Recommendations on Auto Chicken Door

[Trish44]

I have the one from Fleming Outdoors & love it. There are no wood parts to rot & the door is made of aluminum so it won't rust. It is a guillotine type of door so it won't get stuck in the snow like some that open out. I have had the door for a few months now & it has worked like a charm.

 

[PtldChick]

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What's the difference between outside and inside installation? What are the reasons for either - is it location of studs? My coop is chainlink and I figure I will attach a piece of plywood to the fencing and then attach the door opener to the plywood...

 

[Titus2Woman]

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I would be interested in what one you have currently so that I can avoid purchasing from a company that gave a negative experience. If you are not wanting to post that publicly I understand, but since I am looking could you please PM me with the information? Thanks!

 

[donnavee]

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I would be interested in what one you have currently so that I can avoid purchasing from a company that gave a negative experience. If you are not wanting to post that publicly I understand, but since I am looking could you please PM me with the information? Thanks!

I really don't want to post their name publicly though there is another thread on here that someone started asking questions about the company and one poster has had a similiar experience to mine.

But as an update, DH spent a lot of time diagnosing the problem and narrowed it down to the circuit board. He contacted the company again (well several times) and although they don't use that particular version of board any longer have agreed to send us a replacement board that they had laying around at no charge. Of course, there is no guarantee it will work, but at least they are making an effort.

I'll PM you.

 

[Green_Eggs_and_Ham]

I didn't need or want the entire door kit. We already had an aluminum door, just needed the motor. I did some research and found the Addamotor at Discount Home automation . It was really easy to install and have not had a problem withi it. Going on 18 months now.

I recommend doing the research, I found a lot of opinions on different doors and mechanisms. I've read a lot of nice comments about this system. Once I decided on the motor, it was a matter of price shopping.

Hope this helps!

E/

 

[gryeyes]

I absolutely LOVE the VSBi door (from Foy's) and have two of them which work perfectly. When I moved and had a garage transmogrified into a coop, Foy's was out of the VSBi and I needed an auto door fast... So I bought a different style(since I do have electrical power in the garage coop).

I wish I hasd waited. I really, really wish I had waited.

I've had one of the Foy's units for well over a year, and it was a used one I bought from a BYCer who didn't need it any more. It has never failed, the batteries have lasted over a year, and the light sensor has needed NO adjustment. The second unit worked just as well.

I wish I had not bought the third one, the different brand. I may take it out and see if I can make one of the VSBi units fit in that space somehow...

 

[7L Farm]

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I have this one as well & about the same length of time. Not one problem thus far. I take that back one very cold morning it didn't come up but I doubt the birds would of gone out anyway. Forgot to mention I don't need auto pop doors any more I only build three sided coops now. No more pop doors. I love them & the birds do too.

 

[FarmerMel]

This is a really cheap solution for an automatic chicken door!!! http://www.nifty-stuff.com/auto-coop-door-ii-antenna.php

 

[Kassaundra]

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I saved that site to favorites to show my husband when he gets home that looks cool. We've been talking about moving our door to a wall instead of the floor since we really want an automatic opener, but he's having all kinds of fits making one work.

 

[SteveBaz]

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I saved that site to favorites to show my husband when he gets home that looks cool. We've been talking about moving our door to a wall instead of the floor since we really want an automatic opener, but he's having all kinds of fits making one work.

Kassaundra,

That automatic car antenna was not only a FANTASTIC IDEA but about as cheap of a door Idea I have seen. Not only did I book mark the page but copied it just in case it goes away with being not supervised on the net and looses its posting.