The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Buffy the eggs layer on July 26, 2012, 08:07:02 am

Title: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on July 26, 2012, 08:07:02 am

Hi,
      having steped out this morning to be greated by all my hens who wernt locked up last night I think I should invest in an automatic pop hole opener / closer.
Last night was a bit of a blip as I have pnumonia and fell into a bit of a delerious slumber about half past 8 and didnt surface again till 6 this morning. Having said that it did make me think that there would be advantages to having one for the winter etc when I cant always get home till well after dark.
Do any of you use them?
Which one would you recomend?
 

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on July 26, 2012, 08:50:15 am

We have a VSB on on the Guinea Fowl shed as they are in the field farthest away from the house. I have been very happy with it so far.

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: suziequeue on July 26, 2012, 08:52:27 am

Absolutely fantastic. Never looked back since we got ours.


We go ours from Wells Poultry

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: Womble on July 26, 2012, 10:51:52 am

 
Another vote for the VSB from me. Ours actually broke after just over a year (not sure why), but was replaced free of charge by the manufacturer without any issues.

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: ellied on July 26, 2012, 02:24:17 pm

I don't have one but if I could afford something I would seriously consider one - my main concern other than price tho is that a fixed timer closing down in the evening doesn't make much allowance for a hen that is slow to go to bed where I always do a visual check..  I would love one to let them out at dawn tho, I was up at 4-430am for several weeks tho now it has lapsed to 5-530 and I know they'd prefer to be out earlier ::)

Tech issue also, my pophole has to be lifted and bolted rather than raised/dropped by hanging wire/rope - not sure how one thing would fit all models ???

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: Bionic on July 26, 2012, 02:30:26 pm

ellied,
I don't let my birds out until about 8.30am. They are usually making a bit of a racket by then but any earlier and I would be afraid of Mr Fox.
Sally

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: Sudanpan on July 26, 2012, 09:19:07 pm

Absolutely FAB!!!! Best thing ever invented.


We got ours from Wells Poultr as well - might seem a bit expensive but IMHO worth it.

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: pikilily on July 26, 2012, 09:40:20 pm

Elied- you can get the ones which work on either the daylight or on a timer...my birds all go off to bed at five...even in summer months.. cos that was the 'trained' time in the winter...they learn so very quickly  ;) ;)
Emma T

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on July 26, 2012, 10:50:34 pm

I have had a look on'tinternet and they are about 90 quid for the opener and another 45 for the timer.
 
Anyone found them cheaper?

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: piggy on July 27, 2012, 12:32:23 am

http://www.pandtpoultry.co.uk/index.php/fuseaction/shop.product/categoryid/100/productid/2231 (http://www.pandtpoultry.co.uk/index.php/fuseaction/shop.product/categoryid/100/productid/2231)


Any good?

Title: Re: what do we think about pop hole openers?
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on July 28, 2012, 06:34:04 am

Thanks Piggy
 
      that looks ideal. I have 3 coops running at the moment due to broody girls, the last batch of growers and the main layers coop.
    But will drop down to one for winter so that would be perfect.