New automatic chicken door- Gals missed their "last call"

[GoldenPeep]

I just installed a programed my "Pullet Shut" automatic chicken door. Last night they were in the coop by 9pm so that's when I programed it for. Tonight only one of them (I have four) was in at 9:00. The door opened a minute later for a second chance, and they didn't go in then either. I let them in myself at 9:15, by which time they were pretty frantic to get in.

So should I reprogram the door for a later time, or do you think they will remember what happened tonight and go in quicker tomorrow?

 

[emma p]

Following... I have always wanted to know how auto doors worked.

 

[yyz0yyz0]

If it was me I would set it for at least 1/2hr after 9 right now if they all went in by 9 on their own.

They are going to go in earlier some days and later some days depending on the weather and the cloud cover. Cloudy days mine seem to go in earlier than on full sun days as it gets dark sooner.

You will need to adjust this time as the seasons change.

I think you should use an offset from Sunset instead of when they all went in, the reason to use an auto door is so you don't have to keep an eye on them and close them in every night after they've bedded down. If you just keep an eye on the sunset times and adjust the door closing occasionally as the sunset changes I think you'll be fine.

 

[Alexz7272]

We created and programmed our own automatic door (thank you engineering fiance!) however we have our set about 15 minutes later then they usually go in, just to be safe. As mentioned, with the changing of the seasons we have had to change the timing and your best bet is to watch when they naturally go into the coop to figure out the exact time. Our chickens tend to go in right at the tail end of dusk. Good luck!

 

[TwistedPines]

I have 2 of the pullet shuts and to get around having to reprogram and such, I got the photocell that they have for it.
Because it senses the light, the door seems to shut well after all the girls have gone to bed. It's a rare day that one of them gets left out anymore. I keep a spare magnet on the coop door for just such occasions.