Automatic coop door?

[Mouthpear]

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.

I don't usually recommend doors that are on the market, because I like to put together my own setup, and recommend others do the same. That way if something breaks they can just replace parts and not have to junk the whole thing. But I do like the ADOR1 Automatic Chicken Door.

So I recommend.....

If all you are look for is, for it to open and close via internet/phone app/home network and that's it, I would go with one of these. Or better yet, the same thing but with mounting case and RF remote. They both have onboard buttons for manual operation. Use a 4 CH one and you can add a timed auto feeder or lights. Turning on lights, in the coop, before the door closes helps to draw them in earlier. Chickens don't have good eyesight in the dark. So they go to where they can see better.

Disclaimer: I do not have one of these nor have I used them before. I use timers, arduino, astronomical timers, Photocell, and WiFi relay boards. But I have NOT as of yet purchased one of these. However I do think they will do the job.

As shown on this guys video. Expect I would wire it like the diagram I am providing. You will have to program the morning relay to turn on for like two minutes then turn off. Same for both open/close times

Wiring it this way will let you open and close then shut off the power to the Motor/Actuator. Saves on battery power.



Apparently you can use it with most of the google home and alexa type home automation. You can set up times to open and close. Look here for information to setup through IFTTT for automatic Sunrise and Sunset times. I think you can even get the local temperature and not let the door open on very cold days.






Just throwing this in since it was mentioned.

As for photos cell driven doors it's all about how you set it up. Now most of the ones on the market have built in time delay so it helps. I set this one up with two very low cost $ 2.59 X4 paid a total of $ 22.30. Place it in my patio where the light was minimal for several days. It stayed open all day and closed when it actually got dark. You just have to set sensitivity hi with a long delay time. this way it doesn't close with passing clouds, or even cloudy days. I set the delay time to very short for the video.

 

[Mouthpear]

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...

I don't like the pulley systems either. There are some people who have that locking mechanism tho. Very cool.

 

[Mouthpear]

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.

Have you found out what you are going with?

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

Have you found out what you are going with?

I haven’t, i like the ador1 but I haven’t made up my my mind , my coop is set up with a very wide 4’ door that it will be mounted in it requires some design considerations, you all have given me much food for thought.

 

[Mouthpear]

I haven’t, i like the ador1 but I haven’t made up my my mind , my coop is set up with a very wide 4’ door that it will be mounted in it requires some design considerations, you all have given me much food for thought.

I didn't know the ador1 had wifi?

If you are putting it on a door, then you might want to get one of those plastic omelet doors. They work on AA batteries. They have a photoresistor for dawn til dusk operation and I believe they can be set for timed operation.

Love these two videos.

 

[DouglasB]

I put an automatic door on my coop, it has a timer and works well. I still go check on them every night and every morning. I would be there to open and close it anyway, so i guess i didnt need it. I worry too much about my ladies to trust the technology.

 

[Mouthpear]

I put an automatic door on my coop, it has a timer and works well. I still go check on them every night and every morning. I would be there to open and close it anyway, so i guess i didnt need it. I worry too much about my ladies to trust the technology.

Well I still went out and hung out with them a lot. Still there were times I can't get home on time and it would close. Even then I still have cameras set up to keep an eye on them.

The next coop I build will be a big one with all the bells and whistles. Literally. I have an arduino to work over wifi and internet. Every hour on the hour bells ring like a clock tower. Added Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner triangle chimes too, for when the timed feeder turns on. Adding a misting system for when it's hot. LOL.

 

[Mimi Chickaduck]

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.

I agree. Mine are the same way. We lost a duck the other night because we went to visit my daughter & got back late. My heart is breaking!! If only we had a door like that!!!RIP my sweet little quacker.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I didn't know the ador1 had wifi?

It doesn’t, but it does have photo electric, and i can do WiFi switching, if the photocell is inside i can put a light in there turn it off when i see all the kids inside.
I dont want this as a substitute for going out and dealing with them, I just want it to keep them safe when i work late or have meetings. I like going out to say good night anyway.

 

[Mouthpear]

It doesn’t, but it does have photo electric, and i can do WiFi switching, if the photocell is inside i can put a light in there turn it off when i see all the kids inside.
I dont want this as a substitute for going out and dealing with them, I just want it to keep them safe when i work late or have meetings. I like going out to say good night anyway.

So just to make sure I understand what you are intending to do....

You are going to put a light inside the coop, so the brightness of the light shines on the photocell and keeps it open or the sun keeps it open all day. Then at duck the light keep the the door open until you turn off the light via wifi, and then the door closes.

Is that right?

Ok I don't mean this to be rude in any kinda way so please don't take it as such.

That door is $300 on amazon. It doesn't have the features you want , and you are going to add more cost with the WiFi light.

A good Linear actuator will cost you $40 and the materials to make the actual door should only cost you $20 at the most. Add the cost of the WiFi relay board I mentioned 4ch $23.90. Plus 4 light bars for $21, that only comes out to $104.90.

Not to mention that the WiFi light you get is probably (unless it's an all in one thing) the same thing as the Relay Module I linked to. So why not get one that will do it all for you. You don't need to program it either. You can keep it "manually" controlled via WiFi.

I can give you a link to where I got 6 (yes 6) actuators of very good quality, style and lightweight but tough. I got them at different times for $30 each. Loved the first one so much I got two more. That's all they had at the time. When they got more, I ordered three more. Their price went up to $40 tho. If I need more I would still pay it. If you shop or ask around you might find a cheaper one. Heck if you want one a little less stylish for $35 I know of one on ebay. I purchased one from them at the same time I purchased the first one I like so much. Bottom Pic. It's Just a bit louder tho.

It's the center one in this video. Purchase #1

And it's also the one in this video. Purchase #2

Comes with the mounting hardware. Some don't.