[chrismahon]

It would be pointless us getting an automatic pop-hole opener/ closer. I'd be worried every morning and night that it hadn't worked or someone was locked out and go to check. If I did that I may as well open and close it myself.

[twizzel]

I have a chicken guard and use the timer, some of my hens take a while to go to bed so I don't want anyone shut out, it shuts about an hour after dusk.

[Womble]

Chris,  the reason we have one is so we don't have to be home exactly at dusk, which is difficult at certain times of the year. We can herd the ducks and geese to bed early if we need to, but hens don't herd! Having the automatic closer means we can ignore them and know that they will be locked away securely once they've gone to bed of their own accord.

[Stereo]

I had one and yes, it is good if you don't get home before dark often. Ours was fine until one stormy night I had a council meeting which went on very late and when I got home I forgot to nip up and check all was well. Luckily I have a lot of shelters as it had closed early and locked them all out except 1 who was very distressed in the morning. Fortunately they made it through the night poor things. I sent it back as it was playing up and they replaced it but the new one started messing about as well. I won't say the make as they gave me good service and perhaps I was just unlucky but to be honest I now just put more effort into making sure my fences are good and in the winter shut them in and let them out myself. In the summer, the door is never closed as they need to be out at 4am.

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Well, I haven't had one for all these years as I am a bit like Chris and like to check on them but like Womble there are times when I cant get home till after dusk and worry about them.


Stereo, I have never been to a council meeting that didn't go on very late. lol!


 

[Womble]

Of course the answer is to design and build your own. That way, when it goes wrong, not only do you only have yourself to blame, but you'll also know how to fix it! :-)

[Buffy the eggs layer]

No Womble,


 the answer is for you to make me one. Then if it works well I can pretend that I made it and if it dosent I can blame you


I dont know why I didn't think of this sooner

[artscott]

[size=78%]I gave up on my opener.  [/size][/size][size=78%]I have now taught all the ladies to roost in shed roof eight foot up.[/size][/size][size=78%]  [/size][/size][size=78%]That way if I’m a little late home they are safe.[/size]

[/size][size=78%]The ones that didn’t want to learn to roost up there found their way to the freezer.[/size]

 [/size][size=78%]I figure that was a quick, cost effective and tasty solution.[/size]

[minibn]

Hi,

I would highly recommend an automatic door. I have used a variety of doors, however have found the chucksaway the best. It is quite expensive to buy to begin with but it is well worth it. Mine only took a week or so to work it out (they are ex batts so haven't ever been outside to understand going in at dusk.) I have used both the timer and light sensor, I prefer the timer, I just make sure that it will be dark when it closes. It's harder in the summer months to do this though. I have even started using one for my turkeys. We have a lot of foxes here and have lost a lot of hens and a few cockerels to foxes.

It is definitely the best purchase I made.

Emily

[Buffy the eggs layer]

thanks Emily I love the name "chucksaway" 


will be interested to know if the turkeys get the hang of taking themselves into a coop at dusk instead of up a tree.