Best Automatic Chicken Door Openers???

[Auburnchick]

Those of you who endorsed your chicken doors a few months ago, do those endorsements still stand?

One question I have for those of you whose doors operate on a timer of some kind, do you reprogram your timer periodically as day length changes? Or have you hit upon an opening and closing time that you feel constitutes a happy medium, and leave it programmed the same year round?

 

[gryeyes]

Yup, I still absolutely love my auto doors from Foy's! (I have two.)

I tried to buy a third, recently, but Foy's was out of stock, so I bought a different kind using electricity and a timer (instead of batteries and a light sensor). The door works very well, but I can see the issue of reprogramming it periodically (but it uses a simple timer with those little push/pull tabs to set the times) to compensate for the actual hours of daylight.

 

[Bird Collector]

Still love mine as well. http://www.chickendoors.com/
I recently had an issue with it not opening all the way. I went on the web site and they suggested taking a screw out and the door which was easy cleaning the the parts that pivot when the door opens and close. It has built up some grit and once clean working fine. I would still buy the same one. Good luck

 

[Green_Eggs_and_Ham]

Absolutely love my AddAMotor!

I would recommend the Add A Motor to anyone looking. I've had it in for about 16 months and never had a problem. It was so easy to install. And inexpensive. I looked around for a while before I bought this one. I have no regrets at all.

I don't need to treat the door, as it is metal (aluminum or steel?). It is on the inside of the coop.

As for the timer question, I change it at Daylight Savings and Standard Time. That's it!

There were some questions a while ago about solar. There is asolar panel kit for it. I haven't bought it, but was wondering if anyone else has. And is it a good investment???

LOVE, Love, love it!

E/

 

[Bird Collector]

Well I am very sad and mad. So I am venting.

I went away for Thanksgivng and during that time my "pullet shut door" failed. My chicken sitter thankfully closed the opening up with wood so nothing happened to may girls. It is a different problem from before cause I tried the same and it did not work. I contacted the company and I have had the door for 14 months two months past warrenty. Sooo they will fix it for cost but it will be shipping each way and 60 to 100 dollars to fix depending on it if it is the motor or circuit board or both. It is alot of money if the product is only going to last that short of a period. Your thoughts are welcome.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Thanks for posting, and VERY glad nothing happened to your girls!!!

I can't remember, what was the problem before? Any ideas what the problem is this time? Will it not move at all when power is removed and applied? Any noises at all? Are you powering it from solar / battery, or from wall current?

If you do send it back for repair, please keep us posted on what they find as the problem!

 

[Bird Collector]

Before the door would open and close a very short distance and appeared to get bound up. So I cleaned out the pivot point and put some lube in there and it worked great. This time it started to close got 6 inches from closing and stopped. When you put the magnet on the bulls eye you hear a click and thats all that happens. There is no movement even when you unplug plug back in. It runs on wall current and all that checks out. Their e-mail indicated it could be the motor or a bad ciruit board. I am going to look at the electrical connections this weekend to rule out a bad connection. I live in NC so it has not gone through very harsh weather so for it to fail already for the price you pay upsets me. I will keep all posted because I am going to e-mai them back with my concerns and see their reply. Maybe I had bad luck and got a "not so good production". I have the best chicken sitter because when the door failed to close she called her dad and he cut a scrap piece of wood from my shed and screwed it in blocking the door to protect them. I could not thank them enough. By for now will keep you posted.
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[Bird Collector]

Well I am back with good news. I still don't know what part failed but the company "pullet shut doors" is standing behind their product. They gave me a call and after further review of the situation are going to support the door under warrenty which is what you need from a company you put your trust and money into. I have loved this door because it is so safe for my girls and now I know they fully support their product I will remain loyal.

 

[Joshua Streeter]

Hours upon hours of searching Ebay, YouTube, and this forum for the perfect solution. The last post finally convinced me 100% to go with Pullet Shut Doors.

Thanks, everyone for the info. I'll post my results, and a video, when I get the door.

 

[morsekathan]

did you get the pullet shut door? How do you like it? After losing two more chickens last night due to "forgetting to close the door", it's time for us to stop thinking we can remember and get an automatic door.