[pet]

being new to chicken keeping i was wondering if a cat flap would work on the door to the coop, can you tain hens to use one . the coop is in a secure fenced run & would save getting up early on summer morning to let them out.

[joyfull]

not a lot of hens would try pushing the door open - best either make a pop hole or even buy one  .
Failing that get or make an auto pop hole 

[gracie]

How secure is your run, ours is extremely secure so we dont shut our door to the coop so the girls come and go as they please. This is ok as long as when the door is open they arent getting a draught.

[michael85]

ive cut an old peice of thin plywood into about a square foot (or enough to cover the opening in the side of the shed where they live), then screwed an old pice of plastic pipe to it to open and close it. The pipe is long enough to reach through the side of the run so I can open and close it quickly and without having to go in the run every time.

Also, we have a cat and therefore a cat flap, the chickens peck at it occasionally but never look like they will go through it.

[Beano]

I enjoy that time in the early morning, when I'm out in my pjs letting the girls out. It's a lovely time of the day, hardly anyone's about and the birds are singing. It's a good way to start the day. I'll just watch them for awhile (long enough for my husband to make two cups of milky coffee) then back to bed for a cwtch and a cuppa. That's at the weekend of course.

[pet]

thanks to all for the useful advice think i will go with the auto timer, costly mind