Complete Automatic Chicken Coop Door Sizing Guide

✅ When to Choose Small Door:

• Urban coop with maximum 6 bantams or small hens
• Show quality bantams requiring dedicated housing
• Space-limited installation (narrow wall sections)
• Cost-conscious setup for very small flocks

⚠️ Important Limitations:

• Standard-sized chickens will struggle to pass through comfortably
• Not suitable if you plan to expand your flock
• Bottlenecks likely with more than 4-5 birds during morning exit
• Consider 10"×10" if any birds exceed 5 lbs

📊 Note: Most commercial automatic doors have 8"×8" openings. Coop Tender's 10"×10" "standard" is actually 56% larger than competitor "standard" doors, providing significantly better traffic flow.

✅ When to Choose Standard Door:

• Small backyard flock (4-12 chickens) of standard breeds
• Egg-production focused setup with smaller chickens
• Limited installation space but need more than 8"×8"
• Upgrade from competitor doors with inadequate openings

💡 Sizing Tip:

If you have 8-20 chickens or any birds over 6 lbs (like full-size Orpingtons or Brahmas), consider the 12"×12" large door. The larger opening prevents bottlenecks and reduces stress during morning flock exit.

✅ When to Choose Large Door:

• Perfect for most backyard flocks: 8-20 standard-sized chickens
• Mixed flock with breeds ranging from 5-8 lbs
• Growing flock - provides capacity for expansion
• Smooth traffic flow without bottlenecks or fighting
• Future-proof sizing if you might add larger breeds later

🌟 Why 12"×12" is Our Most Popular Size:

This size handles 90% of backyard chicken scenarios. It accommodates standard breeds comfortably, allows smooth flock movement, and provides headroom for flock growth. The opening is large enough to prevent stress but not so large it creates unnecessary installation complexity.

✅ When to Choose Extra Large Door:

• Giant breed enthusiasts (Jersey Giants, large Brahmas, exhibition Cochins)
• Larger flocks (15-49 birds) requiring high-traffic capacity
• Duck coops - most duck breeds need 15"×15" minimum
• Mixed poultry operations (chickens + ducks together)
• Commercial breeding operations with heavy breeds

📐 Installation Consideration:

This door requires a 17½" wide × 34¼" high cutout in your coop wall. Ensure you have adequate wall space and structural support before ordering. Not recommended for thin-walled coops without reinforcement.

✅ When to Choose Certified Humane Door:

• Turkey operations: All turkey breeds require this size minimum
• Goose housing: Full-size geese need adequate clearance
• Commercial egg production: High-volume facilities (50-200+ birds)
• Certified operations: Meets Certified Humane® standards for commercial flocks
• Multi-species farms: Mixed large bird operations

🏆 Certified Humane® Compliant:

This door meets Certified Humane® standards for commercial poultry operations, ensuring adequate access for high-density flocks while maintaining animal welfare requirements. Essential for certified organic or humane label operations.

📐 Installation Consideration:

This door requires a 24" wide × 41½" high cutout - essentially a small doorway. Requires substantial structural support and is typically installed in barn-style or commercial coop construction. Professional installation recommended for proper weight support.

1. Sizing for Current Flock, Not Future Growth

Problem: You have 5 chickens now, so you buy the small 8"×8" door. Six months later you add 3 more birds and the door is too small.

Solution: Consider your 2-year flock plans. Most chicken owners expand their flocks over time.

2. Measuring Average Bird Size Instead of Largest

Problem: You have 10 standard chickens and one Jersey Giant. You choose the 10"×10" door because most of your birds fit—but the Giant struggles.

Solution: Always size for your LARGEST bird, even if it's just one out of many.

3. Not Accounting for Traffic Flow

Problem: Technically your 12 standard chickens can fit through a 10"×10" door, but morning exit creates a bottleneck with fighting and injuries.

Solution: Flocks over 8 birds need the 12"×12" door for smooth traffic flow during high-volume exit times.

4. Underestimating Breed Adult Size

Problem: Your Buff Orpington chicks fit through an 8"×8" door now, but will be 7-8 lbs as adults.

Solution: Research adult weight of your breeds before ordering. Don't size based on chicks or young pullets.

5. Choosing Based on Price Instead of Need

Problem: Saving $20 by choosing the 10"×10" when you really need the 12"×12" leads to long-term problems and potential door replacement.

Solution: The right door size is a one-time investment. The $20 difference is minimal compared to years of proper function and flock safety.

📧 Email Our Expert Team

support@cooptender.com

Response within 1 business day