Automatic door

[peafowl_Lover]

Hi, I'm thinking of buying an automatic door, as during winter I have to let my flock out just before sunrise. I have a few questions...
What brand is best?
Is solar better than battery operated?
Can I set it to open at say 9 o' clock and would I be able to close it whenever I need too or do I have to set it at night aswell?
Will it give a warning when the batteries run out?
Could it randomly open in the middle of the night?
Thanks

 

[Debbie292d]

Here are some similar threads. This first one is the best as I think every single door known to man is listed in it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/automatic-coop-doors-id-love-your-input.1620567/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-with-choosing-an-automatic-chicken-door.1657069/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/best-automatic-chicken-door.1641614/

 

[peafowl_Lover]

I'm going to go for an omlet door or the  chicken guard door, as they are the only good quality doors i could find in ireland.

 

[eikome]

For what it's worth, I've used a battery-powered Chicken Guard Extreme opener for 7 years and have had absolutely no problems with it. The batteries last a long time, like 2 years, but I change mine out once a year just because. I just recently bought another Chicken Guard now called Pro (to automate opening/closing my nest boxes) and I like the new version even better. Highly recommend.