What Times To Set Automatic Door To Open And Close?

[Uncle Marc]

I installed my automatic chicken coop door the other day. Of course since our run is under a 12 X 16 coop which is about 3 feet off the ground, the ramp down to the run is steep and the chickens haven't gone under the coop yet, but I want to set the door to open and close with the timer.

With reference to sun up and sun down, how should I set the timer? I was thinking about setting it about 2 hours after sun up to open, giving them (10 weeks old) time to eat and get a drink.

I wonder what time to set it to close at night. After dark, just before dark? What say you?

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Mine opens at dawn and closes at dusk

 

[Rhalar]

How does that work for you? Do you ever have chickens left out at night? I was thinking about auto doors but wasn't sure if the chickens would all make it in before it closes for the
night.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Works great, I got the pulletshut door and couldn't be happier...it's like a vacation. I have the solar sensor but you can also manually program it for any time you want..check into it.
Sometimes young chickens have to learn to go inside at night...once they learn it's regular thing

 

[IslandChiks]

My chickens must be a flock of Hussies. They won't come in when it gets dark. I have to go out and
wrangled them into the shed. They will lay down just outside the fence.

 

[StarryEyzz]

My chickens must be a flock of Hussies. They won't come in when it gets dark. I have to go out and
wrangled them into the shed. They will lay down just outside the fence.

They are waiting for some male visitors? LOL

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Scare them. The boogey man comes out at night.

 

[The Lazy L]

How does that work for you? Do you ever have chickens left out at night? I was thinking about auto doors but wasn't sure if the chickens would all make it in before it closes for the
night.

Open at dawn, close at dusk. Coop light comes on just before dusk and goes off at 10 PM.

Chicks were raised in the coop since they were 1 day old. They are 4 weeks old now.

When they were 3 weeks old I put the chicken door on auto. So far they are all in the coop and sitting on the roost before dusk!