The Poultry Keeper

Matildanz · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:44 am Post subject: automatic pop hole openers

I've been talking to the MOTH and have bought up the subject of automatic door openers/closers. He's fairly handy around the house with gadgets (some might even call him a freak! Not me of course......no siree Wink

) and he's certain he can rig some sort of gizmo/contraption up. Is there any real benefit to having the door automated? Obviously it means not having to go out in the rain to close the door Rolling Eyes

but I find in the morning it's quite handy to be able to grab the girls as they come out to give them the 'once over' - much to their horror Laughing

although they are getting used to the indignity of it all

Also his concern at the moment is what if a chook is halfway in the door...... Confused

nigel · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:55 am Post subject:

I have an automatic pophole opener and I find it invaluable. If for any reason I am delayed I know the girls will be let out/locked in. It's a real peace of mind thing. Ours is photosensitive and opens and closes with the daylight. There is a timer attachment for it if you prefer.

The door opens very slowly so no chooks have to be guillotined on the way in or out.

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2671 Location: South Cumbria

my guineas wait until they hear it closing and then make a dash for it, quite amusing to watch !

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

I wouldnt be without my automatic pophole opener. If you're late home for any reason, you dont have to worry about the chooks or go out and close/open them up when it's bad weather. Invaluable for me.

www.woodenart.org.uk · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 53 Location: shropshire

Endorse all of what's said above plus we are out to work before the sun comes up in Winter (chickens still roosting) so up comes the doors while we're away Very Happy

We have fitted loads to our Hen Houses and all our customers give us positive feedback about them.

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1116 Location: Sussex

ive been thinking about getting one

Hoffy · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

I just don't understand why they are so expensive,

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

They're made in Germany, so you have to pay for the manufacturing and the importing and then the retailers profit. They're a specialist product so will be expensive.

I'd recommend getting the timer too, so you can choose when the door opens and closes. Foxes prowl at dusk and dawn, just when the light sensor operates the door, so a timer is much better. Open after dawn and close well before dusk (if you chooks are good and take themselves to bed early).

alyvin · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 20

I love my auto door opener. It was expensive but worth every penny. I can lie in bed on cold mornings and not have to worry about letting them out. Also I work shifts so its good to know they're safe in bed when it goes dark.
I use the timer not the sensor and that way I can set it for just after dark so I know they're all definitely in.

privatehire · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 39 Location: West Yorkshire

does anyone know where to get them from?

CP · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject:

Chicken house man - a member on here - sells them from his website - http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/

Probably from elsewhere too if you Google. Wink

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 1042 Location: St. Asaph

I love my automatic opener, I just use it on the sensor as the girls come out into secure pen until I open it for free ranging - bliss a lie in Very Happy

.

they all return to the pen well before the opener closes so I can close the pen up and let them put themselves to bed knowing the opener will shut and they'll be safe- handy if working or going out.

I got mine from a forum member - HelenC, can recommend, good service and fast arrival..........www.wiltshirechickens.co.uk.

chicken_house_man · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 129 Location: Brynmawr

The price reflects what you get and the 3 year warrenty that backs it up. The closest anyone has got with a home made one is around £55, without including their time or any of the features the real one has

nenee · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 56 Location: north wales

HI there

was just about to do a new thread about "what to do if staying out over night over christmas how do i let them out???"

do you know if they will fit these to a coop i already have rather than just their own coops they sell? it looks a fab idea and would save so much time and we could both have a lie in on a sunday lol Very Happy

cheers

nenee

Bhindi · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:10 pm Post subject:

You can fit them on your own coops, but any technical questions just fire them at the Chicken house man, he is very helpful.