automatic door

[blefky]

Does anyone use one of these: http://www.chickendoors.com/index.php

I'm thinking of getting one because my work hours might start conflicting with times for opening and closing up the coop. If it works great the cost might be justified, but they're awfully expensive and I don't know anyone who uses this particular door. So, anyone here have this? Any thoughts on the pros and cons would be appreciated.

 

[7L Farm]

I got mine at discount home automation for around $ 90.00.

 

[JFW]

I would not want an automatic door with a photo cell. If you get a bad thunderstorm the dark sky may cause the door to close (like street lights during a bad summer storm)trapping your chickens out in the storm and weather. Mine is operated by a timer and works great. I set it to open about 30 to 45 minutes past sunrise and 30 minutes past sunset (or just watch your chickens for a few nights to get the time right). You need to reset the trip times on the timer about every 6 weeks or so to compensate for changing sunrise/sunset, but not a big deal.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
That was a concern of mine as well, as chickens are birds of habit, and if the door closed at 6 rather than 7 or whatever, they would be shut out. A digital timer works great with mine, although I've had to adjust the settings as the days have grown shorter.

 

[gryeyes]

I use a light sensor for my automatic door, and it doesn't false out with darkened weather or bright full moon nights. They're also adjustible, if you do have that problem. But I have mine on the factory setting and had NO problems with it at all. I even have quite a bit of solar lighting in my yard - one very bright lamp post with 3 bright lights - near the coop, and it doesn't affect the door operation.

The Foy's model does also offer a timer operation, so it's not JUST light sensor activated. I don't use the timer at all.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

We've never had a problem with our light sensor closing the door early, either.

 

[TipsyDog]

I have the foys model http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/catalog/2100-2107.html

We have been using it for over a year and it works perfectly. Don't buy the timer, you won't need it. It has never closed during the day from a storm, etc. They simply aren't that sensitive. Also, ours operates 2 doors. The coop door and another to let the chickens out of the run to free range. I've never had a chicken locked out either, but we had this door since they were young. I would keep my eye on an older flock that isn't used to the door for the first week, but after that you shouldn't have a problem at all.

They are well worth the cost if you plan on keeping chickens for a few years. We work second shift, so without this door we would have a hard time keeping chickens. You won't be disappointed with this opener!

 

[midget_farms]

I use that chicken coop door. I love it - but I don't use the photo cell I use the timer.

It was expensive - but for me worth every penny. Its well built. Not junk. I've had it running 6 months now & the only issue I have is the 12 volt marine battery I run it with discharges quite fast (30 days).

I fixed that by adding a trickle charger to the battery - the entire power to my coop is now on a timer so the lights come on & go off when I need them too.

The door runs on the battery & the charger works while the lights are on.

I'm very happy with it.

Once you figure out how to set the door open & close times you forget about it.

It also opens & closes very slowly - so no one gets caught.

All in all - with the $80 battery & had about $300 in mine- But farming is not what I do full time & I wasn't always closing the door on time. I'd lost a ton of birds to predators.

Not anymore.