Auto chicken door question

[Just a few more chickens]

Hi all,
Has anyone found an automatic chicken door that you can program to open later in the day (timer function), and auto close in the evening (sensor). I’ve looked through other posts about auto doors (admittedly not all) and from what I’ve found, those with timer and sensor functions seem to be either or, and you cannot use both. I’ve had the ador door for many years, but my girls have decided they like the freedom of laying eggs anywhere they please. So, I’d like to keep them locked up in the mornings until they pay their rent in the boxes provided. But I like the sensor for closing up shop in the evenings. Thanks!

 

[Yardmom]

I can see how this would be useful, but I don't remember seeing that feature when I looked either.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Has anyone found an automatic chicken door that you can program to open later in the day (timer function), and auto close in the evening (sensor).

Yes.. the one from happy hen house (battery operated).. see the instruction manual under control # 8 in the following link..

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...ller_Install_Instructions_v2.pdf?v=1598998358

And a link to their site..

https://happy-henhouse.com/collections/automatic-chicken-coop-doors

It's been a few years since I bought mine.. so please verify current features before diving in.

Even better I was contacted by a company that said they were offering one that can be controlled from an ap on your smartphone (for product testing).. they deleted their pm before I responded.. but I do think that's an even better option IF available!

My place is covered in blackberries.. making hidden nests especially a pain. So I feel ya!

You could still achieve your desired goal using just the timer function.. and setting the time to close for shortly after sundown. Of course that requires a few adjustments to the closing time throughout the year.. but still effective.

Hope ya find what you're looking for!

 

[Brooks_]

Why not just program it for anticipated sunset?

 

[perkolator]

I have a T-50 Run Chicken door and use it with those types of settings. I use the option to delay opening from normal sunrise setting the light sensor would trigger - you set it by opening at a certain time and it will open every day at that time; mine's set to 730-8am instead of sunrise. I just use the sunset/light sensor to close it, but if you can delay this too.

 

[YellowRoseFarm]

Hi all,
Has anyone found an automatic chicken door that you can program to open later in the day (timer function), and auto close in the evening (sensor). I’ve looked through other posts about auto doors (admittedly not all) and from what I’ve found, those with timer and sensor functions seem to be either or, and you cannot use both. I’ve had the ador door for many years, but my girls have decided they like the freedom of laying eggs anywhere they please. So, I’d like to keep them locked up in the mornings until they pay their rent in the boxes provided. But I like the sensor for closing up shop in the evenings. Thanks!

I had the Omlet Automatic Door on my last coop and it worked like a charm. The only con was that the birds would kick the bedding into the track and I found I was regularly clearing it out. It's the horizontal design. It took a couple of days for me to figure out the best time to have it close, but you set the time. In my personal experience, watching the time the flock retires was the best way for me to determine the closing time.

That said, I'm in the market for another door because the Omlet door isn't big enough for my large breeds.

 

[Mouthpear]

Hi all,
Has anyone found an automatic chicken door that you can program to open later in the day (timer function), and auto close in the evening (sensor). I’ve looked through other posts about auto doors (admittedly not all) and from what I’ve found, those with timer and sensor functions seem to be either or, and you cannot use both. I’ve had the ador door for many years, but my girls have decided they like the freedom of laying eggs anywhere they please. So, I’d like to keep them locked up in the mornings until they pay their rent in the boxes provided. But I like the sensor for closing up shop in the evenings. Thanks!

I was going to say Happy Henhouse like EggSighted4Life did in post #3 but was beaten to the punch.

Do you have an auto door now? Do you have reliable WiFi?

Linear Actuator $35.99

Option One: WiFi with the use of a SONOFF 4CH $36.89 or an MHCOZY 4Ch $22.90 Smart Switch you can have a set time to open and close it an hour (whatever amount of time you need) after sunset.
SONOFF will also need DC Power Connector Plug $8.98.

Option Two: You could always use a timer for the day and a ZYT15GK Intelligent Time Photo control switch digital time relay with sensor ZYT15 for the night. In this video I am using two Photocell modules to "agree" with each other before opening/closing door. However you can replace one of the modules with a timer

Timer on the left is an Astronomical Timer $12.00 or Astronomical Timer $12.20, the time you set for on and off will self adjust according to your longitude and time zone. Time self adjust for Daylight savings. (If you decide to get this, I redid the manual so it can actually be read and followed much better.) Set time in the morning and the Timer relay will close it at night.

Timer relay is on the right with photocell. Light sensitivity can be set at 50 levels. Time can be delayed Minutes up to 10 and hours up to 19.

This can also be set up with Dual Relay Socket (Prewired to do this) and 2 Bosch Relays. If you set time to 1 hour past daylight, it will also be 1 hour past night time.