Experience wirth Automatic door from Foys

[CoyoteMagic]

I'm not sure but they are regular batteries. It's either C or D cell I can't remember, but I'm thinking D cell.

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

I think Coyote is right; I think it's D cell batteries. I'm still using the same batteries I put in; even after two years I haven't had to replace them!

I used the aluminum guillotine door they sell. If you think about it, the only time it's working under load is when it has to pull the door up; that's less than 30 seconds of electricity a day. I can't remember exactly how the electrical parts work, but it said something about the fact that when the door is being lowered, there's no functional load on the motor. Because of the light weight of the door, and because the small size of the roll-up, there's an incredibly efficient work/energy ration.

FYI, I don't know it's the same one, but I saw one advertised in dang...have to go look...it starts with a B....

OK, I'm back...

RandallBurkey

http://www.randallburkey.com/Automatic-Coop-Doors/products/460/

It does look like the same one Foy's sells.

 

[tinkx]

Thanks everybody for your feedback, I am going to order one ASAP

 

[frogs n chickens]

Free at last, free at last, free at last!!!
I installed one of these today and turned back the potentionmeter on it so it would close a little later as my girls like to hang outside late. there was still a bit of light left in the sky when it closed; so silient I almost missed it. I am looking forward to not having to open the door too early as I leave to work around 530 am. and when I get home around 730 pm, they should allbe tucked in nicely. And going on vacation, I will not have to depend on any neighbors to open and close for me.
The unit runs on 4 AA batteries and they claim that with their door a set of batteries will last a couple of years. This was the best option for me as my coop is a long extension cord away from and ac source.
It was a bit pricey, but and easy install. there are several places on the web with pictures of peoples set up and some helpful instructions.

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[ERnoleGuy]

I just recently saw this one on EggCartons.com. http://www.eggcartons.com/product-exec/product_id/1076/nm/Poultry_Butler_Automatic_Poultry_Door_PBD_1

It is a new product they listed. It appears to be a significantly cheaper option and has good reviews. I really want one of these and am hoping to get one for Christmas. If anybody has one of these ones, please chime in and give me your reviews.

Another Link: http://www.poultrybutler.com/

 

[Sammimom]

I've got to get something automatic for my girls before we go away for Thanksgiving, my question is, how do these sliding doors lock to keep out raccoons? What is to keep a preditor from just sliding up the door? Obviously, I am NOT mechanically inclined, so if it is obvious don't be too hard on me!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I have the bottom of my door recessed about 3 inches. The way I have mine set up, coons can't get their fingers under it, over it, or around it to get it open!

I simply love it. Best thing I've ever bought chicken wise.

 

[gsim]

It could be that the Home Depot timer would drive a drapery motor (Kind used to open and close drapes) Set it for on at dawn, off at dusk. You will have to fine tune the timer thru all of the seasons probably every 2 or 3 weeks, unless you add in a light sensor. If you go that route, you will not need the timer. Old traffic signs will make excellent lightweight guillotine doors. Drunks and lead-footed teenagers are always knocking them down here and there. Just keep your vise-grips handy and nab one sometime when you see it run down. The city or county almost always put up a brand new one regardless of the condition of the old one anyway. You might as well have it than some govt employee getting to sell it to a scrap metal dealer.

 

[WitksChicks]

Will this work if I have no electricity in my coop?

My coop is wired for electricity but I have to run an extension cord out to it and "plug it in", and would like very much to not do that year round. I'm looking for something with battery timer and that the door motor will not need electricity.

My apologizes if this is a "bump" in the thread. I didn't know where else to ask.

 

[lilcrow]

Quote:
I just love the idea of an automatic door opener and closer, however as a cautionary tale, I thought I'd just share with you a post I read sometime back about a woman who lost one of her Mille Fleur d'Uccle roos due to hypothermia because he was a couple of minutes late coming in. He missed the closing of the door. That just breaks my heart to think about it and I'm sure it would you also. You may not have a breed quite that sensitive to the cold, but it might not be the cold that gets your bird. It sounds like that's not what you're worried about. Be sure to give them plenty of window. I would wait until a couple of minutes past dusk, maybe even going toward dark. I know some folks may feel you risk letting in the wolf, but most wolves don't prowl that early, not saying they NEVER do. I trapped one female raccoon AT dusk. She would wait until I'd go in the house from locking everybody up and then come in around the coops and rummage for chicken feed. She never bothered the chickens, but I didn't want to take any chances, I knew eventually she would. NO, I DIDN'T KILL HER. I took her for a ride to a state park about 15 mi. from here, and yes I know it's illegal. No, I didn't get caught, and I trapped her mate about 3 days later, took him down to the same place, and turned him loose. He wasn't so easy to release.

My point being, for your absence, weigh the pros and cons. I'm sure you know your chickens best. If they are predictable as clockwork, it maybe better to lean more toward locking up early. I just wanted to give you that little bit of info so you could make a fully informed decision about when to set your timer.