Chicken coop automation, Your thoughts?

[LukeS-R]

I am interested in what people think about the motorised automatic doors for chicken coops.
Do they work?
Are they worth the money?
Are they really that convenient?

Thanks,

Luke

 

[Cool_chicks_dad]

I'm new at this so this is just what I think.
Do they work, yes they do and you can be creative with the times and even the represented they operate at.
Are they worth the money, that depends mostly on the individual. I have more time then money so for me no they aren't wort it.
Are they really that convenient, like I said they can be set to operate at a specific time of day, dusk till dawn, or eve n at specific temperatures.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[fireguy56]

Brother, I am no means an expert....however I did my homework on this matter when planning our new coop. If ya gonna be into this addictive hobby, calling, "getting green" movement or as I see it, relaxation work......ya need to do the motorized door. This is just my opinion, but as much as I love messing with the girls and spending time with them....come 6am or so and they wanna get out, our door will open. Have been goingout every morning to let them out and again at night to lock them in...just like many folks do. hey, that's cool. I just saw an opportunity to make it all alittle easier with the motor and jumped on it. Can't wait for ours to come in and hook it up.
I made a simple track from 1"x"3's installed into the rough opening I left when doing the hen house framing. Approx. 14" wide and 16" high. Made the door out of an old aluminum street sign had laying around in my shop(twice the height of the opening) and slid it in place. Now all I need is my UPS guy to show up. Will let ya know how it works, but have seen others in action and feel confident It will work fine. Plan on plugging it into a cheap time and Whammo!...we're in business. check out my web page for photos of my door installed. good luck with your decision and coop design.
Erik

 

[fireguy56]

Sorry, that was supposed to be "timer".
Erik

 

[pawsplus]

I only have 3 chickens, but it doesn't really matter--opening the pop-hole takes the same amount of time for 3 as it does for 30, right? IMO it's better NOT to automate. Every 12 hours I go out to open/close the pop-hole and that means that every 12 hours I'm looking at my chickens to make sure everything's OK--and that's a VERY good thing. Also, what if the power goes out, and b/c you're used to assuming the door will close, you don't go out to close it? And a raccoon gets in?

Seems to me that anyone with time for chickens has time to open and close a door.

You have to feed the chickens anyway, check water, etc. It's all part of normal maintenance.

 

[MarinMama]

we love visiting the chickens and do so a few times a day, usually for a couple hours.

That being said, there have been nights when we went out to dinner or to a party and have not gotten home until late. It would have been REALLY nice to have an automated door to lock the coop up securely. We have a very secure run and the girls put themselves to bed but it still would be nice to know the few nights a month when we cannot close up the coop on time it can be done automatically.

I am a stay at home mom so we are home all the time but we will go on vacation, be gone for the weekend, etc. eventually.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I got a door from our sponsor http://www.chickendoors.com/ and it has literally been a lifesaver! Not the cheapest door on the market, but I think it is the best one.

 

[fireguy56]

In response to al posts on this subject. Wow, that is what makes this site so great. Everyone can give ideas, help others and offer suggestions. As far as visiting my chickens. We do, often...hang out watching...checking on their needs, etc.....But ...WE DON'T Live With Then.....so, I still believe there is a certain group of our chicken raising friends that might have busy lives and can't be at our chickens sides 24/7 that can utilize the technology of an automated door system. Just my opinion. I think they are great and wouldn't trust my girls safety at night without one. Gee, what if I'm tired and fall to sleep and forget to close the manual door. Sorry girls. My bad.
Happy chicken-ing all.
Erik

 

[goldtopper]

I have an add-a-motor and wonder now what took so long to make that happen. I screw around all day with the girls, but at dawn and dusk, my motor takes my place.

 

[Patricia Jane]

I tend to enjoy the opening and closing of the pop door. I get to check things out to make sure everyone is happy and healthy. I get a kick out of watching them trying to push each other out of the way to get out first. I have had 3 at once try to fit through the pop door. It also helps me get out of bed and get going in the morning. I have read how wonderful they are and work great. Once again just personal preference on what works best for you. Oh and

.