
Make sure you choose a model which has a motor which controls the speed the door closes.

These are far more likely to trap a chicken who's coming into the coop a little late. Gravity feed: Some models rely on gravity to close. Whether you decide to buy the Chicken Guard pop door (which is what I use), or any other model, there are features you need to take into account for your individual situation.īefore we look at features offered by different models, consider these three cautions. If a hen gets caught by the edge - and none of mine ever have - they'd have plenty of time to either get into the coop, or withdraw.įeatures to look for in any automatic pop door.

#AUTOMATIC CHICKEN COOP DOOR DESIGN MANUAL#
Of course, if opening the coop and watching your chickens run out to meet the day is a source of great pleasure for you, that's fine - stick with a manual door which you open and close yourself.īut an automatic door has changed my life (and my chickens') for the better - and it could change yours, too. Have you wanted to go away on vacation, or been called away to a family emergency, but you feel bad asking friends or neighbours to call twice a day to let your flock out of the coop?Īn automatic pop door, particularly if it's combined with an automatic feeder, can sort all those issues out.Have you ever been so exhausted that you desperately need a lie-in - but at 4am your hens are kicking up a fuss because it's dawn and they can't get out?.Have you ever had times when you've been unexpectedly detained outside the home and you can't get back to close your flock in for the night? An automatic door takes care of that for you.
