Poll: Do you have an automatic coop door?

[McChooky]

I'm curious about how many folks on BYC have automatic coop doors. I love mine and it seems like most folks I know use them, but I figured it might be interesting to see what folks on BYC are doing. If you're interested, take a few seconds to answer the poll!

My run is predator proof so I don't look them in at night .I also vary the days and times that they get to free range and only do it when I'm home. I never free range my chickens early in the morning

 

[Down Under]

I've got the Omlet Auto Door, really good design but the execution could be better.
1. The cable was too short so it had to be extended.
2. The biggest issue was that all the metal components were cadmium coated steel... an in door coating to stand up to chicken poop . So I ended up replacing all of the steel components with stainless where possible.
3. Annoyingly the light sensor gets confused on overcast days and closes the door early, meaning that I have to go see what is going on out there, so it is essentially a remote control door most of the time.

On the up side it lets them out ok in the morning. It runs off AA batteries but I will get my shovel out one day and run a cable to it.

 

[troyak]

I have the ChickenGuard automatic door. It runs off either 4 AA batteries, which I used during the summer, but once I required power for water heater, I plugged it in. You can set it to open to a certain time or a light setting. I use the light setting, so as the days get longer, the door automatically adjusts the opening and closing times. So far it has worked great, the only issue I have is the LCD screen is very hard to read when the temperature gets into the -20s C.

 

[NH Dreamer]

We have an automatic coop door. It is solar powered with a battery back up.

What kind is it? I'm looking for a reliable one.

 

[Rick589]

What kind is it? I'm looking for a reliable one.

Run Chicken solar powered. Cannot say enough good things about the product and the company. Pricey but I’m here to say you would not regret the purchase.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

Nope. I'm old-fashioned. I ENJOY putting everybody to bed every night. Why have chickens if not to interact with them? I look forward to our one-on-one time immensely!



Rusty

 

[Rick589]

Nope. I'm old-fashioned. I ENJOY putting everybody to bed every night. Why have chickens if not to interact with them? I look forward to our one-on-one time immensely!



Rusty

Yeah, even though we have a great automatic door I still find myself checking every night to make sure everyone is in BEFORE the door closes AND THEN I’ll often check to make sure everyone is in AFTER the door closes.

 

[NH Dreamer]

I have the ChickenGuard automatic door. It runs off either 4 AA batteries, which I used during the summer, but once I required power for water heater, I plugged it in. You can set it to open to a certain time or a light setting. I use the light setting, so as the days get longer, the door automatically adjusts the opening and closing times. So far it has worked great, the only issue I have is the LCD screen is very hard to read when the temperature gets into the -20s C.

thank you!

 

[NH Dreamer]

Run Chicken solar powered. Cannot say enough good things about the product and the company. Pricey but I’m here to say you would not regret the purchase.

Will definitely check it out! Thank you!

 

[HowIsItDone]

Will definitely check it out! Thank you!

I got mine last June, and it's still running perfectly on the 2 batteries it came with. We had many cold nights this winter. I was surprised.

At this time of year, I'm happy that they can get into the run 20 minutes after sunrise.