Automatic door - inside or outside?

[sovia]

I am looking at the automatic door openers offered by Well's Poultry and Foy's. I am wondering which would be better and why - the inside- or outside-mounted version. Could a racoon truly open an outside-mounted version? The pophole on my coop opens directly into a hardware-cloth covered run so it might not be a big deal. Any thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated!

 

[Justabiker]

Mine is on the outside of the coop because I use the light sensor instead of the timer and it made it easier to hook up the door. Since I am also using the deep litter method, some shavings inevitably end up being kicked out the door and they drop below where the door sits when it is closed.

On the raccoons, I cannot imagine them being able to actually lift the door and slide under it. I am using oe of the metal doors from Foy's and there is less than 1/8" between the door and the sides of the coop. When closed, my door sits just over an inch below the lower sill. A coon would have to get underneath that little lip and lift the door high enough to get up under it.

 

[sovia]

Thanks for your reply! Do you think the snow would have any effect on things?

 

[cjeanean]

Anyone got a link for what you're talking about??? I've been really curious about auto door openers!

 

[sovia]

Here are the two links:

http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/vsb_export.htm

http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/catalog/2100-2107.html

I am hoping someone else will chime in with their experience!

 

[Justabiker]

Sovia,

Fortunately, here in Texas snow is a rarity so I have not faced that issue. However, I think that the only possible issues with snow would be:

1) A build-up under where the door rests when closed The door will close down until the weight is taken off of the string, a build-up up snow at the bottom of the door would prevent it from closing completely and it would rest upon the snow. I image this could be remedied by adding a sloping cover similar to an awning over to door to deflect the snow.

or

2) inside the tracks he door rides on preventing the door from opening. This could definitely be problematic if a build-up of ice/snow got in the tracks and prevented the door from sliding freely. The opener uses a string to open the door and a knot on the string to stop it when fully open. I imagine it would not take much to snap this string and then it would not open until the string was repaired.

Hope this helps.

 

[sovia]

Justabiker,

Thanks for your reply. I went ahead and purchased the inside-mount auto door. I figured that with an outside-mount, the heat from the inside of the coop could cause any snow on the exterior rails to melt and then freeze if the temps were to drop. Not good. However, it wouldn't be the first time I have been wrong!