Automatic coop Door’s Recommendations?

[electrycmonk]

Sooooo. The doors I researched and bought 4 years ago both slowly died over the last 8-10 months.

I went to Amazon a couple weeks ago to find the seller (they also had a website off Amazon) and was not able to find them. [edit to add] I just tried the search function that now a part of the order history. (Quietly says to self, “When did that happen to show up??”) So, found them…..
https://happy-henhouse.com/collections/accessories-replacement-parts

looks like everything(replacement parts-wise) is sold out!

So in the meantime. What brand and model of automatic coop doors have you bought and share Your Pro/Con’s as well please.

The style I got was battery operated with a clock & photo sensor to allow you to choose either time of light for open and close. It had 4 simple settings:
0/0 both photo sensor
1/0 time/photo
1/1 time/time
0/1 photo/time

It ran off 4AA’s and usually gave over 6 months of carefree use.

If there was a controller for sale that I can simply swap out and keep the string spooled sliding door - still mounted to the coop’s walls… That is my ideal solution.(wish)

From post #17 in our “coop’s build” thread here are the only 2 pictures of the freshly installed automatic door back in Dec 2019.





Sorry I do not currently have Amazon app opened to purchase history so I can cut n paste the info from there & then.

 

[TooCheep]

The Chicken Guard looks like it could be a direct replacement for your old controller. I have been using the Pro model and it is still going strong after 6 years.

 

[electrycmonk]

The Chicken Guard looks like it could be a direct replacement for your old controller. I have been using the Pro model and it is still going strong after 6 years.

Interesting design…. So I went to the “products” page & found the “pro”:

https://www.chickenguard.com/product/pro/

I think *this* is the specific item You we’re hinting at?

 

[TooCheep]

Yes. Mine looks a more squarish, but apparently they updated it in 2023. You don't need their self-locking door, so I recommend just the Pro controller unit. You could simply mount it to the wall in place of your old one.

It operates the door using a string, like your old unit and appears to have somewhat more advanced controls and display. It also uses 4 AA batteries that I swap out twice/year.

I called it a "direct replacement" because it is so similar to what you described for your old controller.

Edit: If you just use the timer function to open/close, then you can get by with the Standard model. You need the Pro model to also get light sensors. The display and buttons allows you to fine tune many settings including the lumens (brightness) to open/close, clock/timer settings, length of string at open/close, etc.

 

[3 NH reds]

I will check out that door thanks for the info.

I found this on Amazon, and I like the metal door and it's solar.

 

[TooCheep]

I will check out that door thanks for the info.

I found this on Amazon, and I like the metal door and it's solar.

Nice. I didn't know that they had started selling on Amazon. Looks like they still have some of the older models available for a lower price.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I've had my run chicken door (battery operated) for about 4yrs, love it! The batteries (2 AA) only need to be changed every 8 months. You can set open and close time through the app or manually, or it will auto close/open 20 minutes after sunset/sunrise. It will also work in our bipolar winter weather

 

[electrycmonk]

Nice. I didn't know that they had started selling on Amazon. Looks like they still have some of the older models available for a lower price.

On Amazon the “older model” at lower prices? Care the share a screenshot so I can look it up?

 

[TooCheep]

On Amazon the “older model” at lower prices? Care the share a screenshot so I can look it up?

The older models are more rectangular than the newer ones. Just search for "Chicken Guard" on Amazon to see the various models. Here are a couple of the older models:
https://www.amazon.com/ChickenGuard-Standard-Automatic-Chicken-Accessories/dp/B00TONAPSG - timer/manual control only
https://www.amazon.com/ChickenGuard-Premium-Automatic-Chicken-Accessories/dp/B00TONTHRG - light/timer/manual control

Based on my experience, I wouldn't have a problem recommending one of the older models.

 

[electrycmonk]

The Chicken Guard looks like it could be a direct replacement for your old controller. I have been using the Pro model and it is still going strong after 6 years.

Thanks so much.... took me a few days to time the phone call correctly with GMT versus CDT.

found it on their amazon official page and ordered 2 of the pro and found a pair of 110v transformers that drop to the correct voltage and amperage..... selected the "prime" option and now its showing a delivery of Monday? Yesterday when I ordered the stuff it was showing delivery of Friday before that usual 10PM timeline.