automatic coop doors

[swamphiker]

I've been very happy with my Omlet door, you can see my review and others' reviews of different automatic coop doors here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/categories/automatic-coop-doors.16/

For me, it was worth spending a bit of extra $ to have a door I knew would be reliable and have customer service. I'm handy and could have made a door, but I am busy with work and other house projects plus I didn't want to have to worry about the door while traveling.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have 3 of these, they work well reliably and were easy to install in addition to being (relatively) affordable.. (bought mine from Amazon) Batteries last a long time in my weather conditions.

https://happy-henhouse.com/products...door-opener-kit-light-sensor-battery-operated

My only issue with run-chicken is it won't fit turkeys.... Anyone know of an extra large door for my newest flock of feathers?

Consider using the same mechanism but fabricating the door size.

Is the opening 8”? Do you think it’s adequate for Orpingtons?

8 inches wide and 10 inches tall should be good enough for all chickens including Orpington. My Bielefelders had no issues and they were quite good sized. They do have to duck their heads but that's okay.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

Have owned 5, run-chicken is my favorite of the ones still available, but I haven't had a pullet door some mention above.

My only issue with run-chicken is it won't fit turkeys.... Anyone know of an extra large door for my newest flock of feathers?

Pullet Shut has a turkey door but the original chicken door is quite large. My full grown boer goat managed to squeeze through it and then couldn’t get out

Until I got my electric fence up, I had to place boards across the opening inside the coop to keep the goats out.

 

[affacat]

Pullet Shut has a turkey door but the original chicken door is quite large. My full grown boer goat managed to squeeze through it and then couldn’t get out

Until I got my electric fence up, I had to place boards across the opening inside the coop to keep the goats out.

I noticed this after I asked and went to their site. Pricey but looks solid. We're going to need some sort of solution so I guess that's it.

 

[gtaus]

Someday I might buy an automatic door. For now, I don't mind opening the door in the morning and closing it in the evening. Gives me a quick reason to check on the health of my chickens at least twice a day. But, I also don't get up sunrise to let the chickens out. They will go outside when I'm ready to let them out. If I sleep in later, oh well. The chickens will have to live on my time and needs.

Even with manually opening and shutting the pop door for my chickens, I typically don't spend more than maybe 5 minutes per day on the care of my backyard flock. An automatic door would not save me much labor, but it would be nice to have someday.

 

[affacat]

Someday I might buy an automatic door. For now, I don't mind opening the door in the morning and closing it in the evening. Gives me a quick reason to check on the health of my chickens at least twice a day. But, I also don't get up sunrise to let the chickens out. They will go outside when I'm ready to let them out. If I sleep in later, oh well. The chickens will have to live on my time and needs.

Even with manually opening and shutting the pop door for my chickens, I typically don't spend more than maybe 5 minutes per day on the care of my backyard flock. An automatic door would not save me much labor, but it would be nice to have someday.

They are worth every penny for us. I always felt a bit bad when they were stuck in a stinky coop for a few extra hours if I slept in or something, plus that just meant more poop in the coop.

It's quite nice not stressing it. Also, never having that feeling 'did I close the coop'?

They are a bit pricey though. We've owned several now... The first one felt like a big spend, but now I just budget it into the price of a coop

 

[gtaus]

They are worth every penny for us.

I know people that have them seem to love them. I can afford an automatic door, I just have not got to the point where I want to buy one yet. But, I can see one in my future.

I always felt a bit bad when they were stuck in a stinky coop for a few extra hours if I slept in or something, plus that just meant more poop in the coop.

I just let my chickens outside today, for the first time since last November! Had to pull up the bird netting and remount it to the fencing before I could let the chickens out. We finally had two days in the 40F's, so almost all the snow is now out of my chicken run, and I was able to pull the bird netting out of the remaining snow.

Anyway, I built my coop with the idea that the chickens would be living in the coop all winter long. My chickens will not go outside if there is snow on the ground. I use deep bedding inside the coop and that keeps everything clean and smelling fresh. Also, I have about 8 square feet per bird in the coop, which works out well for me and the birds. Lots of room for them to live in and their poo automagically disappears into the deep bedding.

Even if I had an automatic door, I would only be using it for maybe 6-7 months out of the year. Someday I hope to have a solid roof above part of the chicken run for the winter, and then I would be more inclined to install an automatic door.

 

[Mouthpear]

Someday I might buy an automatic door. For now, I don't mind opening the door in the morning and closing it in the evening. Gives me a quick reason to check on the health of my chickens at least twice a day. But, I also don't get up sunrise to let the chickens out. They will go outside when I'm ready to let them out. If I sleep in later, oh well. The chickens will have to live on my time and needs.

Even with manually opening and shutting the pop door for my chickens, I typically don't spend more than maybe 5 minutes per day on the care of my backyard flock. An automatic door would not save me much labor, but it would be nice to have someday.

You can make your own for less than $100.

 

[orchidcrazy]

I have the Ador1 and love it! Runs off a lantern battery, I use the solar sensor. Very happy with the door. Is a solid build, no plastic parts, sprocket drive and there's a real person to chat with if you have questions.

 

[SheaLoner]

I ordered it from the omlet website. This is the one I have: https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_keeping/automatic_chicken_coop_door_opener/. I don't think you can get them elsewhere (except for used ones on ebay and such).

Have you used yours through the winter yet? Website said it was tested through -4 but we see -10 to -20 at my place.