downfall of automatic coop doors

[klf73]

I am considering getting some for when we go on vacation. I will have someone keeping an eye on them but just in case they are late getting to my house it will be nice to know they are closed up IMO...

 

[yazzymon]

~ what auto doors do people recommend and suggest I NOT GET! ? Thanks, Jamie

 

[Ifowldown]

http://chickendoors.com/products.htm

This is the one I have and it works great. With as slowly as it closes, there is no chance of it hurting a chicken. It will not get clogged up and not close fully like the drop down doors if shavings or snow get under them. The downside is that it is a little pricey.

I also built a little awning over mine to keep most of the weather off of the door.

 

[auto5man]

Quote:
yes, I love putting them to bed at night too...the novelty hasn't worn off yet, I'm still pretty new to this. right before dusk is my favorite time to sit out in the yard and watch them. Besides, my favorite chicken's name is Goldie, and she is a "night house chicken". The other hens all climb up the ladder to the roost and I shut them down, then I go sit on the backporch steps and wait for Goldie to climb up in my lap....then she goes inside the house to roost. I love those noises too, Goldie especially makes all kinda cute noise while we're holding her.

 

[colonel sander]

I also have the same set up as featherz and a few others posted. It works great and could not hurt a bird if it did come down on them. I leave for work at 5 am and do not want to open the door that early. I also do not want to get up that early on the weekend to let them out

I can watch them head up the ramp in the evening so no isuues there. It was nice watching them the first week as I came to the coop one night and there were no birds in it. They were all stuck in the door opening trying to get in after the door closed

After that they all headed in on a regular basis.

 

[yazzymon]

~ Any input on The Poultry Butler doors? do they need to have a ramp or if it's fairly low they can just hop up?