Automatic Pop Door Opener, Opinions?

[Kwewu7]

My first post on BYC, and I hope I'm doing this right

I am in need of some help in choosing an automatic pop door opener for the coop, opening into the run. Please help me figure out the best solution.

I've got 2 doors, one for summer ventilation (welded wire fabric window) and the other for winter (seen in the pic to the left of the door).

There's no electricity to the coop, so I would need a battery-operated unit or super simple solar setup. I've narrowed my search to the Chickenguard or the Adorstore unit. The advantage of the Chickenguard is that I can use my own doors, but cost-wise if I replaced my doors with the Adorstore metal unit it seems a better deal in the long run (wood rots).

I just don't know what to do. Advice please?

 

[ChickCrazed]

I have the ador and i like it - but there have been a couple of instances where it just misfires and doesn't open or doesn't close. It makes me a bit nervous now wondering if it will work, but I do like that it is pretty darn predator proof when it works and has the light sensor so it adjusts to the shortening/lengthening daylight. I am not familiar with the other one, but look into the add a motor on amazon.com. I know others who have used that, it is a similar concept where you use your own door.

 

[dancingqueen]

I don't own a automatic chicken door yet, but I'm leaning towards the Chickengaurd. I would like to use my current door, (coop has no electricity) seems to be the least invasive route to go. My main reason for wanting an auto door is for overnight trips away from home.

Also, great idea with the welded wire door for summer, I like it!

 

[Volcanic Egger]

I installed the Ador door a month ago and it has been working perfectly so far.

 

[ChickCrazed]

I installed the Ador door a month ago and it has been working perfectly so far.

Mine worked perfectly four about 4 months, then the day before I was going out of town it didn't open. It has malfunctioned one other time in the year I have had it. Just often enough for me to wonder when it will fail again....and will a predator stroll through before I notice. Just keep an eye on it.

 

[RJSorensen]

I find that by keeping the back plane of the Ador flat, they seem to work very well. I mounted mine to a 3/4 piece of plywood, and then mounted the plywood to the building. I believe that many people over tighten the screws, and it is this in addition to the building swelling/shrinking as the seasons change that cause a bind. I made mine to fit inside of the studs, and just more or less let it float. Of course it won't fall out, but I hope the concept is relayed here so as you might be able to try the same as I.

Best to you in your choice(s),

RJ

 

[Kwewu7]

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!

As I was looking at my own picture it occurred to me that with an automatic opener, if I used the Chickenguard or any other kind that enables me to use my own doors, I will have to extend the vertical slider tracks. Or be really careful to not have the door lift too high, and dangle mid-air. LOL

Does anyone know if the Adorstore unit's door could withstand having a 'window' cut into it and hardware cloth attached, like my current summer door?

Thanks!!

 

[jetdog]

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!

As I was looking at my own picture it occurred to me that with an automatic opener, if I used the Chickenguard or any other kind that enables me to use my own doors, I will have to extend the vertical slider tracks. Or be really careful to not have the door lift too high, and dangle mid-air. LOL

Does anyone know if the Adorstore unit's door could withstand having a 'window' cut into it and hardware cloth attached, like my current summer door?

Thanks!!

I like the idea of the hardware cloth door but if something got into the run with no locking mechanism they could just lift the door enough to slide under. I have the d 20 add a motor and love it, it has never failed I have it plugged into a digital timer with the battery back up, I searched YouTube and found a "locking chicken door"video, added it to my door and it is locked up like fort knox.Better safe than sorry.

 

[Kwewu7]

I like the idea of the hardware cloth door but if something got into the run with no locking mechanism they could just lift the door enough to slide under. I have the d 20 add a motor and love it, it has never failed I have it plugged into a digital timer with the battery back up, I searched YouTube and found a "locking chicken door"video, added it to my door and it is locked up like fort knox.Better safe than sorry.

The D 20 add a motor you mentioned seems to be quite popular. For $90 on sale it seems the least expensive way to go, if used as a straight plug into wall outlet. But I have to admit, I am totally intimidated by the manufacturer's installation instructions for battery or solar configuration.

Splicing wires is no problem. It's the lack of step-by-step photos and hand-holding that's putting me off purchasing one. Call me chicken...

I've never had a problem with predators getting into the run or sliding the summer pop door up, but you are right - there's always a first for anything. A locking mechanism would be smart. If I go with an automatic door opener that enables me to use my own door, I could make a locking door like the youtube videos.

Decisions, decisions. Oy!

 

[jetdog]

Ya I figured if the motor breaks I can replace it 3 times compared to the cost of the other doors. I love the locking mechanism it was simple to make and works great. To bad you couldn't find a way to get power to your coop it would make life easier.