Why automatic doors?

[duneslider]

So, a question about automatic doors. What is the need for an automatic door? Does the door need to be closed at night? Is this just a safety thing and needed if there are predators in the area that could get in?

 

[DobieLover]

You don't need an automatic door.
The birds need to be fully secured at night. If you don't have a fully secured, predator proof run attached to the coop then you will need to secure them in their coop. You can close and open the door manually.
There are very few areas that do not have predators that will eventually find and take chickens. Regardless if you've seen them or not. Most predators are nocturnal.

 

[Grannys Backyard Chicks]

I know they are advertised a lot. I'd be concerned about a chick getting left outside at night. Sure I'd still be checking on them so I might as well close and open the door.

 

[nuthatched]

They're nice if you go to work earlier than the chickens get up or work nights.
The motor/sensors can be bought, brinsea has them and a predator proof door can be built. I have one, but it's not installed.

 

[duneslider]

I guess what I am getting at, if they are in a secure/safe run is there a need for closing the door on the coop itself at night? We will only be free ranging the chickens in the day when we can monitor. So, is there a need to lock them up in the coop, vs just secured in the run that has free access in and out of the coop?

 

[Ridgerunner]

is there a need to lock them up in the coop, vs just secured in the run that has free access in and out of the coop?

Most of us want our chickens to be safe from predators. If your run is safe from predators an opening between the coop and run does not have to be closed to keep them safe, assuming the rest of the coop is safe, as long as they are in the coop.

Some predators, such as raccoons, can sometimes reach through run fencing with their hands and claws. If your chickens are sleeping in the run next to the fencing and the fence openings are large enough a raccoon or some other predators may be able to reach through and tear pieces of meat off of the chickens to eat. So where do your chickens sleep?

Many people that feel their run is safe leave a door open to the coop all night. That is a good way to give them more room when they wake up. That could be really handy during integration. If you sleep late and feed or water in the run instead of the coop the chickens can eat and drink before you get out there. There are plenty of reasons why leaving a door open could be beneficial, but it all boils down to your comfort level that the chickens will be OK. Your comfort level, not mine or someone else's.

 

[killmak]

Even if I felt my run was safe I know how determined predators can be. I would still secure them in their coop at night just to be safe. I am installing an automatic door in my coop. It is a pretty cheap crappy one so I am just using it in the morning. I wake up after sunrise and it would be nice for them to be able to go out earlier without me having to get up earlier. I will still go out and lock them up at night normally as I do not trust it to close properly.

 

[Farmers Chicken Farm]

I was reluctant to get get an automatic door because of the cost. I finally broke down and purchased one because of my work schedule.
On days I work, I’m gone 14 hours. Days I’m home, I like to sleep in. There’s no way I can open and close the coop door during daylight hours on work days most of the year, on days I’m home I feel guilty leaving them in longer than necessary. I don’t keep water in the coop.
An automatic coop door changed that.
I don’t need to go out in the rain or snow to open or shut the door.
Rats dig their way in. Coyotes, dogs, and bears tear through hardware cloth. Possums and raccoons will tear through enough to grab. The coop is sturdy, I’m glad they sleep in it.
On rare occasions, one or two don’t make it in on time. They’re usually miserable, especially in the cold. They make it in early the next night.

 

[Penpal]

When we had chickens years ago their coop was in the paddock which had four electric wires around it. We left the door open. Never had a predator take one of the chickens at night.

 

[KyCoop]

We have auto doors on the run and the coop. We did it for vacation purposes.

My run is secure and the only time we leave the coop door open is during integration (like now) when I don't want the coop turning into the Thunder dome. It allows the littles to escape the OG ladies.