shootthepigeon Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Evening all has anyone made a dawn dusk auto door for a coop? Or any advise as to which one to buy? All replies appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 (edited) A friend of mine bought one off interweb when he had chickens a few years back. Quite a good little device, just works on daylight, through a photocell of some kind I would imagine. It worked well enough in so much as the chickens would put themselves to bed and the door would shut shortly thereafter. The only con... the foxes learned that humans weren't always about and so one evening, when we went up his local for a couple of pints, we got back 2 hours later to find absolute ruddy carnage. Poxy fox had gotten in to the hen house, after negotiating 6' fence topped off with barbed wire with an electric fence the other side of it so it would have been zapped several times as it tried to make its way through. Still, that's another story. The auto coup door did work fine, just let the fox in before it shut. Edited January 13, 2016 by Doc Holliday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 I looked at these before but as the chickens are a couple of fields away it always gives my dogs one last run when I shut them in. Mind you the weather we have had lately it would be a lot easier and dryer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 The advantage of not having one is it gives you a chance to check if the hens are OK last thing. Good if you are out for the day and back late though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlyn Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 I've had a 'chicken guard' for the last 4 years, fault free and the best £80 I've ever spent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffjjack Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) Yip I have made one, works a treat for me, the design was taken off net but adapted for me, works on either 12V battery or (as I have power in the shed) a 12Vdc power plug... You'll need 1 x 12Vdc timer clock, 1 x 12Dvc photocell 2 x 12Vdc relays 1 x 12Vdc high torque motor 1 x suitable pulley wheel 1 x box to put it all 3 x limit switches I bought all the bits off ebay but, as I am an electrical engineer, things like boxes cable etc was "borrowed" I reckon it would cost you about £50-£70 to build Will post pictures when I get home/weekend I looked at the bought ones but I wanted more control, as in, in summer the timer will open the door so that our big boy is not waking the neighbors at 04:30 and in winter the photocell will close the door just after they roost (as it gets dark).. this gives us peace of mind when we are out that the door isnt open at 20:00 and Mr fox cant help him self!!! Edited January 14, 2016 by jeffjjack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootthepigeon Posted January 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Thanks for the replies it would only be used when we are away, just to save our neighbour a job first and last thing. I'll get one off the net I think, I haven't got the time really to make thinking about it. Cheers Thanks for the replies it would only be used when we are away, just to save our neighbour a job first and last thing. I'll get one off the net I think, I haven't got the time really to make thinking about it. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpy69 Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 I installed a dawntillduskdoors.com one for my boss as he was going on holiday and did not want to put anyone to the bother of having to go to his house twice a day to let the hens out. It was easy to install and set up. He found it was a few pounds cheaper to buy off their ebay site. Has been on for a month now and had no problems. There are others but most seem to be set by time which might seem fine at first but I guess you would have to be adjusting the settings almost every week to save locking them out as the days get longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 My pen has scaffolding mesh side and an enclosed roof the cat can walk about on. The sides ads dug in tk 2 feet with chicken wire with rubble on top as well before covering with soil. The chicks get themselves up and put themselves to bed. Charlie has tried to get in and failed. I'd struggle without bolt cutters or a digger. Saves a lot of messing about in the mornings especially when raining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 had one for years best thing i have bought for the chucks got mine off flea bay , if you decide to buy one you will also need a sliding door and rails dont buy these i can make you them in the fab shop at work and post them to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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