Automatic coop door

[rgm8110]

I recently got into the chicken business with the intent to sell eggs to our friends and customers of our horse boarding facility. Where I chose to build my coop is in a remote area of the property not close to the house or the barn complex but in a location that has power and water. I wired the goop and installed receptacles and lights. The coop is 8x12 with 15 nesting boxes and an outside 20x50 lot. Being that it is varmint country I designed to coop and outside run area to keep the varmints at bay by building the coop so when closed up is very tight and impenetrable by varmints. The outside is metal that matches the outer buildings with openings covered by heavy wire 6 foot from the ground to allow air circulation. It is also protected by hot wire as is the outside run. Since the coop is so far from the house I installed an automatic coop door that is controlled by a light sensor so the coop during the night would be locked down and secure from any varmint that possibly could penetrate the the run area.

The door I purchased was called REDdoor from www.bestcoopdoor.com out of Kennsington MD. It was easy to install and worked good for about a month, when it stopped working.

Does anyone have suggestions on another automatic door that actually works and is supported if repairs are needed. I would appreciate any advise offered!

edited by staff

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I haven't bought any. I'm in the process of making my own because I need 16 of them and can't afford that many commercial ones.

The only suggestion I have is to be wary of the light sensors. If you get a particularly bad storm and it gets too dark early or even during the day, that low light may cause it to close prematurely. I think a timer is more reliable. Some even will increment and decrement with the season.

 

[rgm8110]

Thanks for the advise and I will probably go with a timer apposed to a light sensor when I purchase another door to replace the one that was of poor design and totally unsupported by the manufacturer! Trouble shooting revealed that it was not the light sensor that was the issue but the electronics in the unit which failed shortly after the door was installed.
Before I invest in another door to replace the one I had I would like to hear from others who have purchased an automatic coop door and have had good service from it and positive customer service from the manufacture!

 

[barneveldrerman]

I am looking for a reliable automatic coop door. When you finish building it can you tell us your design. I have no problem making it especially when it is cheaper.


Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

With all the birds I've lost, in hindsight, it would have been cheaper to buy 16 commercially built doors.

With some configurations of buildings I could operate 10 of the doors with one motor and a series of cables and pulleys.
Another 4 doors with another combination. That would only leave 2 buildings with a single system.

 

[AJ83]

My husband programmed and made one himself. He used a sunset/sunrise calculation instead of timers and light sensors. He also put sensors in the door so that if a chicken was in the way it would stop and open and then try and close again later.

 

[rgm8110]

Beware of of www.bestcoopdoor.com as this business sells an inferior product and will not support it!