Every newbie chicken keeper starts off playing the door game, right? I remember myself doing a little sprint out to the coop and back inside, making sure all my feathered friends are cozy and comfy on their perches before sunset!
But let me tell you, that routine can turn into a crazy chicken run when it’s a race against time, hoping I make it before the sun disappears behind the horizon, so you can secure your feathered friends in for the night. I often thought “it’s just an extra hour,” but all I can think about is my poor girls getting a wake-up call from a hungry predator. The guilt? Oh boy, it’s a whole barnyard of feels!
At the end of the day, it all boils down to their safety and coziness, so making that late-night sprint or putting off plans that might stretch into the night was totally worth it!
You quickly come to realize that surrendering to the idea of an automatic door for your chicken coop is just part of the fun—at least that’s how it went down for me! The trigger was when we found ourselves in a whirlwind of chaos when our little one had a surprise hospital, not only did we have a sudden departure, the stay that lasted a whole week. Talk about turning our daily routines upside down!
Have you ever tried to herd 10 free-range chickens into the coop way before sun’s about to dip? If you have, you know it’s like trying to wrangle a pack of hyperactive squirrels! The pandemonium that unfolded during those crazy moments was a true test of patience, I tell you!
After that wild week, I rolled up my sleeves and plunged headfirst into researching the magical world of automatic doors. I was on a mission to find the perfect fit that could add a sprinkle of ease to our lives while still keeping our feathered friends in check. Let the adventure begin!
I must confess, I did some prior research and this was the best door to begin with. However, I wanted to explore at least one other option that promised the same features just for fun. Truth is I got caught up in cost, and purchased a less-expensive door. Boy, did I quickly discover exactly why it didn’t quite make the cut compared to the fabulous ChickenGuard Automatic Door Opener, and why this door and opener are top-notch!
Alrighty, let’s dive into my top three reasons I absolutely adore this door and my one major let down based on my adventures and unique experiences!
PROs.
1. Easy to install and program.
Installing this door was surprisingly easy, almost as if it should applaud me for my efforts! The entire process was straightforward and intuitive, making it feel like a rewarding achievement. Programming it is an absolutely delightful experience, and adjusting the various settings is a breeze that I never thought I would enjoy so much!
The instructions were clearer than my morning tea, which made the installation process a total breeze, allowing me to get everything set up without a hitch. I also snagged the Control Panel Extension Kit, because why not indulge in the best, especially when something enhances both functionality and style?
2. The Control Panel Extension Kit!
Most automatic chicken doors have their control panels snugly situated right on the door itself, which can sometimes be a bit inconvenient. However, with this particular door, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the fabulous Control Panel Extension Kit—what an incredibly nifty little surprise! This kit significantly enhances the user experience.
If your coop door is cozy situated within the confines of your run, just like mine is, you might find it less than desirable to hop into the run merely to fiddle with the control panel every time. This is where the extension kit comes into play; it enables you to stretch the control panel to a much more convenient and accessible spot. This feature truly makes life a breeze and adds a layer of convenience that every chicken owner can appreciate!
3. No Chicken Panini, Please!
You know, when it comes to door quality and color choices, those are high contenders for this title. But here’s a plot twist: many new chicken parents don’t even realize that their feathery friends could become doorstoppers—literally! I was blissfully unaware until I stumbled upon tales of chickens playing hide and seek with their own door. Spoiler alert: not every chicken wins.
This nifty feature is like a superhero for your hen house—it swoops in to prevent the door from crashing down on any egg-cited stragglers. Instead, it pauses like a good friend, waits for the latecomer to get their act together, opening wide before trying to close the show again.
I’ve since also learned that chickens have a knack for bedtime. They may be quirky, but let’s be real, they usually know when it’s curfew!
CONS.
Alright, let’s spill the beans! There’s just one tiny hiccup I spotted on this wild ride. I totally saw this coming when I made the leap, but the perks, super easy-peasy use, and that quirky green hue definitely made it a fun choice!
Not Wi-Fi compatible!
Nor is there a remote. Sigh. This could be a significant drawback, particularly depending on the distance of your coop from your home and the prevailing weather conditions! You can’t stay inside on a wintry day and just open the door; not only that, there are no alerts that you will receive because, well, no Wi-Fi. Did someone get locked out? If they did, I couldn’t open the door to let them in anyway. This was a huge issue for me!
It was easily solved by adding cameras to show the door of the coop and the help of a trusted neighbour in case of an emergency. (Note: With any livestock, you should have a trusted person who can do regular checks and be available in a hurry for any unforeseen emergency, but that’s a whole other post.)
Cameras also helped when when the torque decided to misbehave, and the door went on strike! Seriously, isn’t that the whole point of this contraption?! Picture this: I’m doing my nightly chicken count, and suddenly, my door decides it’s auditioning for a drama and refuses to close. Thankfully, I was there to save the day like a door whisperer, giving it a gentle nudge and shutting it down like a seasoned pro.
Now, wouldn’t it be a riot if I could summon some Wi-Fi magic or a remote that screams, “Hey, your door is having a moment!”
(Just a tiny note: this quirky hiccup has only waltzed into my life a couple of times, and both times, I was on the scene like a vigilant hawk, with no further drama since!)
Final Thoughts.
And that’s a wrap! Seriously, I can’t think of any hiccups to throw your way. I wholeheartedly say, if you’re a chicken keeper, this door is an absolute must-have, and I’m clucking excited to recommend it!
Watch mine in action!
As with all my posts, I particularly focus on the specific wants and needs of novice pet chicken owners or those who are just getting into the hobby of raising chickens. As a beginner myself, I often found myself on a quest for basic information presented in layman’s terms, or I sought out items and resources that might have seemed ridiculous or unnecessary in the eyes of experienced chicken keepers. It was through this journey that I realized how important it is to have accessible information tailored to those just starting out. My aim is to bridge that gap and provide guidance that can help ease the learning curve for others who share this passion.
The material and information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. You should not rely on the material or information in this post as a basis for making any business, legal, or any other decisions.