If you are rearing chicken, you understand how time-consuming it can get to keep opening and closing the coop door, so your poultry can explore the outdoors. If this has been a hassle for you, it is time to make the best chicken coop with an automatic door, but for that, you will need to buy the best automatic chicken door. So, we have compiled a list of the best doors we can buy today and a short buying guide to help you decide.
What Is an Automatic Chicken Coop Door?
Image credits: ebay.com
An automatic chicken coop door is motor-powered and uses a set timer or light sensor to open and close every morning and evening. So, this door guarantees you can sleep after the sun is up, and you don't need to double-check whether you close it well at night. It opens wide enough for your chickens to go feed and closes tight enough to protect them from the elements and predators at night.
But, there are a few challenges you can encounter when you want to buy automatic chicken coop doors. Firstly, there are too many options in the market, and each promise the best operation and safety. In addition, you will need an automatic coop door that is compatible with your coop and, finally, one that's easy to install and operate.
If you can't sift through the many offers to choose one that's best for you and your poultry, we will share the best five doors we have tested. Hopefully, one of these is compatible with your rig to offer the nest safety.
Rank | Product Image | Brand Name | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
1. |
| ||
2. |
| ||
3. |
| ||
4. |
| ||
5. |
|
1. RUN-CHICKEN Automatic Chicken Coop Door
- 🐓 PLUG AND PLAY TECHNOLOGY - It takes no more than 10 minutes to install automatic chicken door opener (no...
- 🔋 BATTERY POWERED - Minimum of 1 YEAR battery life that works in all conditions (2xAA batteries included, you...
- ⏰ EASY TO USE - Easily programmable with push button or for more advanced settings use phone configurator. It...
- 💧 WORKS IN EXTREME WEATHER - Waterproof ; run chicken automatic door will work in snow, rain, and dust from...
- 🐓 ALL IN ONE DESIGN - One piece; full aluminum doors and slider. High-quality powder-coated Fine structural...
Last update on 2022-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are farming poultry at whatever level, you are part of a billion-dollar industry. You will want to do everything possible to keep your investment safe, starting with feeding your chicken healthy foods and using the safest chicken coop. But a coop is only good if it's made with the best materials, including a safe coop door.
If you have been looking for a dependable door, this Run-Chicken automatic chicken coop door is your best option. We installed this coop door in a few minutes because the door comes with three screw holes that you can fasten against the wood and other surfaces.
Image Credits: run-chicken.com
It is a battery-powered coop door that works best with Panasonic or Duracell batteries. You can easily open the panel to replace them if they run out of juice. We also found that the door resists weather damage, so you can leave your coop outdoors without worry.
Finally, we wanted to test how the automatic chicken coop door opener works, and this model exceeded our expectations. You can configure it to open and close before and after sunlight using the light sensor option or set specific timers using the Run-Chicken smartphone app. In our case, we set the timer to open at seven in the morning and close at eight in the evening to keep our breed outdoors longer.
Pros
Cons
2. ChickenGuard Self-Locking Chicken Coop Door
- Introducing our brand new self locking door – A world’s first. Perfect to stop crafty predators from lifting up...
- Once the door is fully lowered locks engage on either side, adding an additional level of comfort and security for...
- Weather resistant, will not warp, crack or swell with moisture. Material actually hardens and strengthens over time...
- ChickenGuard takes environmental responsibility extremely seriously so we are proud that our tough and durable...
- Our brand new self-locking door kit is sure to be a game changer for backyard chicken owners wanting to secure...
Last update on 2022-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This ChickenGuard automated chicken coop door is another favorite, but we did not fancy the technical configuration process involved. Besides that, it is one of the safest doors to use for your coop, especially if predators often visit your precious flock.
The installation process is not hard, you only need to mount the control box 3-4 inches above the coop door, add batteries, and you're good to go. Unfortunately, the package did not come with the automatic door opener, but we found it still worked well when we operated it manually. If you want to rest easy knowing your flock is safe, it is best to buy the ChickeGuard door opener, which is sold separately.
