Automatic door opener

[Mouthpear]

Hi all! I've been looking into automatic door openers. Do you have recommendations? Also, in looking on Amazon, I can't tell if the door is included or if it's just the mechanics... does it come with a door? bonus points if you include a link (pretty please!)

Have you considered putting one together yourself? One that you can control manually, timed, astronomically timed, or Photocell driven. I gave links in this thread. It wouldn't be that hard to install and program. Take a look let me know what you think.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/23535547/

 

[rosemarythyme]

1. Even with timers there is nothing stopping you from checking on them and making sure they are all in. There is nothing that says, that if you have timers (auto door of any type) that you can't go out a check on them.

2. Some people need timed door because they CAN'T be there physically to open and shut the doors. "I would only resort to timer locking them up if absolutely no other choice." You even said it yourself.

4. If you don't like timers (auto door of any type) and you don't get home on time or you forget, then your WHOLE flock is in danger, not just one straggler. I would rather lose the least amount of birds than lose them all, for fear of losing just one.

6. They ONLY real reasons NOT to put a timed door is preference or money.

x2. We don't "need" an auto door, we still check on the flock daily within 1-2 hrs after sunset, and then again around 11 PM, to do a headcount and make sure nothing's amiss. But it's sure convenient for those times when you aren't around (i.e. vacation, late night out).

More importantly (for me, a late riser) it's convenient in the morning. If the chickens had to wait for me to get to their door, it'd be around 9-9:30 AM. I set the auto door to open at 7:45 AM. They can go out, get water, roam around, and then I bring feed and do morning maintenance once I'm up.