Automatic coop door

[nparks]

Chicken math got the best of me. Should have built a way bigger coop from the beginning! Now we have 2 coops (my lovely husband let me convert one of his deer blinds to a coop!!) We’ve been raising chickens for 3 years now and have been opening and closing the coops daily. But 2 kids later and a cold winter, I’m starting to get lazy in the evenings. So, I’m looking into an automatic coop door. However, I know they can be pretty pricy so I don’t think 2 doors are in our budget. I’ve attached a picture of the 2 coops next to each other. What are your thoughts on building some sort of enclosed tunnel/ bridge from one coop to the other and only needing one automatic coop door?

 

[cavemanrich]

Here are my thoughts,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Your chickens are used to going to their respective coop. If you eliminate one door, then there will be some confusion at first. You can train them to all go into one coop though. This will result in them staying in that coop. If you wanted them to use the other coop as well, I think joining the 2 coops together and pretty much removing most of the wall would prove satisfactory. A tunnel between the 2 coops, may not work so well.
If you joined the 2 coops with lets say a 4 foot wide, by 4 foot tall breezeway, you may have good results.
I know that peeps do construct tunnels to connect runs to coop. Those seem to work since they are usually just constructed from wire netting.
Do you know which auto pop door you are considering? I can tell you which I have and why,,, if you would like to know. There are many different ones out there and they have different features, to suit different needs.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[nparks]

Thanks for the input. I was looking into the pullet-shut door. I was looking for something that was solar and battery operated for the many of cloudy days we have here in Michigan. I also liked that it opened outwards instead of the kind that slide up. But I would definitely like to hear what you went with and why. These doors are new to me so I don’t know much about them!

 

[mowin]

Wait.... He "agreed" to let you convert one of his hunting blinds to a coop??

I'm thinking there was some other perks that we're on the chopping block for him to agree to that.

 

[dpenning]

I only have experience with the Ador door. Worked great for 5 years with maybe one or two battery changes... i think only one. At six years it started behaving strange.... so I called them and they walked me through trouble shooting.... mailed me the component to get it back on track and it is working great again. Love not having to open and close coop doors.

 

[speedy2020]

I have Chickenguard Premium and working just fine for 1 door in the last few years. The AA batteries last about a year. If I buy again, a single heavy duty motor all metal gear can be use more than 1 door. I also find the aluminum door ~1.5 -2 lbs work best due to light weight and will extend the motor life.

Example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Automatic-...m4d8e6a9552:g:uyQAAMXQBlJSBf-4&frcectupt=true

 

[cavemanrich]

I have the Ador1. Am very satisfied with it. Gear driven so it is predator proof (raccoons cant lift it open)
I researched pop doors quite much before making the $219 leap. A 6 volt battery will last a year or longer. $5.
Solar operated pop doors sound great,,, but in reality, they only charge a Lead-acid battery. Those batteries cost significantly more when you need to change them. Nothing lasts forever.
Outward swinging pop doors did not appeal to me for 2 reasons. Raccoons are dexterous, and smart, and strong. Unless you precisely install one, and hopefully no dirt gets lodged in the door frame, a raccoon can enter.
The second reason is dirt obstructing the operation, causing incomplete closing. Unless you really watch and clean out the jambs,tracks, you may have issues.
If you do go with the above posters link purchase. That door opener motor is supposed to handle 5 kilo. 11 Lbs. Uses 3 C batteries. It does not come with a door.
You would be able to make 2 doors not to exceed the rated combined weight, and run string/cables to open both doors simultaneously. Not sure of your abilities/resources to make those doors. You would also need a system of rollers to get the desired action/direction of force to open doors.
What I don't like about gravity drop doors, is the possibility of them not totally closing. Due to things like some dirt/chicken droppings, or bedding getting in the way. Other factor, is of course the ease of being opened simply by lifting. Yes,,,, there are some preventive strips of trim that do make it less easy to do the opening by a raccoon.
Here is my Ador1.
In over 2 years, I have had no problems, or break ins. Most certainly do have raccoons around.

 

[Tsheaby]

Chicken math got the best of me. Should have built a way bigger coop from the beginning! Now we have 2 coops (my lovely husband let me convert one of his deer blinds to a coop!!) We’ve been raising chickens for 3 years now and have been opening and closing the coops daily. But 2 kids later and a cold winter, I’m starting to get lazy in the evenings. So, I’m looking into an automatic coop door. However, I know they can be pretty pricy so I don’t think 2 doors are in our budget. I’ve attached a picture of the 2 coops next to each other. What are your thoughts on building some sort of enclosed tunnel/ bridge from one coop to the other and only needing one automatic coop door?

Check out my tutorial on my Automatic Door can easily make two, affordably too!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-diy-automatic-chicken-door.1295391/#post-21071234

 

[sharkerbaby]

I have the Pullet Shut door and am very happy with it. I've had it for a little over a year with no problems. I got it for the same reasons you stated. I am very happy with the smaller profile afforded by the swing out door. The solar powered battery has worked fabulously. I have it programmed to open at dawn and close at dark

 

[Rachela]

I have the Pullet Shut door and am very happy with it. I've had it for a little over a year with no problems. I got it for the same reasons you stated. I am very happy with the smaller profile afforded by the swing out door. The solar powered battery has worked fabulously. I have it programmed to open at dawn and close at dark

Do you leave it open during the day in winter? Mine has run nicely this summer set to open at daylight and close at dusk, but don’t want cooo getting too cold if it’s open all day.