Would an automatic opener work for a coop ramp?

We have this chicken coop: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/cedar-chicken-coop-with-planter/?pkey=e%7Ccoop%7C5%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH



We don't confine the hens to the run but are going to temporarily be in a situation where we won't be able to go open/close the run every single morning/evening. I just ordered an electric fence to put around the coop (164' long), so the coop can be far from the edge of the fence if we place it near the center.

Do you think our chickens will be safe with the run door cracked open and the ramp down? (I'm guessing not.)

I'm wondering if an automatic door opener would work to pull the ramp up. If you look at the photo, you can see the rope to pull up the ramp comes through the side of the coop above the egg door.  Does anyone have experience with something like this?

Thanks!!

You could easily add an automatic door from the run area to the outside. The brand I have is "pullet shut". I've had it a solid year with no complaints. I can't express how this has eased up the letting in and out on a daily basis.  It just happens.

Mine have full access to yard during day.I'm not sure why electric fence is needed. Are there dogs, or other daytime threats available in your yard area.

Night time has been my only concern.

Here's a pic of mine. It shows door and solar charger for it.

Do you need to train the chickens to come to the coop befors the door automatically closes so they don't get locked outside?

wayne fajkus wrote:Mine have full access to yard during day.I'm not sure why electric fence is needed. Are there dogs, or other daytime threats available in your yard area.

Night time has been my only concern.

Sorry such a late reply. I missed the notifications that anyone had responded! Yes there are definitely dogs and fox and possibly other things we don't know about yet.

The chickens have been in their coop for almost a year and always go to it, we just moved to a new place. While we weren't living on the land I ended up keeping them in the small run under the coop except when we came to visit. I felt a little badly for them being in a small area but better than being eaten!

Not all chicken go in at night. Some roost on trees which is safe enough in most cases. If you have places suitable to roosting they will probably do this.