Automatic coop doors: I'd love your input

[BDutch]

I bought the Chickcozy recently because it can open sideways. I needed that because I have no vertical space to mount it. I bought it to lock up a cockerel in a dark cage at night so the neighbours won’t complain the rooster is too noisy early in the morning.

Not many auto door openers can open sideways. Easy install, looks sturdy but I have no clue how long it will last. It can work on light or on set time to open/close.

The Chickencozy can only be bought online and took about 10 days to arrive. The factory didn’t respond when I had a question. Its less expensive than the Omlet door.

I also have a Chickenguard, for 9 years now. It still works, but malfunctioned a few times over the years. I installed it under a roof that leaked at some point and the thread got wet. Had to rewind the thread a few times. Needed to shorten the thread once. Compared to the Chickencozy it was much more complicated to install.

 

[Lils Roost]

Thank you all for your replies! My new coop was finished in July and I ended up getting a Ladies First door. I love it and has worked like a charm so far. It does take a bit more vertical space because it has a larger opening but that wasn't an issue for me. It comes with the solar option and that's a true blessing in disguise. I'm not always home at night when it gets dark and knowing they're likely secure in the coop already gives me piece of mind. I say "likely" because since my initial post in April, I added a few more chicks to the flock. Let's just say that one of my hens isn't playing nice in the sandbox. Ginger is now in the chokey for a few days - attitude adjustment time if you know what I mean.

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Guys, it's time for me to get an automatic coop door. Any other input other than what's in this thread already?

Also, I would prefer this door to be programmable with a clock rather than an optic sensor. Cloudy days could cause the door to close prematurely.

Are there any WiFi compatible Coop Doors?


Thoughts?

FYI, I do have 120VAC in my coop.

TWG

 

[BDutch]

Guys, it's time for me to get an automatic coop door. Any other input other than what's in this thread already?

Also, I would prefer this door to be programmable with a clock rather than an optic sensor. Cloudy days could cause the door to close prematurely.

Are there any WiFi compatible Coop Doors?


Thoughts?

FYI, I do have 120VAC in my coop.

TWG

What is 120VAC? Low voltage electricity? Check the specifications. There are battery operated systems too.

Putting it on time in the evening, is not safe or you have to adjust weekly.

The Chickenguard sensor can be adjusted to make sure it opens on extremely cloudy days too. I have mine inside the coop (has windows) without problems. Only adjusted the lumen setting.

If you prefer to keep the chickens inside until a certain time you can. It can work on the adjustable light sensor in the evening and on a set time in the morning.
There are probably more chicken doors with this feature (check the specifications).

The cheap coop opener (€30) I bought as a present for my brother couldn’t be adjusted. It closed after it was almost completely dark and opened with the first light. A very cloudy day is no problem.
If you have one that can’t be adjusted you can add a light on a timer near the sensor. Simply set the timer on daytime hours.

 

[Lils Roost]

I haven't had any issues with the door not opening on cloudy days and we've had quite a few since I installed it. We actually had over a week of solid rain and clouds and it opened and closed as it should.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

I'm having a new coop built for my ladies and was thinking of an automatic door. But, I'm seeing mixed reviews from doors made of plastic, to doors made with metal; doors that close on items they hit, to the point of a review that one decapitated a bird; doors with nice sensitive stops that won't crack an egg. All of this is leaving my head spinning. I live in CT near a large plot of wetlands; predators abound outside of my fenced yard. These include a pack of coyotes, fox, bob cats and coy wolves. I haven't seen any inside my fenced yard. I want a nice strong door for protection but I don't want one with a closure so strong it can seriously hurt my ladies. I'm new to BYC, new to chicken land and I'd really value any and all input. Thanks in advance.

i live in Connecticut. i have an automatic door but only used it my first year/winter with my hens. i realized that the run is secure enough for me to keep their henhouse door into the run open . I’ve learned that as long as no cold air is blowing on them they are fine. if your run is safe, just block the little door with a curtain or something?!

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

i live in Connecticut. i have an automatic door but only used it my first year/winter with my hens. i realized that the run is secure enough for me to keep their henhouse door into the run open . I’ve learned that as long as no cold air is blowing on them they are fine. if your run is safe, just block the little door with a curtain or something?!

also, Connecticut chickens do quite well in the winter. My biggest adjustment in the winter is their feed. adding more protein. i also hang clear tarps around the entire run in November. good luck!

 

[TexasWineGuy]

What is 120VAC? Low voltage electricity? Check the specifications. There are battery operated systems too.

Putting it on time in the evening, is not safe or you have to adjust weekly.

The Chickenguard sensor can be adjusted to make sure it opens on extremely cloudy days too. I have mine inside the coop (has windows) without problems. Only adjusted the lumen setting.

If you prefer to keep the chickens inside until a certain time you can. It can work on the adjustable light sensor in the evening and on a set time in the morning.
There are probably more chicken doors with this feature (check the specifications).

The cheap coop opener (€30) I bought as a present for my brother couldn’t be adjusted. It closed after it was almost completely dark and opened with the first light. A very cloudy day is no problem.
If you have one that can’t be adjusted you can add a light on a timer near the sensor. Simply set the timer on daytime hours.

120 Volts AC, 60Hz, is standard power in the US.

If I use a timer door I will not have to adjust the "close" settings weekly. Not sure where you get that from. Right now I have an alarm on my Cell Phone to remind me to "Close Chicken Coop" and I only adjust that once a month.

So far, I really like the JVR door for 2 reasons: 1) I can use the timer or the Light Sensor to open and close and 2) the mechanism to open and close the door is a pretty solid leadscrew.


TWG

 

[TooCheep]

So far, I really like the JVR door for 2 reasons: 1) I can use the timer or the Light Sensor to open and close and 2) the mechanism to open and close the door is a pretty solid leadscrew.

Not sure I'm interpreting that last part correctly, but I'm concerned about it. You want the door to resist predators opening it, but if it uses a screw mechanism to close the door, you run the very real risk of crushing a chicken. It has happened before.

You want something that either can sense a blockage or something that can't crush. I have a Chickenguard that moves a metal plate door via a heavy duty string. It is still going strong after 6-7 years. The door slides down into a slot, so a predator can't lift it. The door is light enough that no bird would be hurt by it. I have personally seen my own chickens have the door lower on their back and they nonchalantly walk in and let it close.

 

[BDutch]

Not sure where you get that from.

Chickens do not roost on time. They go to roost when it’s getting dark. And if its dark, the night predators come out to hunt.

So if your sunset times changes, you have to change the settings in time in auto door too.