Automatic Chicken Coop Doors

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Yup, that's the one I have, too. It's SO worth it! I like that it runs on regular batteries, not a 12 volt battery. I use the light sensor, not the timer, and only ONCE has it left a chicken outside - my usual "wanna stay out late" pullet. She knows NOW and has always made it inside. All the other chickens are inside well before it closes.

I keep trying to figure out a way to retrofit my other coops to utilize the same one, 'cause I'd buy more of 'em and install 'em if I could!

 

[Tigerjane]

So it looks like there's 5 things you buy in order to use it, is that right?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
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)

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
No, just buy the inside mount. If you have a sliding door already, you don't need the door. But if you don't, then buy the door, it comes with the track to install it in. I have the 12X15 door in one coop. The other has a sliding wood door, so I just hooked the opener to it.

 

[BillT]

Quote:
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.

 

[bald egg]

I have the Add a moter on mine and LOVE IT!! It does close slow whick gives the girls time to move before the doo comes down. I did however set the timer to close after Bob and the girls are on their roost. I bought a $15 timer that I felt I could trust and have no worries when it comes to the safety of my small flock. The door is up before i am and down after they are in bed. EZ PZ!!!

 

[PetChickenBoo]

Here's a link to an article from Make magazine about a guy that made an automatic door for his chickens that has a motion detector and even sends him an email or text message as they come back in every evening. He did some other things for the coop as well. I've been unable to convince my husband so far that we really need this for our coop

http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol22?pg=3#pg66

 

[lacasitarojafarm]

Quote:
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.

 

[Chicklette 1]

Has anyone used the Poultry Butler.. Would like to know because we are about to install it on our new coop but it is still in the box. Appreciate any feedback from you folks.

 

[AlaskGirl]

I'm getting "more valuable" everyday when I read costs of what I do manually already!!

I'm not spending any more on extras right now but it would be perfect in the winter (Alaska).