Just beginning . . . Should I buy an automated door for the coop?

[RamonaRay]

Hello everyone, BYC seems to want every new person to be more than a lurker and to post something by way of introduction. Alright, here goes: I've longed to raise my own chickens for years and now the time is right! I bought 10 ten chicks -- 2 Buff Orpingtons, 1 Jersey Giant, 1 Black Sex Link, 1 Welsummer, 1 Colombian Wyandotte, 1 Salmon Faverolle, 1 Gold Laced Wyandotte, and 2 Ameraucanas. They're three weeks old and growing so quickly! My dad and I are building their coop right now and I will share that in a later post but I did model mine off of the Coop de La Villes shown on this site's first page of medium sized coops. I'm going 4'x8' with an additional 8 ft run beyond the 8x4 of run underneath the coop. This is serious, y'all!

As for costs -- well -- I'm already $600 - $700 into it -- the guys at Lowe's told me that would buy a heckuva lot of eggs, but hey, that's not the point! Right?

So . . . someone, please do tell -- is it worth it to spring for the automatic chicken door? I can't think of any reason not to other than the expense but it seems the convenience of timely opening for the chickens alone will pay for itself. Any particular ones I should definitely avoid or definitely should get? I'm getting ready to order . . . would so appreciate any guidance about it.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I'd just make my run secure enough that I don't need to close the door. Much cheaper, and you don't have to worry about malfunctions or power issues.

(Personally, we don't really have a predator problem, between dogs and everything else, so the coop door comes in handy sometimes, but mostly it's just decoration.)

EDT: And welcome to BYC! (even if it is a month and a half late)

 

[RamonaRay]

I'd just make my run secure enough that I don't need to close the door. Much cheaper, and you don't have to worry about malfunctions or power issues.

(Personally, we don't really have a predator problem, between dogs and everything else, so the coop door comes in handy sometimes, but mostly it's just decoration.)

EDT: And welcome to BYC! (even if it is a month and a half late)

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond! This is quite a site -- friendly and helpful people on every thread. Appreciate that tremendously! Alright -- I'll save myself the expense at least through the summer and see how it goes. Have a great weekend!

 

[drumstick diva]

I have no experience with the auto doors but, know some birds don't make it in time and get locked out. How many chickens keep an eye on their watch to know how soon the door will close?

 

[Verboortchics]

We LOVE our auto door! It reopens for a second chance to allow stragglers. Solar powered and runs off photosynthesis to open/close door. You can set a timer if preferred. Best money we have spent on the kids.
Also, if you're at a movie or out of town for the night, no need to stress!

 

[venymae]

 

[RamonaRay]

I have no experience with the auto doors but, know some birds don't make it in time and get locked out. How many chickens keep an eye on their watch to know how soon the door will close?

I had definitely wondered about that! Thanks for commenting!

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Hello everyone, BYC seems to want every new person to be more than a lurker and to post something by way of introduction. Alright, here goes: I've longed to raise my own chickens for years and now the time is right! I bought 10 ten chicks -- 2 Buff Orpingtons, 1 Jersey Giant, 1 Black Sex Link, 1 Welsummer, 1 Colombian Wyandotte, 1 Salmon Faverolle, 1 Gold Laced Wyandotte, and 2 Ameraucanas. They're three weeks old and growing so quickly! My dad and I are building their coop right now and I will share that in a later post but I did model mine off of the Coop de La Villes shown on this site's first page of medium sized coops. I'm going 4'x8' with an additional 8 ft run beyond the 8x4 of run underneath the coop. This is serious, y'all!

As for costs -- well -- I'm already $600 - $700 into it -- the guys at Lowe's told me that would buy a heckuva lot of eggs, but hey, that's not the point! Right?

So . . . someone, please do tell -- is it worth it to spring for the automatic chicken door? I can't think of any reason not to other than the expense but it seems the convenience of timely opening for the chickens alone will pay for itself. Any particular ones I should definitely avoid or definitely should get? I'm getting ready to order . . . would so appreciate any guidance about it.

 

[dunnmom]

I considered getting one, but I saw a video posted on BYC that stopped me from doing it. A member posted the video of their chickens on a coop cam. A chicken got their head stuck in the door as it shut. It flapped like crazy, and wiggled free, but it scared me to watch. The chicken survived, and may have learned a valuable lesson. Still, no door at all on my coop, even in the winter.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Most auto doors can be set to close at a specific time or by light/dark. I haven't started using mine yet, as I'm still setting up the new coop, but I plan to use it on timer so I can make sure it won't close early. Do you NEED an auto door? No. I've been manually closing the chicken door for 2 years now and haven't had an issue. But I figure for vacations it's a nice extra to have (the less you have pet sitters do the better) and for nights where maybe you're out late for dinner or a movie or what have you, it's nice to know that by the time I get home, the door should be properly closed. We still do a nightly check around the coop regardless so there shouldn't be an issue with a chicken left out all night.