automatic door openers

[NurseDr]

I don't think anything could get into my door. It is flush with the frame.

 

[gryeyes]

Well, I don't know about a predator getting in when the door is open, but while it's closed, I can tell you the Foy's automatic door slides down its track BELOW the door opening, so there's no place for paws/claws to grab onto it and lift it. I've pushed against it with my hands to try to raise it "manually" and it would take quite some work to do so. Especially for small predator palms.

One of my cats likes to go into the coop during the day and sleep in a nest box, occasionally. But the chickens know him. They only make very slight notice, no alarm. Unless he's in the favorite nest box when someone wants to lay an egg there. Then the noise from the complaining pullet/hen makes the cat get up and leave.

 

[TipsyDog]

I have the one from Foys (you don't need the timer) and it is mounted to open the coop door AND the run door. You can operate 2 doors on one motor. I have it over a year and it works excellent - still on the same batteries too!

My chickens can now exit the coop at daybreak AND leave the run to go free ranging. Evenings (if I'm not home) they can return and in the event (hasn't happened yet) one of the girls doesn't go in the coop, at least the run is closed and offers some protection. I couldn't keep chickens without this door opener!

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
We too have the Auto pop door opener from Foy's and Love, Love, Love the freedom it gives us! We use the timer only, not the light sensor. We adjust it periodically, which is super easy. Can't recommend one enough!
Here's the view of ours from inside the coop. The motor & timer are attached to the wall above it. It runs on battery power, so power-outtages are never a concern. It's worth every penny!

 

[NurseDr]

Quote:
We too have the Auto pop door opener from Foy's and Love, Love, Love the freedom it gives us! We use the timer only, not the light sensor. We adjust it periodically, which is super easy. Can't recommend one enough!
Here's the view of ours from inside the coop. The motor & timer are attached to the wall above it. It runs on battery power, so power-outtages are never a concern. It's worth every penny!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/43104_4-23-10_dec_the_coop_5.jpg

I love your nest curtains, what loved souls you have!

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
We too have the Auto pop door opener from Foy's and Love, Love, Love the freedom it gives us! We use the timer only, not the light sensor. We adjust it periodically, which is super easy. Can't recommend one enough!
Here's the view of ours from inside the coop. The motor & timer are attached to the wall above it. It runs on battery power, so power-outtages are never a concern. It's worth every penny!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/43104_4-23-10_dec_the_coop_5.jpg

I love your nest curtains, what loved souls you have!

Thanks, they match the "drapes" of course. I do love my girlz.

 

[Catstar68]

Quote:
We too have the Auto pop door opener from Foy's and Love, Love, Love the freedom it gives us! We use the timer only, not the light sensor. We adjust it periodically, which is super easy. Can't recommend one enough!
Here's the view of ours from inside the coop. The motor & timer are attached to the wall above it. It runs on battery power, so power-outtages are never a concern. It's worth every penny!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/43104_4-23-10_dec_the_coop_5.jpg

What a lovely coop! Lucky girls to have privacy curtains!!!

 

[Green_Eggs_and_Ham]

Quote:
We got the Addamotor one. D20. It works really well. I have it set to a timer. Bought it all for under $100.

Got it here: http://www.discounthomeautomation.com/Add-A-Motor-Chicken-Coop-Motor-AAD20 . Timer I bought at Lowes. I have the door going below the floor so no critters can pry it up. But then, we have a big dog (boxer/ridgeback) patrolling the perimeter too. She keeps out the riffraff, and loves the chicks.

I'm looking for a solar panel to use it with too.

Anyhow, good luck!

 

[flowerchild59]

Thanks for the ideas and the pictures. Photos really help me as I don't have much of an imagination

 

[yesjes]

I purchased the very pricey McMurray Automatic Coop Door shortly after I bought my coop. DO NOT SPEND YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK! It has a terrible design, utilizing a string pulley system that attaches to a spool. The spool has a notch in it where you insert a knot at the end of the string. It doesn't work. It is supposed to sense the tension on the string, but lord help you if the string isn't just perfect. The knot won't stay in the slot... the spool keeps winding and you can hear the motor groan... or it gets tangled up... its just a nightmare. I tried to use it for a few weeks but just gave up, because I got tired of climbing into the coop to try to fix it every day. Its easier to just open and close the door myself.