Automatic pop door

[G-Man]

This is what the door looks like today March 22, 2012.
Still needs some touch up paint but the door is finished.
The cover really reduced the sound of the motor... should help to keep the mechanism clean as well.







Thanks for looking.

 

[scorwin]

My question about auto doors is if they are on a timer, how do you know a chicken isn't going to get trapped out of the coop at dusk when it closes????

 

[G-Man]

Set the timer to close the pop door after dusk, not at dusk. Give them an extra 30 minutes or an hour after.... whatever works.
Either way the door to the run will be closed and secure before dark so even if they do get locked out of the coop. They will be safe in the run.. worst case scenario.

You made me think about this a bit..
The timers I've installed are programmable. That enables me to have as many opening and closing times as I want each day..
If I am getting a hen that is a repeat offender, I could add another open/close cycle that lasts for 1, 2, 3 minutes.. an hour or two after dusk.
This is all in theory because my coop is still under construction and my chicks are only 3 days old...

I'll post if I have any issues.

 

[scorwin]

G-Man,
Thanks for your quick response. I've been thinking of putting one in. My coop is under construction too. It is going to be in the corner of my garage. My six chicks aren't coming till the middle of May. I ordered too late for the breeds I wanted. Live and learn, I'm new at this!
Here's the progress of my coop so far. There's a window inside and the door will have a window that opens. Also hardware wire along the top vents. It's about 6' x 8' with their opening to a dog run that is cement. But I plan on somehow making an extension to a dirt and grassy area.

 

[G-Man]

G-Man,
Thanks for your quick response. I've been thinking of putting one in. My coop is under construction too. It is going to be in the corner of my garage. My six chicks aren't coming till the middle of May. I ordered too late for the breeds I wanted. Live and learn, I'm new at this!
Here's the progress of my coop so far. There's a window inside and the door will have a window that opens. Also hardware wire along the top vents. It's about 6' x 8' with their opening to a dog run that is cement. But I plan on somehow making an extension to a dirt and grassy area.

You're welcome.
I am still very new to this as well, lots of great information on this site that's for sure.
Sounds like you have a solid plan and are moving right along. Your coop looks great.. good job!
Be sure to post more pics as you go.

Six of them in May, that's great they'll have plenty of room. (or you have plenty of room for more fuzzy additions.)

What breeds did you buy and where did you order them from?

 

[scorwin]

I ordered my chicks from MyPetChicken. 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Easter Eggers, 1 Barred Plymouthrock and 1 Silver laced Wyandotte. A friend of mine who is a carpenter is building this. He never did a coop before but I gave him lots of pictures. He is building it like it was an extension room on my house!! He can't help himself!

 

[DawnCols]

If you really want to keep the raccoons out, then add a locking mechanism. Here's mine, it works like a champ.

Nice! I am very impressed. And jealous of your remote control.

 

[G-Man]

I ordered my chicks from MyPetChicken. 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Easter Eggers, 1 Barred Plymouthrock and 1 Silver laced Wyandotte. A friend of mine who is a carpenter is building this. He never did a coop before but I gave him lots of pictures. He is building it like it was an extension room on my house!! He can't help himself!

Congratulations, very nice line up! I'm drawn to the Wyandottes myself .. they can have the some beautiful lacing.
It's nice you have the help from a carpenter. It's looking good and strong. I like the continuous vent on top, very smart.

 

[danib]

How do you make an automatic door?

 

[AlabamaSweetpea]

Set the timer to close the pop door after dusk, not at dusk. Give them an extra 30 minutes or an hour after.... whatever works.
Either way the door to the run will be closed and secure before dark so even if they do get locked out of the coop. They will be safe in the run.. worst case scenario.

You made me think about this a bit..
The timers I've installed are programmable. That enables me to have as many opening and closing times as I want each day..
If I am getting a hen that is a repeat offender, I could add another open/close cycle that lasts for 1, 2, 3 minutes.. an hour or two after dusk.
This is all in theory because my coop is still under construction and my chicks are only 3 days old...

I'll post if I have any issues.

what kind of timers are those? I've never seen one like that before. I got the digital one that comes with some of the automatic door kits, but haven't gotten finished with my coop or started on the door.