Automatic Coop Door - What do you like?

[Kel80537]

Hello! We are building a new coop and want to add an automatic door. Unfortunately, there are SO many products out there that we are having a hard time knowing which will be best. We don't necessarily need a bunch of bells and whistles, but we do need:
1. Timer
2. Battery (with solar is a bonus)
3. Safety sensor

If you have a door you love, would you mind sharing the brand & model along with what you like/don't like about it?

TIA!

 

[Debbie292d]

There's a few threads about automatic doors both generally and/or by brand if you search the brand you're considering.

Here's a thread with a bunch of replies on it.

Our automatic doors are my hubby and I. We opted not to get one, although sure would be handy in inclement weather not to have to run out there in the rain or snow!!

 

[Kel80537]

Thanks @Debbie292d!

One other note for anyone who wishes to reply. I should have noted that the door will open to a covered run on the north side of the house. It will very likely not get enough light to operate a light sensor accurately.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thanks @Debbie292d!

One other note for anyone who wishes to reply. I should have noted that the door will open to a covered run on the north side of the house. It will very likely not get enough light to operate a light sensor accurately.

Most I've heard of have manual settings you can use, such as open at 6:00 a.m., close at 8:00 p.m. Those have to be adjusted occasionally though, and especially at Daylight Savings times.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I use a standard Chicken Guard, timer only as I worry about gloom affecting the opening and closing of it (especially since I have it installed inside, not outside). I think you can get them with solar and timer, but not sure. But it does not have any sort of safety sensor (which I assume would tell you a bird is in the way?)

 

[Kel80537]

Thanks! I definitely want the safety sensor. I was shopping on Amazon (almost always creates more confusion from too many products), and I read multiple reviews where birds were crushed or decapitated. I can’t even imagine…

 

[Kel80537]

Has anyone used the Pullet-shut door? That one is interesting to me. It doesn’t have the safety sensor, but I’m wondering if it isn’t safer simply due to the way the door opens/closes. If you have one, or if you have used one, please let me know what you think about it. TIA!

https://chickendoors.com/

 

[lngsy]

Has anyone used the Pullet-shut door? That one is interesting to me. It doesn’t have the safety sensor, but I’m wondering if it isn’t safer simply due to the way the door opens/closes. If you have one, or if you have used one, please let me know what you think about it. TIA!

https://chickendoors.com/

Hi Kel80537, this door looks great! Did you end up trying it out? If so, do you like it?

 

[Kel80537]

I did not. I ended up getting another horizontally sliding door, which I like. But, it scares me a little because the safety feature only works if something is already there when it tries to close. If something crosses the opening when the door is in progress, it won’t trigger. So, I have it set to open in the AM and I manually close in the PM. Really, I just don’t want to get out of bed at the crack of dawn, so it works for me. And, I paid only a fraction of the price of the other on. I wanna say it was $70 ish

 

[RandyStine]

You've got your door now, but I want to add my 2 cents.
I have a Ladies First Chicken Door. It has a safety sensor. It's activated by light only. There's no timer function, but I don't miss that function at all. It's powered by batteries recharged via the solar panel/light sensor. The door is raised/lowered on a screw drive. And it's made in America. It's not cheap, but it is RELIABLE. Look them up if you're looking for a chicken door.