I'm sending out a request to the engineers and tinkerers in the group for someone to PLEASE invent a safe and secure automatic door. I envision a tiny garage door opener or electric gate opener that uses similar technology with some kind of bar that locks the door down and will not allow it to slide open from the outside. Also important is a photo eye safety beam like what is used with garage doors that prevents one from closing if there is an obstruction in its path. A design that opens straight up or flaps inward is better than a door that protrudes out from the coop where it could be bumped and damaged. My vision includes a battery-powered timer with a solar charger that offers a dusk-till-dawn or manual open and close times. Another important feature is to continue to re-close after each obstructed attempt until the door is securely closed for the night. I recently heard of a prototype motor that has a reopen feature that waits 5 minutes after the first close, then reopens for 5 minutes before closing for the night. This is to let late arrivals come in to roost. That seems to be a nice feature also. Such a door would be worth at least $200 to me, maybe more. I hope I've inspired someone to go to work on it. You certainly have an eager market waiting with the forum.
My automatic door that operates with a drapery motor closed on one of my hens recently. Fortunately, the door is not heavy enough to crush the hen and it closes slowly--not with a slam, but she was trapped. Had I not found her she would have been coon food that night.
