Poultry Butler

[skippyscage]

Has anyone had any dealings with them? http://www.poultrybutler.com/automatic-chicken-coop-door/

I had a door delivered and it doesn't work (looks like a faulty switch to me)

I sent the first support email 9 days ago - no reply
Another followup sent yesterday - no reply
I just opened a "ticket" with them today, but I suspect that goes to the same email address.

I'll give it two days and then open a case with Paypal if I get no response.

Using this as a head-up for anyone else, and to see if anyone has had similar issues.

 

[rendezvous1838]

I purchased one from them one year ago and had no problems. I hope it works out.
can you jump the switch with a small piece of wire to see if the motor kicks on? Are you trying to use the photo sensor? is it stuck open or closed?

 

[skippyscage]

I'm no electrician so I'm pretty much in the dark. Door is stuck open and to get it open the switch had to be toggled lots of times. I suspect the switch isn't really connecting to anything, and taking that piece off looks to be a real pain.

Good to know that you've had no issues though.

update - 10 days later I get a response that a new switch will be sent.

 

[skippyscage]

no switch, so I filed for a refund with Paypal.

Seller said he thought he'd sent the switch, although the communication has been non existent.

If you want customers, you need to communicate.

 

[beanonastring]

I purchased one about a year ago just finally installed it. I watched the video and followed all the instructions and suggestions. No problems took about an hour to install as I removed the transformer and wired up to 12 volt dc only. I didn't realized I could have ordered it already wired that way if I had been looking closer at the drop down choices when ordering. I built my coop/ tractor with 4 x 10 beams for skids so they have to jump up to go out the door. I figured this might help keep out unwanted critters when the door is open and make it harder to get in when the door is closed. The chickens figured it out fairly quickly. I really believe this is a good item I don't need to worry about them when it gets dark the door closes when it is light it opens my chickens are in the coop by about 7:30 pm and that is about an hour before the light sensor would close the door. Good luck to all, Tod aka (beanonastring)

 

[LostLakeChicks]

I just got done with him. It took just over 2 months to finally get my money back from him. We had a problem with the timer and after trying to contact him for a week via email and phone, I had to involve paypal to return it. Then he accused me of not communicating with him! The owner is an ******* and we might still be using the product. However, the door is not as secure as the claim and we were able to open it from a closed position easily by placing a palm on the front and lifting up. Even with a little force it opened.

I just verified my refund which took weeks to get and I will never ever deal with Jim Resh again. He's a thief and a liar and his company serves as a reminder to check ALL complaints against a company before buying.

 

[azlandman]

Bought one a while back. It arrived non functional. The "clutch" and ball bearing was missing. Jim said it must have come apart in shipping. He sent me parts and I made it work. It lasted a few weeks, then the shaft fell out. He suggested I super glue it back in, because that was what he used. I used JB weld because obviously the super glue didn't hold. Then it failed to open one hot summer morning. I lost a couple of birds to heat that day. The whole "clutch, ball bearing, spring" set up is a fault waiting for disaster. My place is offgrid, and I relied on the door to function without fail. It wasn't to be. Since I am fairly handy, I kept repairing it myself following email conversation with Jim. Then the circuit board went out. He sent me another one and I installed it. Then the motor quit, and I had had enough. Sent it back to him. $30 shipping. He was going to charge me $65 to repair it plus shipping back. I told him to keep it.

 

[Em]

Its too bad no one has anything good to say as I had narrowed my search to the Poultry Butler, our coop is wired and I would rather connect to electricity than use a battery powered automatic door. Any suggestions out there?

 

[Vulcan1500]

I simply used a motorized auto antenna connected to an eye hook screwed in the upper section of the door. It raises & lowers the door just fine, plus it holds the door closed, preventing predators from lifting it to get in.