Automatic door opener

[kerbotx]

I've got the premium model from https://www.automaticchickencoopdoor.com/ I liked it because it was a turn-key operation, shipped fully assembled, slipped right in between existing 16" center 2x4s in my coop -- right where the old chicken door was! Has worked great for a couple of years now.

 

[Clarence62]

I've got the premium model from https://www.automaticchickencoopdoor.com/ I liked it because it was a turn-key operation, shipped fully assembled, slipped right in between existing 16" center 2x4s in my coop -- right where the old chicken door was! Has worked great for a couple of years now.

Nice! Didn’t know about that one. They really are life changers lol.

 

[CanadaEh]

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!)

I am using bottom hinged door that falls out and doubles as a ladder. 12V electromagnetic latch power adapter at the top is connected to 120v remotely controlled plug. You have close the door by hand but you can open it with remote. I am hesitant to set it on timer without having a look from the house that there is no predator waiting for breakfast in the run.

 

[Mouthpear]

I am using bottom hinged door that falls out and doubles as a ladder. 12V electromagnetic latch power adapter at the top is connected to 120v remotely controlled plug. You have close the door by hand but you can open it with remote. I am hesitant to set it on timer without having a look from the house that there is no predator waiting for breakfast in the run.

I think you are talking about a drawbridge style door.? I like those. My first ever coop I built (age10), was one with a drawbridge door. So I am partial to that style. I will be building one of those, once I finish my Car Garage Style door.

Like this person's? Kinda? Maybe?

However I actually want to build one with chains that let the door down and bring it back up. Or at least, looks like the chains are doing the work.

 

[Big Doggie]

I think you are talking about a drawbridge style door.? I like those. My first ever coop I built (age10), was one with a drawbridge door. So I am partial to that style. I will be building one of those, once I finish my Car Garage Style door.

Like this person's.

However I actually want to build one with chains that let the door down and bring it back up. Or at least, looks like the chains are doing the work.

I have the Omlet door. 5 months and no problems. Works on light sensor or timer and has an emergency stop and re-opens if a hen stays in the way of a closing door

 

[ironhen]

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!)

hoping this isn't too late of a post, but I recently built a coop with and automatic door, and I used a linear actuator with a timer relay, not sure what the cost comparison would be of the "pre-made" doors vs what i made, but it works very well with my set-up, 14" stroke, I select how many hours/min/sec the door is open and closed on the timer relay and it does its job well, as long as a chicken isn't in the way because its not stopping (it moves very slow though which is good)! but that is also what i wanted since i don't want predators, (specifically my saint bernard...) wind, or anything else getting in, or it not closing because of maybe slight ice buildup or whatever else could go wrong when not present. my coop is mobile so i added solar panel and battery, all 12v dc so wiring was made easy, lots of diagrams available out there. here's a picture from inside and outside (before i finished coop, they have bar/ramp for entry/exit now, and painted...)

 

[CanadaEh]

I think you are talking about a drawbridge style door.? I like those. My first ever coop I built (age10), was one with a drawbridge door. So I am partial to that style. I will be building one of those, once I finish my Car Garage Style door.

Like this person's? Kinda? Maybe?

However I actually want to build one with chains that let the door down and bring it back up. Or at least, looks like the chains are doing the work.

the thought some chickens may be locked out outside (if the door is on timer) or worst get squished by the door freaks me out. As eggs do not pick up themselves it is ok to go once a day to collect eggs, count the chickens, and raise the door by hand.

 

[Mouthpear]

the thought some chickens may be locked out outside (if the door is on timer) or worst get squished by the door freaks me out. As eggs do not pick up themselves it is ok to go once a day to collect eggs, count the chickens, and raise the door by hand.

Well some people want to do it everyday but some people have to get up way before dawn and go to work then have to be at work till after dark. So timers are a very good thing for those people. Besides you should be setting the time to close AFTER dark so they should be in before the closes. You could also put timed lights inside the coop to turn on before it gets dark and before the door is supposed to close. Chicken's eyesight is not the best at night so they go to where they can see better. Plus it is very easy to add a safety feature to prevent any squishing.

Don't let all the stuff fool you. In this video I did it with 3 SPDT relays. It can be done with A single 3PDT relay, or relay module with a bistable relay, or a single DPDT relay with a simple diode. Can be triggered with pass through laser(as in the video) or a simple microswitch. or a defused bounce back beam. But really the linear actuators used for coop doors move so slow that if a chicken dies under it, it wasn't and accident. It either ended its own existence OR there WAS FOWL PLAY. LOL

 

[CanadaEh]

just today I had to corral inside a pullet that was hanging out outside in the light of the coop window. I would only resort to timer locking them up if absolutely no other choice.

 

[Mouthpear]

just today I had to corral inside a pullet that was hanging out outside in the light of the coop window. I would only resort to timer locking them up if absolutely no other choice.

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.

3. Putting a safety feature is easy to install so no squishing, so no need to be overly worried about that. And again if you use a Linear Actuator that moves slow you don't need to worry.

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.

5. Eggs Don't need to be collected on a daily basis. Especially if you have a rollaway nest box. I collected daily but the eggs just went on top of my kitchen counter and stayed there for at least a week. After that (if the supply was greater than the demand) they would go in the fridge or to family and friends.

6. The ONLY real reasons NOT to put a timed door is preference or money. So many benefits to have it and NOTHING to gain by NOT having it.