Anyway with a PULLET SHUT DOOR set it up inside rather than outside?

[Mahlzeit]

I am in the process of building my coop and ordered the pullet shut door. It is meant to go on the outside of the coop when being setup. However I am nervous about the freezing rain and snow that might jam it up. I was thinking about setting it up on the inside of my coop and having it swing inside rather than out. Has anyone done this? It would be high enough off the ground that the shavings on the ground would not block up the door from swinging.

 

[Mahlzeit]

I am going to assume that nobody has tried this.

 

[Happy Dad]

I am in the process of building my coop and ordered the pullet shut door. It is meant to go on the outside of the coop when being setup. However I am nervous about the freezing rain and snow that might jam it up. I was thinking about setting it up on the inside of my coop and having it swing inside rather than out. Has anyone done this? It would be high enough off the ground that the shavings on the ground would not block up the door from swinging.

I was wondering this same thing. I sent the makers and email and they responded about an hour later.

"Thank you for your interest in the Pullet-Shut automatic chicken door.
The Pullet-Shut door is designed to be mounted on the outside of the coop
(or,in your case, the outside of the run) and to open to the outside.
Since, most predators will try to push the door open, they will be pushing
not only against the door frame, but also they will be also pushing
against the coop itself.

Should a predator try to pry open the door instead of pushing open the
door, the door has an approx. 3000:1 gear ratio which means that a
predator would have to overcome the gears in order to open the door.
Additionally, the clearance between the door frame and the edge of the
door is held to a tight tolerance so that a raccoon cannot get its fingers
between the door and the frame and wrap around the back of the door.

This is why we do recommend installing the door on the outside, as we
cannot ensure a predator-proof door otherwise."

I think I'm going to go with the Ador1 instead. Either the kids will destroy the door sticking out messing with it or I'll clip it with the riding mower someday trying to mow up close to the run.

 

[Mahlzeit]

I was going back and forth between both of them but I ended up going with the pullet shut door because I don't want the door opening at the crack of dawn because neighbors. So with this one I can set the time I want it to open and close.

 

[Happy Dad]

Quote:
Definitely a bonus with neighbors. I also like the clean painted looks of the pullet-shut. I'm going to try my hand at painting the galvanized steel on the Ador1 after it arrives.

 

[tcstoehr]

I was going back and forth between both of them but I ended up going with the pullet shut door because I don't want the door opening at the crack of dawn because neighbors. So with this one I can set the time I want it to open and close.

There are various programming options that allow the Ador1 to delay opening. You can use programming option 3 which makes the door open later and close earlier. It may not achieve what you want as far as opening, and it might close too early depending on your chickens' habits.
But there is also programming option 11 with sub-options. If you set option 11 with sub-option 1 the door will open 1/2 hour later. Sub-option 2 gives 1 hour. Sub-option 3 gives 1.5 hours. And so on up to 6. These times are approximate. Programming option 10 cancels out option 11.
But if you absolutely need a convenient timer, then the pulletshut has to be considered.
Personally, I found the Ador1 better in every respect for my situation except for the timer availability. I didn't want to compromise, so I crafted my own timer. The Ador1 has electronic pins available that you can attach to signal the door to open and close, so I used those and I can get the door to open at the exact minute that I want. Not exactly retail consumer friendly, but I find it pretty cool that I can have a different and precise open and close time for each and every day of the year. That is, if you can build the custom electronics to drive it.

 

[Mahlzeit]

There are various programming options that allow the Ador1 to delay opening. You can use programming option 3 which makes the door open later and close earlier. It may not achieve what you want as far as opening, and it might close too early depending on your chickens' habits.
But there is also programming option 11 with sub-options. If you set option 11 with sub-option 1 the door will open 1/2 hour later. Sub-option 2 gives 1 hour. Sub-option 3 gives 1.5 hours. And so on up to 6. These times are approximate. Programming option 10 cancels out option 11.
But if you absolutely need a convenient timer, then the pulletshut has to be considered.
Personally, I found the Ador1 better in every respect for my situation except for the timer availability. I didn't want to compromise, so I crafted my own timer. The Ador1 has electronic pins available that you can attach to signal the door to open and close, so I used those and I can get the door to open at the exact minute that I want. Not exactly retail consumer friendly, but I find it pretty cool that I can have a different and precise open and close time for each and every day of the year. That is, if you can build the custom electronics to drive it.

That seems like a lot of extra effort for something that is supposed to make letting your chickens out easier and more convenient. I went with the pullet shut door. It definitely has to be put on the outside though, it wouldn't work from the inside. I will just have to put a little roof over it to keep out the freezing rain. My only worry was the rain freezing the door shut. My only issue with this door is programming the time you want it to open and close. It would definitely be more convenient if it had a timer to set rather than go out there when you want it to open and close. With the day length constantly change it can be a bit of a pain.

 

[tcstoehr]

That seems like a lot of extra effort for something that is supposed to make letting your chickens out easier and more convenient. I went with the pullet shut door. It definitely has to be put on the outside though, it wouldn't work from the inside. I will just have to put a little roof over it to keep out the freezing rain. My only worry was the rain freezing the door shut. My only issue with this door is programming the time you want it to open and close. It would definitely be more convenient if it had a timer to set rather than go out there when you want it to open and close. With the day length constantly change it can be a bit of a pain.

Building my own electronics *was* alot of effort. Completely unnecessary and done almost entirely for entertainment. The Ador1 worked fine with option #2 set. I just thought I would tweak it out just for the fun of it.

I thought the PulletShut had a timer option or compatibility. Looking at their website it seems you want to change the open/close time you have to reset the system and then program the open time in the morning and come back out at night and program the close time. Seriously?
I see that they have finally added a photo-sensor capability. But no light sensitivity or delay options?
And they have the nerve to advertise this as the "

unchallenged BEST automatic chicken door on the market". If they had just said "best" you could make a case for individual subjectivity. But as it is, this is plain and deliberate lie.​

 

[GardenDmpls]

We have a pullet-shut with solar panel and light sensor controlled open/shut time. It has been working in all the snow and ice this winter, which is great when the backyard is like an ice skating rink and I can't risk going out and breaking a hip. (They have always have about a weeks worth of food and water, although I try to get out there every day.) I teach late two nights a week and it's good to have a reliable door, especially with racoons and possums around. The run is sturdy and hasn't been breached yet, but I want the extra protection.

I also like that the door opens a minute after it closes in case a chicken isn't paying attention. I've only seen it happen a few times, and the chicken got that "uh oh, I'm in trouble" look, than made a mad dash inside when the door reopened. What is funny is I have one Delaware hen who goes in with the others and then goes outside again for a minute, like a kid who wants to be the last one in. Once another chicken followed her out and in, so she stepped out a second time so she could be the last one in. She is in the first picture below.

.

 

[san415]

I have the Ador brand and find it to be very unreliable. Sometimes works mostly does not.

I am going to order a different brand. I am also thinking about the Pullet Shut Door.