Image Credits: chickenguard.com
The opener is battery-powered and can also draw power from the main switch. Once installed, the aluminum door guarantees safety as it stays shut all night. The design uses a unique technology with self-locking wings that keep the door locked and will only release when the door opener lifts the locking pins to lift the wings.
When setting the opening and closing times, we noticed it included a long process configuring the up and down buttons. As a result, we got it wrong several times until we visited the company website for clearer instructions.
Pros
Cons
3. KEBONNIXS Automatic Chicken Coop Door
- SLEEP MORE - No longer will you be required to wake up early to let out your chickens, it will open / close...
- EASY TO USE – Integrated fully featured LCD screen for easy use, both the timer and sunlight sensor sensitivity...
- PEACE OF MIND – When coop door is closed properly at night, the door closed indicator light on the control box...
- BATTERY OR ELECTRIC POWERED – Using 4 x AA batteries (not included) or external 6V power adapter (not included).
- EASY TO INSTALL – Aluminum metal door kit included! No complicated wiring or cabling, simply attach the control...
Last update on 2022-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is our best recommendation for a chicken coop with an automatic door for a small budget. But, more than the price, we recommend this automatic door because of its safety. Unlike other automatic coop doors that use linear actuators driven by motors, this Kebonnixs door uses the power of gravity to pull the door down slowly, so it would never crush your beloved chicken.
We installed it easily in a few minutes by screwing the door and the control box into a wooden chicken coop. After that, we configured the opening and closing settings using the battery-operated door opener, which can also connect to your home's electricity for stress-free control.
Image Credits: amazon.com/KEBONNIXS
In our case, we used the battery option that leaves the entire unit waterproof so we could leave the coop exposed on rainy nights. In addition, the unit has the easiest-to-control battery unit; it is located at the side of the control box, and you won't need screws to access it. Instead, open the tiny compartment and replace the batteries as necessary.
Configuring the timer and light sensor was also a breeze. The control box has a fully featured LCD screen that displays the time, light settings, and battery level. So, we could easily set the door opening time and choose the best light level. The manufacturer advises setting a light level of at least 20% to prevent activation by artificial light, including torches or street lights.
Pros
Cons
4. MATICOOPX Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener
Last update on 2024-08-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Maticoopx chicken coop door is another automatic model you can try, and we recommend it for one main reason; it will retract and open if there is a chicken feeding or passing underneath it. So, if keeping your chicken safe is your priority, it could be the best sliding door for your rig.
The model comes with a weatherproof control box plus a coated aluminum door, and the entire installation process required us to fasten some stainless steel screws into the wooden rig through a steel frame. Then, once installed, the time set up was a breeze.
Image Credits: amazon.com/MATICOOPX
For instance, we could configure the door to open and close using the light sensor, where we only needed to decide how much light warranted the door to remain open. In addition, we could set the preferred time for opening and closing and combine the timer and light settings to operate the door automatically.
The door has a large LCD screen that displays all the settings, including the time, light, and battery levels. The battery compartment is easily retractable for replacement, and the new batteries can last several months before you need to place them.
Pros
Cons
5. FarmLite Automatic Chicken Coop Door
- ✔️ WHILE OTHER AUTOMATIC COOP DOORS DO NOT HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR THE POWER SUPPLY, FARMLITE'S DOES!...
- ✔️ FarmLite offers the Infrared Protection Sensing Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener With TIMER AND LIGHT...
- ✔️ With easy to follow instructions AND AN INFRARED PROTECTION SENSOR you can set the FarmLite Automatic...
- ✔️ The FarmLite Automatic Chicken Door comes with a 12V Power Supply Cord, an External Infrared Sensor, an...
- ✔️ BEING AN AMERICAN OWNED & OPERATED BUSINESS, WE OFFER THE STRONGEST REPLACEMENT POLICY ON THE MARKET! Buy...
