Forgive me, I have already posted on the end of somebody elses post but have now thought that it might not be the best place to put it!!! I am new to chickens and have a hen house that has what I can only describe as a large key looking thing that pulls the door to the roost open and closed. I have seen the automatic door open and closer and would love to get one so that I don't feel so guilty on a Sunday morning have a lie in!!! However, I can only see ones that work with doors that open vertically - is this right? Can I adapt something that would help me? Any ideas what I could do (obviously getting a new house is not an option at the moment - I think my two girls already have to lay a silly number of eggs to break even, but then they are worth the entertainment value alone!!) It would also make it a lot easier being able to go away for the weekend without having to worry about getting somebody in to open and close them. Many thanks
I have the automatic door opener from Larry Morris at 360 Farm. It works vertically but maybe you can just cut another hole to accommodate this opener. It does require electricity though and they are not cheap, around $200. Your girls will have to work even harder if you add one. I know some people have made their own but that isn't going to happen here at Cluckawalla Valley! I wanted the best I could get, no batteries to go out, and sturdy enough to keep predators out. We travel in our motorhome and having this door makes it so much easier. My daughter just has to come over once a day to check on them and collect eggs. Good luck to you. Mary p.s. and with this you can sleep in late everyday if you want!
If you or someone you know has any mecanical skill then here is how to build an automatic coop door. It can work on a door that goes ether way. Think of an old train wheel an how it moves with the steam piston.
Okay, we use door openers from these people http://www.axt-electronic.de/england/elek_pfoertner.htm They are German suppliers, we purchase and fit to customer Hen Houses. We have found them to be very reliable and after several attempts to source the parts and build our own decided it wasn't economical or worth the time, so we have stuck with the VSB from axt. We don't supply these units on their own as we fit to our own chicken houses, unfortunately we can't ship to USA. Hope the link is of some use. Mark.
If you or yours are inclined to tinker: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=99668 Lots of good ideas and projects in that thread.
Guys thanks for that!!! Guess my weekends will be taken up with trying to make it work - although me and mine don't have a particularly handy bone in our bodies, thankfully my brother does, so with a little persuasion (or possibly bribery!?!) it might happen. Thanks again.
I think if you put a pulley on the wall above the door, the curtain drapery motor kind could work. I have a drapery motor one and it only took about 15 minutes to set it up. However, my door is a vertical slider.
I just placed one of the units that woodenart is recommending and absolutely love it. It runs on 4 AA batteries and they claim that with their door a set of batt. will last up to 4 years?? It opens and closes with a light sensor. It can be purchased through Foys pigeon supplies here in the U.S. and with their door runs about 245 dollars shipped to your door.
