Best Automatic Chicken Door Openers???

[Kjf18]

We have a pullet shut door and absolutely love it. So far, it has been bullet proof.

You can see the door in this photo:



KJF

 

[tenneagle]

I also have this same coop door opener (installed Oct.'12, now Mar.'13, so in use for ~5 mos.), & I have been very happy w/ it. No problems at all. Quiet. Lets me sleep in or stay out late (or even go on vacation) w/o leaving the girls in their coop, which the girls like, too.
I bought it for $79.52 (free shipping, no tax), but see it is now $87.15 where I bought it: http://www.smarthome.com/31427/Add-A-Motor-D20-Chicken-Coop-Motor/p.aspx. I shopped around a lot, and felt that many of the automatic coop doors were way more expensive than they should be, based on the small door they are opening. I use a standard timer plugged into an A/C outlet (both are inside the coop). If I were worried about power outages, I could add a battery back-up. The "door" is a re-purposed sheet of stainless steel that I found at a thrift store (it was the back of a photo frame). It slides on cedar channels (cut from leftover tongue & groove siding), and there is a 2x12 on the outside (higher than the bottom of the door) to prevent little raccoon fingers from possibly sliding it up.
I hope this is helpful to some! ~Candice

 

[rendezvous1838]

I have used 2 different auto doors.

• I originally used the Poultry Butler but had some issues with the photo sensor closing too soon in my shady coop location, so I had a timer to schedule the door. A couple times the string got jacked and the door needed to be disassembled and the string re-wound around the motor.
• Then I switched to the ADOR1 It is much better. There are several improvements

1. Photo sensor works perfectly
2. Door is driven by a gear, not a string
3. Runs on a battery, no electricity to fail

I would like to paint the door to match the coop. Other than that it is a great product! I hooked it up and forgot about it but there are several features that may be programed if you desire.
Check it out here, http://adorstore.com/products/ador1-automatic-chicken-door

 

[Prettypuddles]

I just ordered the Add-A-Motor D20. It is currently on sale for $74 (regular $99) and free FedEx shipping at:
http://www.smarthome.com/_/ProductResults.aspx?Ntt=add a motor

I decided on the Add-A-Motor because of all the reviews from the posts here.
Thank you for your recommendations! You made it easy for me.
On Sale and Free Shipping!

 

[Joanmcm]

Using a pulley shut door for a couple of weeks. Works great!

 

[KathyJB]

I have had the pullet shut door for almost a year now. The trickle charger failed and I bought one from the Western Auto and added the same ends the pullet shut charger had (piggy back ends?) The door worked like a charm again and they even sent a new trickle charge no cost because it wasn't a year old. The silly chickens unhooked the connectors to the battery and I didn't know about it for a while. I decided to put the new trickle charger on from pullet shut, but the door is not closing all the way. It opens quickly with no problems, but shutting is now like molasses and it's not a tight shut like before. I've been looking around for a different door, but don't want to pay the near $300.00 like before. I'm not too keen on using a string pull door because I've heard too many stories about the string binding up.
My current opener opened as timed, I'm really wondering how it will shut.

 

[Scott H]

Kathy, call them at Pullet Shut. They will stand behind their door.

 

[Sciencediva]

I too have the ador1 and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! No more getting up on a Sunday morning and most definitely peace of mind even when I get home late. I have to admit that for the first few weeks I went out to check if the door had closed at night, but now a few months later I simply appreciate the fact that I don't even think about it anymore. This door is not cheap, but it is worth every penny! Good luck.

http://adorstore.com/products/ador1-automatic-chicken-door

 

[Joanmcm]

We still love the pullet shut door. The trickle charger appeared to fail...it did the same as the door above...closed slowly and not completely. Husband tested the wire and the charger...it was the wire. The Pullet shut folks replaced it and it worked fine. We used a new battery to work it until the wire got here. Still worked great.

 

[Miss Elle]

they are expensive yes?