Automatic chicken door killed hen

[wleigh1021]

My husband made me an automatic chicken door using steel plate, timers, and an actuator. The chickens have been using it for about a month now with no problems. Tonight I went to make sure everything was ok and found a pullet squished by the door. This type of door seems pretty popular so has anyone else had this problem? I guess she decided to roost in the doorway and didn't move out of the way even though the door takes a minute to close and makes a lot of noise. Any idea on how to keep them from roosting in the doorway?

 

[The Phantom]

Do you have a picture?

 

[blackdog043]

Sorry about loosing one of your pullets. I don't have any ideas about not roosting in the doorway, mine stays open 24/7.

 

[The Phantom]

Sorry that happened.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

sorry for your loss

 

[cholland]

That's terrible.
My setup sounds similar with a wood door, no steel plate.
I've been using mine for just about a year with no problems.
I had a hen isolated for a few weeks and the first night I put her back in with the rest she tried to roost on top of the door. I was watching so I moved her, or she might have lost her toes. Never did it again. They are all in on the roost bars probably 10 minutes or more before the door closes.

You might be able to incorporate some kind of light sensor that would prevent the door from closing if something was in the doorway?

I'm interested in a solution to this too. I occasionally wonder when I may find a chicken in the door.

 

[wleigh1021]

I'll look into seeing if there's some kind of sensor that can be added. If not I might have to change to the chicken door which I originally didn't go with because it's not as predator safe. I'll try to post picture in the morning. I did have a plastic dog house door flap to try and discourage them hanging out there. It takes about 4 sec for the door to move an inch so I really don't understand why she didn't move

 

[Teila]

I read a similar story just the other week: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/auto-coop-door.1218315/

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Could you possibly hang a small ball or strips of material from the door so that the ball or material actually comes in contact with a rogue chicken before the actual door?

 

[Sphynxlover]

Oohh so sorry !