Automatic coop door?

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I see several automatic coop door options, none that allow me to operate it remotely. My ducks are really good about going in at dark, last night I was not home before dark, they were all inside and quiet. I don’t think they like being outside after dark, even when I got their peas ready they were still peering out the door, usually they are right under foot, If I make 10 trips in and out so do they. Is there a door I could operate remotely via cell phon or whatever, I could check the camera to make sure they are all in then shut it. It would be super helpful, I would need another Blink, but that is no big deal.

 

[cavemanrich]

I use an Ador1 light activated pop door. I personally do like it, and have used it for 3 years with no problems. I don't live a wired life with everything operated by WIFI, and my chicken coop does not need to be computerized. That does not mean I'm against others making things automatic for their coops.
I will tag 3 members that may be able to help you with the remote control options you are seeking. @jthornton , @Mouthpear , @d4ve

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I use an Ador1 light activated pop door. I personally do like it, and have used it for 3 years with no problems. I don't live a wired life with everything operated by WIFI, and my chicken coop does not need to be computerized. That does not mean I'm against others making things automatic for their coops.
I will tag 3 members that may be able to help you with the remote control options you are seeking. @jthornton , @Mouthpear , @d4ve

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I could probably do that, and it would be a light I turn on and off wirelessly, I am an electrician and wholeheartedly agree with you on some things being too darn complicated. however I have found with my busy ( and uncertain) life my days don't always go as planned, if I were able to lock them inside when I can't be there to do it myself I would fee a lot better. maybe the photocell is the way to go, I had been thinking about putting a light in there as an added attractant. I feel guilty when I go out there with my head lamp and look in through the open door to see 16 little eyes peering from the far corner of the coop.. they do like their schedule, and they get all ruffled when they don't get it.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have the Ador1, too, but I have seen posts elsewhere of folks who have electric doors hooked into outlets/relays that allow them to operate it with a remote. I have also seen some doors that are operable via phone apps.

 

[jthornton]

My coop doors are controlled by a Raspberry Pi and open at sunrise and close at dusk with the astral times updated each new day. They could be programmed to open/close at other times if needed. I don't do remote phone things...

JT

 

[jthornton]

maybe the photocell is the way to go

You do have to add some smarts to the photo cell to prevent closing during dark moments during the day. I tried that at first but gave up on that idea pretty quick.

I'm an Electrician as well as a bunch of other trades like Machinist, Millwright, Engineer heck I'm even a grave digger for larger animals lol.

JT

 

[Aunt Angus]

@this a jthornton of all trades.

I thought about the phone things for days it's miserable, and I don't wanna go outside. But the auto door I have works great. I can honestly leave them for a while if I wanted. I had COVID for a bit, and all I could manage was to peek out the window to see if the door had opened. I just loaded up the feeders and waterers and let them be. Everyone was fine, but the poop board.... that was another story.

 

[EvaluationUnit]

Any of you currently with automated doors, how well do they do during the winter?

One of our girls started screaming right around dawn to be let out so we started considering buying an automated door so they could be let out and not annoy the neighbors. We managed to solve that by rearranging who she sleeps with, so it kind of negated the need, but I'm still curious about automated doors. My problem is my ducks don't go in when it's dark, so there's got to be some way I can manually lift a door to corral them in. Plus I heard some doors might not hold up to New England winters.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Any of you currently with automated doors, how well do they do during the winter?

One of our girls started screaming right around dawn to be let out so we started considering buying an automated door so they could be let out and not annoy the neighbors. We managed to solve that by rearranging who she sleeps with, so it kind of negated the need, but I'm still curious about automated doors. My problem is my ducks don't go in when it's dark, so there's got to be some way I can manually lift a door to corral them in. Plus I heard some doors might not hold up to New England winters.

Mine is great. I live in California, so nothing like the weather you have there, but it's secure and programmable (kind of). But you can manually operate it whenever you want.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I

Any of you currently with automated doors, how well do they do during the winter?

One of our girls started screaming right around dawn to be let out so we started considering buying an automated door so they could be let out and not annoy the neighbors. We managed to solve that by rearranging who she sleeps with, so it kind of negated the need, but I'm still curious about automated doors. My problem is my ducks don't go in when it's dark, so there's got to be some way I can manually lift a door to corral them in. Plus I heard some doors might not hold up to New England winters.

I think the Ador1 would hold up. I got it because it doesnt have a pulley system and is predator-proof. You can't force that thing up without disassembling it. Well, maybe with a crowbar...