Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hey everyone! Im building a small chicken coop for a flock of about 6-8 hens, and I want to make sure its easy to keep clean. Ive heard that having good cleaning access is super important, but Im not sure how big the access points should be.

How large should the doors or openings be to make cleaning easy? Should I have multiple access points, like one for the coop floor and one for nesting boxes? Also, any tips on door placement or design to make cleaning faster and less of a hassle?

Thanks in advance! I appreciate any advice from experienced coop builders!

I've found that having one large access door for the coop floor (around 3 feet wide) and a smaller one (1x1 foot) for nesting boxes works great. Placement matters, too , put the floor door low so you can rake bedding straight out. If you can add a removable tray under the roosts, that makes cleaning even easier. Don't forget to make sure the hinges and latches are predator-proof!

Think about ergonomics! You'll want a door at least 2 feet wide and 2.5 feet high so you're not struggling to reach corners. I also recommend adding a waist-height cleanout door so you're not bending down constantly. For nesting boxes, a separate flap or lift-up lid saves time. If you can, design the coop so the entire back wall opens , that's what I did, and it's a game-changer for deep cleans!