Automatic coop doors: I'd love your input

[Toffael]

I've had the Run Chicken for 2 years now and love it! As Perkolator said, the only downside is the manual door button that a racoon can access - and one DID in my case. My door is installed on the run attached to the coop, so I solved that issue by installing the door on the inside of the run (keeping the manual operation button protected when the door is closed). I like that setup better also because it is a little darker in the run, so the door closes a little earlier. I usually go out and close the door manually (unless I'm out of town), but the automatic opening in the morning is worth the money alone! Good luck!

do you have the t50? i see it has light sensors.
can you also set the time manually to a time of your own choosing?
also does the safety sensor really work? what chance of a headless dead chicken?!

 

[Toffael]

We have the brand Run Chicken and have used it for the past month. Love it so far but the only thing giving me some pause is the button the manually open the door is outside the coop. I do worry a predator could accidentally knock the button and get inside. Anybody found a guard for that yet?

do you have the t50? i see it has light sensors.
can you also set the time manually to a time of your own choosing?
also does the safety sensor really work? what chance of a headless dead chicken?!

 

[Toffael]

I installed a Run-Chicken automatic door about a year ago and it works great! It is metal and is very secure. The only down side that I can point out is that I had to adjust the timer when the seasons change from fall to winter, and from winter to spring. The setting I use is dependent on light (sunrise and sunset). The door tends to close a bit early when the length of daylight changes. It's an easy fix though. You can change the setting to open and close at different intervals, after sunrise and/or sunset (20 minutes, 40 minutes, etc.) The door can also be set to open and close at specific times as well. This mode will need more adjustments, but it is an option. You can also set it in GPS mode, which they say will self adjust. I never used that setting because of privacy concerns, but that's just my mindset.
Hope this is helpful...Best to you and your ladies!

do you have the t50? i see it has light sensors.
can you also set the time manually to a time of your own choosing?
also does the safety sensor really work? what chance of a headless dead chicken?!

 

[Demarvell]

18 months with my Omlet door, and no problems. No buttons for critters to touch. I finally changed the batteries for the first time since installing it, just because I am afraid they might go bed during this upcoming sub-zero weather.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

do you have the t50? i see it has light sensors.
can you also set the time manually to a time of your own choosing?
also does the safety sensor really work? what chance of a headless dead chicken?!

I've had the T50 for over 4yrs, factory setting is it will close 20 minutes after sunset and open 20 minutes after sunrise. You can also set it to whatever open/ close time you'd like manually or with the app. It's very easy to set. I have had tons of chicks while having this door along with a lot of grow outs (some stay, some find other homes) and I've never had an issue with them becoming headless lol. If you put your hand in the door it stops the minute it touches it, then opens back up.

 

[Mamilo]

I have the Run Chicken Eternal model. It has a solar panel that recharges the batteries (rechargeable batteries should be good for 5 years). I use the GPS mode and it opens the door 20 min after sunrise and closes the door 20 min after sunset. It adjusts the time automatically without fail. I did test it on my hand while the door is closing, and as soon as it touches my hand, it stops and opens again, so no risk of injuring a chicken. My door lets the chickens out in an enclosed run, so there is no risk a raccoon can manually open the door using the manual button on the door. I installed the door 3 months ago and highly recommend it!

 

[Toffael]

I've had the T50 for over 4yrs, factory setting is it will close 20 minutes after sunset and open 20 minutes after sunrise. You can also set it to whatever open/ close time you'd like manually or with the app. It's very easy to set. I have had tons of chicks while having this door along with a lot of grow outs (some stay, some find other homes) and I've never had an issue with them becoming headless lol. If you put your hand in the door it stops the minute it touches it, then opens back up.

I have the Run Chicken Eternal model. It has a solar panel that recharges the batteries (rechargeable batteries should be good for 5 years). I use the GPS mode and it opens the door 20 min after sunrise and closes the door 20 min after sunset. It adjusts the time automatically without fail. I did test it on my hand while the door is closing, and as soon as it touches my hand, it stops and opens again, so no risk of injuring a chicken. My door lets the chickens out in an enclosed run, so there is no risk a raccoon can manually open the door using the manual button on the door. I installed the door 3 months ago and highly recommend it!

thanks for reply and it’s very reassuring -

based on that, i’ve just ordered one!

my main reason to want one is so i can give birds the option to leave coop at 6.30am as we aren’t awake, and typically can only do it at 8am. i’ve noticed that when i open at 8am, rooster is in a bad horny mood, desperate to mate, so im hoping letting him out a little earlier will calm him abit and make him abit more palatable for the hens

i’ll still personally close the door at night, normally an hour after sunset. but it’s great to have the option to do via settings in winter if someone isn’t home, to lock out winter night chills. can i have it for only morning auto opening and leave evening option off?

 

[BDutch]

i’ll still personally close the door at night, normally an hour after sunset. but it’s great to have the option to do via settings in winter if someone isn’t home, to lock out winter night chills. can i have it for only morning auto opening and leave evening option off?

needs to be closed to open it.

If you close it manually before the set time or if you have one that works on lumen with an hour time delay it can.

Yesterday I forgot to lock up the chickens in the run after free ranging. So I was glad my pop doors (between the run and coops) close automatically when it’s getting dark. They close about 30 minutes after sunset. The coops have windows to check on them. In the morning they automatically stay in the run until I let them out to free range in the afternoon /at a convenient time.

 

[zippy722]

Here's a follow-up to my "chicken door choice." I ended up going with the Ladies First door. Install was super easy. As is true for most doors, you just need to get it level so it closes properly. The closing of the door is just what I'd hoped for; slow closure that reopens (to about 3 inches) three before its fully closed. This worked great when my ladies were first getting used it. I love that this door opens and closes with an internal metal piece that looks almost like a long screw. This means no cords to break. Mine is installed so it's about 2 inches above the floor of the coop which helps keep the bedding from getting in the doorway but if there is something thin the door closes which is great. I just added one little thing to my morning routine which is to wipe any bedding from the door. The solar panel that both recharges the batteries and opens / closes the door is about 4" x 5" so it's not large and well....not so unpleasant to look at.

And the convenience of the additional switch is a huge bonus. I have it mounted to the outside of my run and being able to close or open it from the outside is great.

So far...... I would highly recommend this door.

Lils Roost, can you explain your decision process on reaching Ladies First please? You had loads of suggestions as I’ve read through all of this. I’m trying to decide now and I’m all over the board, and can’t seem to narrow this down at all. Thanks for any insights!

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Here's a follow-up to my JVR Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener:

So far it's been great. No complaints. I can run it on 120VAC or on an installed Solar system.

I would not hesitate to buy another one of these doors in the future.

TWG