Mary Allen
Automatic door openers and closers or electronic gatekeepers are ingenious inventions. When choosing the right automatic chicken door, however, there are a few things to consider.
Automatic chicken flaps save poultry breeders and keepers from having to go to the henhouse early in the morning to release the poultry into the yard. And in the evening, after dusk, they no longer have to repeat the walk in order to, equipped with a flashlight, close the chicken door again and thus protect their animals from robbers.
A few years ago there were only a few suppliers of automatic chicken flaps, but today several manufacturers offer them. The models differ only in a few features, it is not easy to find the right one for your own needs. All are reliable unless they are not checked regularly.
All manufacturers offer different models that can be connected directly to the mains or run on AA batteries. Solar modules for operating the porter are only available from two suppliers. All are equipped with an integrated light sensor so that the slider opens automatically at dawn and closes at dusk. The sensors can also be set to open or close a little later.
Pay Attention to the Correct Assembly
Most also have an integrated timer, so you can program them to open at around 8 a.m. in the morning and close automatically at dusk in the evening. External timers can also be purchased from individual companies. With the more luxurious models, it is even possible to program the flap to open later on some days, for example at the weekend, so that the neighbors can rest a little longer than on weekdays. Because the rooster always crows early, he doesn’t know the day of the week. For barns where the slider is mounted inside, some people, therefore, offer external light sensors that are mounted outside and connected to the opener mounted inside.
Most models are also designed in such a way that the engine is stopped if the slider comes up against something. So if a hen wants to enter the coop while the motor is closing, it will stop and only continue to close once the hen is in the coop.
For all models, the sliders and the matching rails can also be ordered at the same time. These are available in different sizes, including for larger animals such as ducks or geese. With some, you can even order sliders with a self-locking mechanism. These are equipped with a mechanism that, once closed, locks in such a way that it cannot be lifted, preventing even the most sophisticated predators from picking it up with their snouts. However, if the opener cannot be attached vertically above the slider, there are deflection rollers on offer or are already included so that the opener can still be installed.
During assembly, it is essential to ensure that the cord is positioned perpendicular to the slider. Otherwise, the flap can become wedged in the rails when opening or closing. The slider should also not be tied directly to the cord of the opener. Instead, a carabiner or S-hook should be mounted between the slider and the cord. This makes it easier to unhook when the animals have to stay in the stall, be it for a health check, if they are to be prepared for the exhibition or if they should not leave the stall for other reasons.
Check Batteries Regularly
In the winter months, there is also a risk that a lot of liquid will get into the rails of the opener, causing them to freeze over or a layer of ice preventing them from closing. During this time, the rails should be treated with a non-freezing lubricant so that they can be reliably opened and closed. With sliders and rails made of wood, it should also be considered that the wood expands or contracts depending on the humidity. This means that the slider suddenly jams and therefore no longer opens or closes permanently. The motors of the openers are only built for a pulling force of two to three kilograms.
With the exception of one provider, all gatekeepers open and close vertically. The only horizontally locking gatekeeper can only be operated with a battery. A complete set is supplied, which includes the mounted slider and is easy to assemble.
The only Swiss entrepreneur even offers assembly at a very reasonable price. According to his information, he plans to offer a complete package including installation and a five-year guarantee for a flat rate of 200 francs next year.