homemade auto coop door

[justoldbobo2]

Which is better horizontal or vertical?

http://m.instructables.com/id/Making-a-Powerful-Linear-Actuator/

I've been searching different ideas for doing my coop door. I came across this idea for a homemade screw/linear actuator made with all thread rod. Using it and duel timers

 

[seattlehens83]

Seems to me that the cool thing about a horizontal door would be that it will push the crap that the chickens track into the door jam.You could makeit so that it stuff just gets pushed out and back into the coop or run.

 

[chfite]

With a horizontal door, the guillotine style, releasing the support for it would cause it to settle into place. If a chicken were in the path of the door, it could move out of the way and let the door fall into place.

With a swinging door, debris could block the action and prevent the door from closing. This could result in the failure of the motor that activates the door. Worse, the door might not close leaving the chickens unprotected.

In any event, the doorway should be placed so that it can open and close without getting caught in the litter or anything that might block it.

As far as the chickens are concerned, timing the door to close when it is dark would help ensure that all the chickens are inside for the night.

Chris

 

[justoldbobo2]

That is basically what I've been thinking. But I wanted someone else's opinion