The Poultry Keeper

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

Has anyone got any info on automatic pop hole openers. Can I get one in Somerset? Will they run off a car battery? Has anyone made their own?

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:05 pm Post subject:

I have just bought one, i'll do a search and find the thread.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:07 pm Post subject:

http://forums.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3326&highlight=pop+doors

Scroll down...I rang Simon and he sent it to me within a few days, but i havent fitted it yet.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I have one I got it mail order from chickenhouseman. (Wells Poultry) It is excellent. It runs from 4 AA batteries and the timer (if you have one of those) runs from a fat battery ~ I can't remeber it's size ~ they come supplied with the batteries.
I set it so that it closed at dusk ~ light sensor mode (this can be adjusted slightly very easily) when all my girls would have gone in. I had it opening on timer mode, so that it opened at a time to suit me ~ so that they wouldn't all be dashing frantically round the run making lots of noise at 3.00a.m. in summer.
I wouldn't have been without mine ~ it just made everything so much easier.The pop hole wasn't near our house so there was the going in and out in the rain to let them in and out ~ much easier done by remote control.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:12 pm Post subject:

chicken_house_man · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 121 Location: Brynmawr

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

thanks very much Aussie chick & summayah, I'll get in touch with Wells poultry asap. This is very helpful as I thought you had to have mains electric to power them & I haven't got this at the chicken house.

nigel · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:40 pm Post subject:

I use one too and wouldn't be without it

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

There you go Richard, click on the link above your last post.
Belinda I would definitely advise the timer. As the light gets earlier in the mornings, so the foxes will be out probably whilst you're still in bed. I'm not saying you lie in bed, but are you up by 4.00 every morning in the summer?

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:53 pm Post subject:

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

thanks summayah,
I don't want to be getting up at dawn in the summer as it's too early already

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

If you read the papers that came with it Belinda, I think it gives some idea of delays that are built in ~ like a flash of lightening isn't going to open the pop. Your sensor lights might start them opening, but as soon as the light goes off the pop will come back down again.
If you are concerned you can put opening and closing on the timer, you just have to join two pins in the box (and they provide the wire to do that)
It is so easy ~ if I can do it anyone can

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:36 pm Post subject:

Thanks Summayah...once it warms up a bit I'll be out there putting it on.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

You won't regret it, I'm sure. But I can understand waiting for a bit of warmer weather ~ the winds are so cold, aren't they?

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:04 pm Post subject:

Freezing here and even colder tomorrow.....Actually I'm hoping Sam will fit it when the weather warms up a bit....he or I need to adapt the current door a bit to free fall first.