof predator proofing self-locking sliding door string door vertical door This article is here to help you make your very own DIY vertical sliding, self-locking, and predator-proof chicken coop door. These materials and steps are based on my own experience. Please leave a comment or like if you found this page to be helpful! Article Reviews (4) Gallery Leave a rating Screen Shot 2020-07-25 at 11.17.24 PM.png Want a secure flock, but don't feel like hand locking a latch or padlock on your coop door every night? Well look no farther! This vertical door slides easily with the small tug of a string that is conveniently located outside your coop. Most importantly, the coop door self locks from the inside as it is lowered, making it IMPOSSIBLE for those darn predators to even TOUCH the lock. If that wasn't enough, this design eliminates the ability to externally lift the door from its bottom. Check out a video of how the door works HERE. Look like something something you want to build? Then let's get to it! Step 1: Gather Materials You Will Need I used these materials, but they may change depending on your specific design spin and coop setup. Tools: Please also have a jigsaw, drill, and table saw ready! Quantity Item Price (i.e. Notes Homedepot.com) Rubbermaid 12 in. x 1 24 in. Organic Ash $6.98 Comes in ash, black, Laminate Decorative white, oak Shelf ClosetMaid ShelfTrack 2 30 in. x 1 in. White $6.98 Comes in black or white Standard 1 Everbit Satin Nickel $3.28 Comes in many different Double Robe Hook finishes, and sizes. Everbilt 2-1/2 in. A spring hinge can also Stainless Steel be used instead. If you 1 Narrow Utility Hinge $5.35 choose a spring hinge, Non-Removable Pin you do not need a (2-Pack) counterweight. 3/8 in. x 4-7/8 in. 1 Stainless Steel Screw $3.67 Eye Screws you use should #6 x 1 in. Philips be flush with the 4 Screws Square Drive track, to avoid the for Flat-Head Full Thread $2.50 per box door getting stuck. shelf Zinc Coated track Multi-Material Screw Please make sure the (40 per Box) screws fit your shelftrack holes. 1 Washer (for counterweight) 1 Metal string (for counterweight) A few 2x4 or 2x3's lengths Size and material of this item can vary 1 Thick roll of twine/ Free (found at depending on thin rope home) preferences such as durability and drill hole diameter. Used mostly to screw in As Wood Screws Free (found at vertical beams and needed home) horizontal door stopper. Step 2: Find the area inside your coop that you would like your door to be. If there is a vertical support beam already in the coop, this would be an ideal place! If there are none, secure one ~30 in. long 2x4 vertically to the side of your coop wall with wood screws or corner brackets. To measure your doorway size, place your shelf in between the shelf tracks and to the side of your first vertical beam. Mark where the shelf tracks lay, and draw the outline of your doorway. (I used a piece of 11x8 1/2 paper to do this). Make sure the opening is at least 1 inch smaller in width than your door (12 in) on each side, and is located 3 inches from the ground. This distance between the ground and your door's bottom will ensure predators can not lift your door up from the outside, and will keep coop litter from spilling out. My opening size was ~5 1/8 x 8 in. Below you can see how I lined everything up. IMG_7192.JPG IMG_7192.JPG Step 3: Remove all materials except your outline paper from the wall and use a drill holes to mark the doorway outline. This is especially helpful if you are using a jigsaw from outside to cut your opening. Use a jigsaw (or preferred saw) to create your doorway opening! IMG_7195 (1).JPG IMG_7195 (1).JPG Step 4: Place your shelf track against your 2x4. Use screws to secure one shelftrack to the vertical beam, ensuring the screw head is flush with the track. Once the first track is in place, insert the shelf and the other track. Mark where the other track ends, install a second vertical 2x4 beam, and screw in the other side of the track. Step 5: Take your shelf and cut it so that it is 3 inches taller than your opening. Screw your door latch onto the door so that the hinge bends to face you and lands parallel to the floor when bent (do not install it so it can turn all the way downwards). Place the door in the track and make sure it can slide easily, adjusting the vertical beams if need be. Step 6: Screw in a piece of wood above the door hinge. You want to ensure the latch will hit the wood if in the lock position "parallel to ground" but also has enough room so that it can be lifted upright and slide in between the wood and the wall. ***If you don't want the door to self lock, only install a screw eye to the top of the door. Step 7: Tie a counterweight (composing of a washer and string/metal string) to your door hinge. This weight will ensure your latch moves into the "lock" position when the door slides down. ***Alternatively you can use a spring lock and exclude the counterweight. Step 8: Attach the string to your door hinge in the middle hole and thread it through eye hooks leading to where you would like to pull the string from. ****Make sure your drill holes match the diameter of twine you use! Step 9: Install the coat hook where you want to pull from. The string can be tied here during the day to keep the door open and released at night to close. Note- This design is based off of an original design seen on youtube: * Screen Shot 2020-07-25 at 11.17.24 PM.png Screen Shot 2020-07-25 at 11.17.24 PM.png 314.4 KB * Views: 54,400 * Screen Shot 2020-07-25 at 11.23.44 PM.png Screen Shot 2020-07-25 at 11.23.44 PM.png 147.7 KB * Views: 107 * Like Reactions: Ddb123, Arelwood and whixy Latest reviews * Anonymous * 5.00 star(s) * May 14, 2023 The video is great! If you could only figure out how to automate it it would be perfect! Pyxis * Pyxis * 5.00 star(s) * Jun 29, 2022 Great idea with good step by step directions and visuals. * Like Reactions: Ddb123 casportpony * casportpony * 5.00 star(s) * Nov 29, 2021 Nicely done! * Like Reactions: Ddb123 Read more... More in Housing & Feeding Your Flock * Chick Quicks, Episode 3: SOS! 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