Last update on 2022-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We also tested this automatic chicken coop door and loved it because it does not use batteries, which is better for the environment. Unfortunately, while alkaline batteries are not wildly toxic to the environment, they can also cause quite a lot of damage when not properly recycled. So, we were hopeful this power grid or solar-powered coop door would be great, and we were not disappointed.
Image credits: farmlite.store
When unboxing, we found the door inside, plus installation materials, a power supply cord, an external infrared sensor, two remote controls, and an external battery holder, a bonus for emergencies. But, there were no batteries in the package, so we would have to buy those if we ever needed to use them, which we did not. While the door can work on batteries, it is designed to drain them fast, so it is best to use green energy for power.
Besides the power source, we also loved the easy installation involved, and we could use a timer or light sensitivity to configure the door operation. In addition, the door uses infrared sensor technology to prevent slamming down on unsuspecting poultry. Finally, the remote controls make opening and closing easier if you want to close them manually, in which case it is best to stand at most 120 feet away.
Pros
Cons
Factors to Consider as You Buy the Best Automatic Chicken Doors
Image Credits: bestnestbox.com
Don't fancy waking up at dawn to open the coop doors for your chicken? Your best solution will be getting an automatic chicken coop door that opens and shuts by itself, depending on how you configure its settings. But first, you can consider the following factors to sift through the many automatic doors in the market successfully.
a) The best power source
There are three main power sources for chicken coop door openers; battery power, solar power, and electricity.
If you get a battery-powered coop door, ensure you can replace the batteries when necessary. This power source is best when your coop is located far from your electricity line. If you buy this option, ensure your control panel has a low battery indicator to suggest when it is time to replace the batteries.
An electric-powered coop door is best if a power outlet is nearby and is the best option for continuous operation. A solar-powered coop door is as good as the electric model, but it is only great for chicken owners who live in a sunny climate.
b) Opening Mechanism
The opening mechanism is a vital factor that affects the installation process and the safety of your chicken. If you have a short coop, it may be best to get a coop door that slides from side to side. On the other hand, a door that slides from top to bottom is ideal for a taller coop that will leave enough clearance for door movement.
Finally, understand if the automatic chicken coop door you are about to get uses a motor or gravity to close. The former is the safest to use since it will retract if your chicken is standing beneath the door, while the former uses less energy but can crush your chicken if it is trapped beneath the closing door.
c) Safety sensors
Even after you know if the automatic door uses a motor or gravity to open, sensors can add extra security for your chicken. So, regardless of the opening mechanism, look for a door that uses motion sensors to stop or retract if they sense motion while the door closes.
d) Door construction
The coop is often exposed to elements like rain, sunlight, snow, and more if you raise chickens in the backyard. So, it makes sense to want to invest in a durable door that can withstand extreme conditions and, thus, keep your flock safe.
You can choose between a wooden or metal door, although the latter provides better service since it is harder to break and comes with a protective lip, making it hard for predators to lift the door open.
e) Door size
Before you buy a door, understand its dimensions, including the clearance needed, to ensure compatibility with your chicken coop. So, consider the shape and size of your coop, then buy a door that will be easy to install with the provided mounting hardware.
f) Installation
The best automatic chicken coop doors are easy to install, and most only require fastening a few screws to a wooden or metal frame. But, any coop requires some flexibility during installation to guarantee the door will slide as required. So, when fastening the screws, leave room between the screw head and the frame to prevent door movement issues.
In addition, understand how many parts your kit will come with. Some packages come fully assembled, and you only need to fasten the screws into the frame, while others come in parts that need to be assembled to create your own door. If you go for the latter, confirm that you have all the pieces compatible with your chicken rig before attempting the installation.
g) Price
While automatic chicken coop doors will cost between $50 to $300, you will need to consider the price based on all the abovementioned factors. The power source, installation parts, sensors, construction, and size are significant factors that can drive the door's cost up.
Featured Image Credits: bestnestbox.com
