automatic coop door opener

[KDK1]

Pretty cool setup, good idea to use a cutting board for the door. I got a couple questions, what did you use for the locking pegs, and can you confirm the lock works just by gravity. How hard was it to find the pivot point for the locks, and hints or advice to others trying to duplicate it?

Thanks for sharing.

The pegs are just some steel rod I had laying around. I drilled a hole in the blocks and inserted the rods. Yes, it all works on good ol' gravity. The pivot point is pretty simple really... as long as you have more weight opposite the locking mechanism, it will work. As far as tips go, the blocks have to move freely. I drilled a hole large enough for 3/8" copper about 7/8" long so it will sit proud of the 3/4" block and ran my bolt through the copper tubing. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

I don't see any reason why you couldn't attach the pullet shut door to an existing door as long as the bottom portion is not glass or screen (some have a solid metal panel at the bottom, this is what the person above was asking about). Mine is on the side of the coop, but I could have just as easily installed it on the people door to the coop.

Thanks for the responses. I was afraid that the door might be too heavy for it. I am also wondering how hard/easy it would be to make it detachable as I would only prefer to use it when we are not home.

 

[jojomojo]

Thanks for the responses. I was afraid that the door might be too heavy for it. I am also wondering how hard/easy it would be to make it detachable as I would only prefer to use it when we are not home.

If its too heavy or not will depend on your door I'm sure. I don't remember it being that heavy before I installed it, but definitely email the company and ask them about the weight and what they think.

As for not using it all the time, you could leave it installed but just detach it from the power source. You wouldn't want to take the whole door off because you would need to cut a hole in the big door (like installing a doggy door, here's a video of installation).

 

[pwand]

Here's a link to the automatic door I put together. I have links to where to buy the motor from Canada and US. It works great.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-opener-to-buy-in-canada-and-usa#post_4806260

 

[HoosierHeightsFarms]

This is the one I built. It is powered by the add-a-motor connected to a timer. Very secure. Been working fine for a year now

Very impressive!
Do you really need the lock? It's cool, don't get me wrong.

How much line does the Add-a-motor take up? I'm wondering if it would open my swing up door.

 

[KDK1]

Very impressive!
Do you really need the lock? It's cool, don't get me wrong.

How much line does the Add-a-motor take up? I'm wondering if it would open my swing up door.

You only need your pop door to lock if you want to keep intelligent little critters from pushing it up when your run is not 100% secure. I modified the set-up on my add-a-motor. I have three wraps of 100# test line and it still spools about 13".

 

[MI chickens]

I've designed and built a couple chicken door openers, one I sold last summer, they seem to be doing very well. Mine two year old opener is lifting a 7+ pound door and it doesn't seem to have a problem with it. The door is so heavy because I mounted my door on heavy duty drawer slides which added a lot of weight to it (I won't do that again)

The first unit worked great, the only problem I had with it is that I used a mechanical timer which seemed to have wore out after a year, I replaced that with an electronic timer that works great.I use all new parts in these.

Icing up of the doors is a problem that doesn't seem to have an easy solution, I think a canopy would help, but not possibly solve it.

I figure I'll put a few more door openers together and put them in the buy-sell-trade section sometime soon. If you have any question just PM me.
I had also thought about putting together a set of plans,and selling those to the mechanically minded, but I've been a little busy. If your interested in plans PM me that might help me get going on it.

 

[laser106]

Look at this opener, It has timer and needs no external power source. Just check the batteries every 6 mo

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Titan-Autom...079&pid=100033&prg=1011&rk=3&sd=330880544970&

 

[Sue Gilfoy]

I am interested in an automatic coop door opener. Your posting did not have any photo or info, just a title. . . try again. . . Sue

 

[BeccaSmith]

The www.AdorStore.com automatic chicken door opener closer works horizontally. Read the blog on that site...it says something about putting it sideways. It automatically opens at first light and closes at dark, and does not need to be programmed or set. Just screw it to the wall over the hole.

After we had continuous problems with the Poultry Butler, my husband and I decided to try a different auto chicken door opener. We debated between the Pullet Shut Door and the Ador. We decided we wanted to stick with a door that opened and closed vertically so we opted to try the Ador. When we first purchased it it seemed to have some problems being consistent on closing, but in all fairness we were having the worst winter temps back in January that we have had in a long time, below zero degree weather at night, so we figured it was something to do with that. After a couple of months we decided to contact the maker of Ador and he had us ship the motor back to him since the problem was a faulty motor. He promptly swapped it out at no charge and sent it back to us and it has been working beautifully ever since, and the door is much lower priced then most out their on the market!