[Lindeggs]

One of my coop walls is a re-purposed wooden house door and came complete with a (lockable) cat door.  It's perfect at the moment for my little pullets but I'm wondering if they will grow out of it.

The door is currently 22cm wide and 23cm high.

I met the mother of my Light Sussex pullets and she is an Amazon amongst chickens  so they might need something bigger as they grow.

[bantam novice]

You may need a bigger one from the sound if it, Lindeggs.    Bet they will look lovely when fully grown.

[Casey76]

Actaully that sounds about right.  My current pop hole is about 25 x  30, and all of my large cockerels could fit though with no problems.

[Lindeggs]

hmmm... I know chickens can fit through some pretty small gaps - they seem to be mostly feathers.  I just don't want to end up making them squeeze through a gap where their feathers touch the sides, in case it damages their feathers and makes them less warm or less waterproof.

Am I worrying unnecessarily?  Do I just wait and see if someone eats too much dinner and gets jammed in the pop hole?! 

[joyfull]

mine are all about 200mm x 200mm (except for the eglu) and they have banties, large fowl, cockerels and guinea fowl going in no problem so no need to worry 

[D]

Popholes aren't ment to be huge, they only need to be big enough and what you've got sounds fine. Mine in about 20cm x 30 cm and my big fat Faverolle fits through with no problems.

[hillfooter]

Assuming these measurements are the opening size they should be Ok for all but the largest chickens. A bit more height would be better but just see how it goes.
HF

[Lindeggs]

Thanks all.  I will just wait and see what happens.  If Joyfull's cockerals can get through a 200mm x 200mm gap mine will probably be fine.

It currently works really well and I wasn't looking forward to attempting modifications so you've reassured me.  Thank you all.

[Casey76]

Just remember, chickens are usually thinner than they look