I will wait until I am sure they go in the coop themselves before I install mine. I have to kind of scare mine into the coop and then they go roost right away. My chickens would most likely just stay in the run, but maybe I will see if they go in the coop themselves at night. It's weird because during the day they go back in the coop after they go out to the run. I would think if a chicken was sitting on the coop door that the noise of the auto door would scare them and they would head inside.Sorry for your loss. I have an auto door for 3 years now. It is just the module attached to a plexiglass home made door weighing about 4 lbs. Can't believe a chicken would sit there while the door is slowly closing. Mine doesn't close with a lot of force as it is the string type. I guess anything can happen with chickens!