Has anyone had success with automated run doors....

[Mrs. Feathers]

Hi we building a new coop and thinking ahead to the darker days of winter (I know...summer is just around the corner..but...). Any tips on automating coop entrance doors to shut after sunset? We don`t get home from work until the sun goes down and want to keep our feathered friends warm and cozy.

 

[j3707]

Hi Mrs. Feathers - Are you looking to build the door yourself?

First suggestion: search the site for "automatic door" --- there are plenty of threads you may be able to learn from.

I just built one. Still in the first couple weeks of operation, but so far so good. A DIY job like that requires some know-how and the motivation to fiddle and troubleshoot.

Pretty cool when you've got it done though!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

There are several different ways to build one and a couple of different threads on that here. You can also buy one from Foy's or Wells Poultry. We have the inside mount with the light sensor probe on a cable. There's also a timer version available.

 

[teach1rusl]

We did ours using the standard old drapery motor and a digital timer rather than a light sensor. After a bit of tweaking, it works great! I love my auto. door!!

 

[Sammimom]

We got the automatic one from Foy's, which operates on batteries (no power to the coop). It was expensive, but SO WORTH IT! I LOVE how it lets the girls out every morning and locks them up every night, and it doesn't matter when I get up or if we are home in the evening. We use the timer instead of the light sensor.

 

[Doopy]

Here's a link to the most recent discussion about automatic pop doors here on BYC.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=99668

There are lots of good ideas in this discussion thread. There is a lot to look at here so please take your time.

And good luck.

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

Thanks everyone! We will check out the link and past posts. My hubby is amazing at figuring such things with some guidelines to go on so the referrals are much appreciated.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

We have one and LOVE IT! We had some problems with it and returned it twice before it worked properly, but now I wouldn't live without one!

It is expensive, but we asked for it for Christmas! It saves so much stress and worry when you aren't sure you can get home in time to lock them up or when you can't get out of the house as early as they would like to get out of the coop. We use the timer (not a light sensor) and it works wonderfully and reliably (the company fixed it eventually).

I think it's invaluable and would pay double (what someone else paid for ours) if I had to! I think you can buy one in Great Britain directly from the manufacturer for about the same price as you would pay the middle-man here in the US.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Foy's has the door that I used to have (only sold it because my new set up is self contained and I don't need to be opening and closing a door.) If you can afford it, BUY IT!!