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.

 

[rosemarythyme]

For reference I have a standard Chicken Guard.

I haven't tried solar so can't answer that.

You can set it to open and close whenever as long as the door has a timer option. Or if it has a light sensor it should open and close based on the ambient light. Personally I like having more control so I use timer.

My door has a warning light when batteries start running low, it'll go for about 2 weeks past the light appearing.

Door shouldn't randomly open in the middle of the night unless there's a weird malfunction or you're using a light sensor that somehow gets enough light to trigger it, I suppose (though I don't know if artificial lights can set it off).

 

[BDutch]

Door shouldn't randomly open in the middle of the night unless there's a weird malfunction or you're using a light sensor that somehow gets enough light to trigger it, I suppose (though I don't know if artificial lights can set it off).

I had a normal chicken guard set on light sensor for 9+ years. Now it broke beyond repair. I could set the amount of lumen to open / and another for closing. There was a possibility to set it time too. It malfunctioned a few times bc the cord got wet. Had to adjust the settings (rather complicated) several times.

At night it only opened a few times when I was checking on my chickens at night with a torch and gave the sensor some light for too long. There is a button to close it again.

I have been reading it was not safe for racoons. But we don’t have the here.

Bc I never used the possibility to set it on time, I bought a much cheaper one last spring that only works with batteries and a light sensor. No settings. No string that roll up. Very easy to install. Until now I’m very pleased with it.

I have another one, a Chickencozy, that goes sideways (like the Omlet) bc I have no room above the opening. It’s not cheap, but less costly than the Omlet. I have to check how many battery capacity is left. If it goes to 20% I need to replace them. Otherwise the door might not open or close soon after (been there). I needed to adjust it to the max bc it closed too soon. If you place it on a dark spot in the shadow it cant be adjusted enough. Time setting is a possibility too.

In the review section you find more information.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/categories/automatic-coop-doors.16/