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Installed a automatic chicken door

post #1 of 52
10/30/09 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 

I installed a new automatic chicken door on the coop yesterday, I use the light timer to open and close it.  The chickens go in  about 6:45 PM so the timer is set to close at 7:00 PM and open at 6:45 AM.  Now that winter is coming on it will be nice not to have to go out and close and open the coop every day.  I was going to use a remote system but the timer will work better when I am not at home.  It worked great last night and this morning.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/41833_dsc00725.jpg
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/41833_dsc00726.jpg

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post #2 of 52
10/30/09 at 12:41pm

DH and I have talked about this possibility.  I will be showing him this when he gets home.  Thanks and it looks great!!

~The Chicken Chick~   

I live happily in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by animals and family!  ** Just because it says I'm on line, doesn't mean its me. DH says reading BYC is the only real way to know what I am up too!!
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~The Chicken Chick~   

I live happily in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by animals and family!  ** Just because it says I'm on line, doesn't mean its me. DH says reading BYC is the only real way to know what I am up too!!
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post #3 of 52
10/30/09 at 12:53pm

Great job.  Question though - what if a chicken is on her way in or out?  Will the door close on her and crush her, or will it stop like an elevator or garage door?  This occurred to me because mine like to roost on the doorstoop itself while considering going in for the night.

Enjoying my 10-acres of country heaven with 50+ chickens, turkeys and muscovy ducks!

 

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Enjoying my 10-acres of country heaven with 50+ chickens, turkeys and muscovy ducks!

 

Read about my fox attack here

Read a fox attack survival story here

How to build a hoop house in 10 easy steps here

 

Are you from Kansas? (Click to show)

Come and join us on the Consolidated Kansas thread.  Don't try to read it all - just hit "reply", introduce yourself and join in the conversation:...

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post #4 of 52
10/30/09 at 12:53pm

Had to look twice, trying to figure out how it works.  Then I realized the pix are sideways, and the tubular thing is the weight.  Did you use a drapery motor?
Sure would be nice not to have to go out there so early!

thumbsup

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post #5 of 52
10/30/09 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HEChicken 

Great job.  Question though - what if a chicken is on her way in or out?  Will the door close on her and crush her, or will it stop like an elevator or garage door?  This occurred to me because mine like to roost on the doorstoop itself while considering going in for the night.


As a matter of fact I had a chicken  sitting in the door when I was testing it, it makes some noise and moves slow the chicken was long gone before the door closed and the door is aluminum and very light.

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post #6 of 52
10/30/09 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Casey3043 

Had to look twice, trying to figure out how it works.  Then I realized the pix are sideways, and the tubular thing is the weight.  Did you use a drapery motor?
Sure would be nice not to have to go out there so early!

thumbsup


Yes that is a drapery  motor, I  payed 86.95 on Ebay.

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post #7 of 52
10/30/09 at 2:12pm

I also have one of these and love it!!  I set mine to close well after all the hens are in...mine's set to close around 9:00 p.m.  Now that it get dark earlier, I will adjust.

mom to 2 awesome boys (11,13); 1 yellow lab, Lucy; 1 Cavachon, Daisy; 3 barn cats, Polly, Delilah and Samson; and an ever changing number of fuzzy butts!! My darling husband of 14 years thinks I have lost my mind!! But he's the best for building me a beautiful coop!! I'm beginning to think I have a chicken problem...
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mom to 2 awesome boys (11,13); 1 yellow lab, Lucy; 1 Cavachon, Daisy; 3 barn cats, Polly, Delilah and Samson; and an ever changing number of fuzzy butts!! My darling husband of 14 years thinks I have lost my mind!! But he's the best for building me a beautiful coop!! I'm beginning to think I have a chicken problem...
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post #8 of 52
10/31/09 at 7:50am

Where did you purchase this wonderful device? Does it have its own timer? great idea to use diamondplate. Looks good.

2 Ameraucana/Blue Copper Marans,1 Black Copper Marans, 1 Blue Copper Marans, 1 Iowa Blue, 1 Buckeye & 1 Jack Russell Terrier, Bagel.  1 Barred Rock Roo !! 2 Black sex-link & 5 Golden sex-link pullets. 6 Dominiques, 4 Buff Chanteclers and 1 Ameracuana.
So many chicks, so little time !!
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2 Ameraucana/Blue Copper Marans,1 Black Copper Marans, 1 Blue Copper Marans, 1 Iowa Blue, 1 Buckeye & 1 Jack Russell Terrier, Bagel.  1 Barred Rock Roo !! 2 Black sex-link & 5 Golden sex-link pullets. 6 Dominiques, 4 Buff Chanteclers and 1 Ameracuana.
So many chicks, so little time !!
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post #9 of 52
10/31/09 at 7:58am

I have the same setup. It works awsome.
What I did was off to the right of the moter about 2 feet I added a scew in eye hook and ran the
string for the counter weight through that to keep it from getting fetched up in the door.
You will have to cut the side of the drapery moter cover a little bit just enough to allow the string
to work and not pop the cover off.

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post #10 of 52
10/31/09 at 1:06pm

Can I ask what that mental channal stuff is that your door slides in?  I have looked for something just like that!! What is it called and where can I get some?

Brilliant set up!!

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