Chickens suddenly missing automatic door

[bruced267]

Hi All, We have automatic pop door opens at dawn closes at dusk. Chickens are 17 wks and have been getting in on time every night....until last night 5 got locked out and then tonight 11 got locked out? If I open the door manual, they dont seem to want to go in. I have no night light.

Any ideas whats up?

Being new to this I will add.....
Chickens seem to be acting strange?
Some just started laying (2 days now)
Prior to this there was some feather picking ( not to point of wounds)

The timer I have adjusts for sun up/down on its own........
Mites Ect? what are the signs how to check

Thanks

 

[sourland]

Are you sure that the door is operating properly?

Is it possible that the photo sensor is dirty and closing the door too early?

 

[theoldchick]

I had few hens get locked out when the door shut too early as the summer days grew longer. We had to reprogram the timer to close the door at a later time when darkness was complete.

 

[bruced267]

its not on a photo cell, its a digital timer that will track day light based on your location and actual dusk and dawn times based on the day it was set.

It did malfunction once this week and I reset it..... I guess I need to have a closer look at closing!

I do know that on initial programing it closed @ 8:30 and open @ 6:30

 

[Eggcessive]

I don't have an automatic chicken door closer, but my chickens like to have a light on in their coop at dusk so they can see to go in their pop door to get on their roosts. If the auto light goes off early and I have a couple of stragglers, they will hang outside. Of course I lock mine up each night myself.

 

[bj taylor]

is it possible something inside the coop spooked them? i worry about something getting inside my coop during the day so every night i go out & check to make sure the door closed. i step inside the coop, look up & down (looking for snakes that came in during the day or some other predator).
i've just gotten my automatic door. i already have to re-program it because it's getting darker sooner (i don't have the photo sensor).

 

[laturcotte1]

Lights on before dusk, they don't see well so if its dark inside they don't want to go it. They are like little kids, turn the night light on mom. I have a light that goes on 45 minutes before dusk when the light goes out 30 minutes after dusk a night light goes on. Spoiled I know. When we lose power i have large solar garden lights outside their coop I just bring a couple of those in, they evenually they go out, but are on long enough to light the way to bedtime.