Best Automatic Chicken Door Openers???

[midget_farms]

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I think I need to build a cover / roof for the door mechanism. I'm not sure if its the door pins that are freezing or the motor or what. I'm thinking if I hit it with some silicone lube & keep the rain & snow off of it it may be OK.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Send a note to the designer, I've found him to be very helpful and responsive.

 

[midget_farms]

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I tried that - have not heard back.

 

[featherz]

Right now I have the add-a-motor on one coop and no problems yet. I was thinking of getting the pulletshut door for my other coop since it's not suited for a guillotine door, but if it has problems in cold weather I'll think again - we've been at zero for two nights here.

 

[Bird Collector]

I have the same one and love it but have just noticed this past week it has not been openning all the way. The cold does affect it. I check my girls every morning and night so the door only opening part way still allows me a time buffer in the morning. It has always closed which allows me to get home after dark. Overall I still love it and my runs off electric. The other thng I like is it closes slow so when my girls where half in the door one night it gave them reaction time to get on in without pinching them. Good luck;>

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[midget_farms]

I think I fixed it.

I went out with the torch & worked it at about 6 inches away from the door in order to just melt out the ice. Once it was all melted & the door would open & close using the magnet & sprayed the heck out of the brass bolts & bushings with WD40. The WD not only lubricated the brass bushing, but it displaced the water preventing it from freezing up again.

The door has opened & closed all by itself for the last couple of days! problem hopefully solved!

 

[midget_farms]

I also got an email from the manufacturer. That guy is really nice & has agreed to help me figure out any issues I've had. I'm still really happy with the door. Glad its working again now.

 

[midget_farms]

Door has been working fine for several days now despite the cold - I think I got some ice in the door bushings/henges. Once I worked that out & shot some WD on there its back to its good ol perfect self.

I really do recommend this one - Plus the guy who makes them emailed & said he has a new low power circuit board & an optional solar power unit now. So the battery should last much longer.

 

[j3707]

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I'm just a little ways North of you and have no problems running my auto door off a solar panel. You just need to make sure it's sized appropriately and clear off any snow.

Good luck!

 

[bayareapilot]

Is the motor on the door sealed from the elements or does it have to be mounted inside the coop to keep it from getting wet from rain?