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Automatic Chicken Coop Doors - Page 3

post #21 of 58
7/14/10 at 4:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lacasitarojafarm 
Quote:
Originally Posted by new2chooks 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tigerjane 

Is this the door you're all talking about?

http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/catalog/2100-2107.html

I need to get an automatic door too, so please keep the reviews/advice coming!!!


Yes.  I have the inside mount with the light sensor.  (timer not necessary)  The light sensor is adjustable, so you can adjust it's sensitivity to light.  We got up on several nights of a full moon to make sure it wasn't opening. (it didn't)


With the inside door mount if I don't have a sliding door do I need ot get one too?  I am interested in this one as it runs on batteries and my chicken house does not have any electircity.


If you don't have a sliding (guillotine) style door, then yes, buy the door.  I don't have electricity in my coop either, and it's been 1 1/2 years still working on the same batteries as when I got it.

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

 

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

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Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

 

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

Reply

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post #22 of 58
7/15/10 at 7:06pm

Ok, here is a completely dumb question.  If you have the coop door on a timer, how do your chickens "know" it's time to go in before they are locked out?

Since yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn't guaranteed, TODAY is where the focus should be.  Life is a GIFT.  That is why is is called the PRESENT.
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Since yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn't guaranteed, TODAY is where the focus should be.  Life is a GIFT.  That is why is is called the PRESENT.
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post #23 of 58
7/15/10 at 9:41pm

I was wondering the same thing.. However, I've found it interesting that while still working on our coop/run, the not quite full grown birds happily wander over to the run and hide out in the corner once the sun goes down.. They seem to know where to go.. and when.. that's what I'm figuring at this point!

Father of 4 day-old chicks bought on ~8/16/12.. all are Lohmann Browns

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Father of 4 day-old chicks bought on ~8/16/12.. all are Lohmann Browns

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post #24 of 58
7/16/10 at 8:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zippitydooda 

Ok, here is a completely dumb question.  If you have the coop door on a timer, how do your chickens "know" it's time to go in before they are locked out?


I don't have the timer, but I have the light sensor.  The chickens are in and settled on the roost about 45 minutes before the door closes.  I have not had a chicken locked out.  Just set your timer to close after dark.  Then you'll be fine.  MOST chickens go in at night on their own.  If they are young and haven't figured this part out yet, then you'll need to go out each night and put them in the coop until they learn to go in on their own.

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

 

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

Reply

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

 

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

Reply
post #25 of 58
7/16/10 at 9:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zippitydooda 

Ok, here is a completely dumb question.  If you have the coop door on a timer, how do your chickens "know" it's time to go in before they are locked out?


I've got my timer to close the door about 30 minutes after dark.   By then they are all inside. The other night night I was in the coop a little after dark and the hens would go to the open door and look out as if to say "yes it's still dark" then they would go back the the roost.

Bill and Judy
Husband and wife for over 40 years and more in love today than ever.   
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Bill and Judy
Husband and wife for over 40 years and more in love today than ever.   
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post #26 of 58
7/16/10 at 9:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillT 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bayareapilot 

Quick question:  I've seen the automatic chicken doors that can be programmed to open and close at preset times; but nowhere in the FAQ of the products I've looked at is there mention of some safety feature to prevent the door from closing on a chicken.  Is their a fail-safe built into the commercially available auto chicken doors?  Since I have my chicks on closed circuit tv, I've entertained the notion of a remote operated door.


This is the door opener I use. It's $100.00 including freight.  http://www.discounthomeautomation.com/Add-A-Motor-Chicken-Coop-Motor-AAD20

I also use a $5.00 timer from Walmart to set the time it opens and closes. It works Great. Check out my page about haft way down to see how it's hooked up.
For  the door, I used a 1/4 inch thick piece if plexiglas that I got at Home Depot.

Hope this helps,

Good Luck

Bill
P>S> It opens and closes slowly and the chickens have time to move out of the way.


Hi BayAreaPilot, and others...  The Addamotor 20 is the one I use as well. I like it. I got it from the same folks Bill did - Discoutn Automation . Easy order, easy install. Works great and for $100.00 it was in our budget. I got my $5.00 timer at Lowe's. I HIGHLY recommend this motor--> http://www.discounthomeautomation.com/Add-A-Motor-Chicken-Coop-Motor-AAD20

As Bill said, Hope this helps. Did for us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what Peace there may be in Silence. ... Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
~Desiderata, Max Ehrmann
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what Peace there may be in Silence. ... Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
~Desiderata, Max Ehrmann
Reply
post #27 of 58
7/16/10 at 9:19am

I just got my automatic chicken door from Foy's.  I am so excited!  I won't have to go out in the early moring in the winter to open the door!  Now wish me luck on the install!!! celebrate

Roxanna
Local Skagit Valley producer of all natural produce and eggs.
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Roxanna
Local Skagit Valley producer of all natural produce and eggs.
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post #28 of 58
7/16/10 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lacasitarojafarm 

I just got my automatic chicken door from Foy's.  I am so excited!  I won't have to go out in the early moring in the winter to open the door!  Now wish me luck on the install!!! celebrate


Good luck!!!!! Automatic doors are the BEST invention!. Post an update. I looked at the one you bought, but shy'd away for a couple reasons. Mostly cost, but was easily able to do the AddAMotor. Easy install too. Works like a charm. I'd still like to hear how it all comes out!!! You're gonna LOVE it.

Best!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what Peace there may be in Silence. ... Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
~Desiderata, Max Ehrmann
Reply
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what Peace there may be in Silence. ... Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
~Desiderata, Max Ehrmann
Reply
post #29 of 58
7/18/10 at 7:14pm

For some reason they go to roost about the same time each nite.  I set my timer to close about a half hour after they are in their beds.  The first night I gave them access to the run they all wanted to sleep outside.  I gently picked each one up and placed them inside the pop door.  The second night 4 of 11 wanted to spend the night out.  By the third night all of them were inside safe and sound way before the door closed.  I still check on them but they have always gone to roost on their own.  It makes keeping them so much ezer then getting in bed and thinking did I or didn't I close that door...

for every animal of the forest is mine,  the cattle of a thousand hills.  I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.  PSALM 50: 10-11
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for every animal of the forest is mine,  the cattle of a thousand hills.  I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.  PSALM 50: 10-11
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post #30 of 58
8/13/10 at 6:28am

OK everyone you all have such great write-ups about this.. how about posting some pictures now please?
I'm thinking about getting one for my coop now.

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