Automatic Chicken Coop Doors

[WVDan44]

So far, I see the Add A Motor, the Chicken Door, and the...heck, I forgot the third one. My question is this: what keeps the door closed tightly. The Add A Motor one looks like the door just goes up and down on a string with no plan for keeping the door rigid to keep out varmints. If that is so, what's to prevent a coon or possum from raising the door. The one that does seem to have a tight closing design is the Chicken Door one for $180.00. Help me out here. Is this what I'm seeing?

 

[NurseDr]

My door, the Pullet-Shut, (maybe that is what you are calling the chicken door) closes like a regular door and is on a gear mechanism. It is flush with the frame. I don't think anything could get it open unless they use a tool such as a screw driver and significant force to break it. But, I live in the city and predators are not a big concern. We have had raccoons, porcupines, cats, snakes, hawks and kids. None I think could get it open.

 

[WVDan44]

The other one is the Pullet Closed. I see that someone says it is closed by a direct drive motor and cannot be raised any other way. That's what I'm looking for. No matter how well the outside run is built, when you live with as many varmints as we have here in the east, they are persistent in trying to break in, and eventually will succeed. Coons, red and grey fox, possum, skunk, weasels (my biggest fear), rats, snakes, feral cats, and the list goes on. Weasels can pass through an incredibly small opening, and they will just kill for the joy of it. Coons can use their hands as a human does, and they self-educate themselves and retain memory for up to 3 years. Fox, coon, and others are diggers that will try and get by the buried wire barrier. To help me sleep better, I need to know that the door cannot be opened from outside by pulling, prying or lifting. What say y'all?

 

[WVDan44]

Sorry, I meant Pullet Shut. LOL

 

[WVDan44]

I'm leaning toward the Pullet Shut for the reasons I previously mentioned - VARMINTS! There are some draw backs, but nothing that can't be overcome. For instance, having to get up and be out there early to set the time the door opens, but I get up early anyway. Then, having to buy the other components separately from other companies, but again, that is only a one-time inconvenience. Over all, it is looking like the safer door. I will continue my research.

 

[NurseDr]

I don't think critters could get into my Pullet shut door. It was easy to install, four screws. The programing did demand one early morning trip to the coop, but I have not change it since I installed it in April. You can open and shut the door without changing the programing. Or I should say kids can open and shut the door, I have not need to do that, but with winter weather that maybe useful. But, the main reason I chose this was it fit in my tractor. I also like the lack of moving parts that I thought could create issues.

 

[lacasitarojafarm]

My coop is on property that is next to a wildlife preserve. We have had weasels get in, reacoons, there's been a coyote spotted and an eagle took two hens about a month ago. Since I got the automatiic door from Foy's I have only lost the two hens to eagles and that was at midday. I am pretty sure the varmits are still out there and I know they are getting past the electric fence, however they are not getting past the automatic door. I love it.

 

[WVDan44]

I just placed my order for the Pullet-Shut door today. Afterwards, I drove over to Dick's Sporting Goods store and found a 12v/7.5 Ah rechargeable battery model #12v81 by Wildgame innovations for under $30.00 and a12 volt heavy duty solar charger model BL-1260-S by American Hunter for under $30.00. Cabela's was out of stock on their charger, plus theirs is about $20.00 more. I'm feeling a lot better about keeping varmints out of the coop now.

 

[LostLakeChicks]

DO NOT USE POULTRY BUTLER. They have poor customer service to the point where he told me that communication works both ways yet I have proof I have been emailing him and calling him for over a week for help. Then when requesting a refund, he received the door back in the original box with original packaging and had it for over 2 weeks but still has not processed my refund. The timer did not work and by the time I got help from them I lost chickens to raccoons already. Bad company!!! Stay away!

 

[bayareapilot]

I love the Pullet-Shut door... Has been working well for years and its operation has always been very dependable. I got the update with the light sensor and couldn't be happier - no need to adjust the opening and closing times to compensate for seasonal light changes. Always found the customer service excellent.

I know some are looking for lower-cost alternatives, but I find this item reasonably priced and extremely dependable and for me, peace of mind about my hens being okay is worth paying a few more bucks for.