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XL automatic coop doors and a discussion of types

 
pollinator
Posts: 239
Location: North Central Kentucky
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In planning my tow-behind trailer chicken tractor, an automatic coop door in addition to electric netting is going to be crucial for its success.  While I initially intend to keep only chickens and guineas (we will see if the guineas decide to live in the coop or go semi-feral), long term I would like to also add a few turkeys and potentially a guard goose.  

Having a coop that will work for all of them reduces inputs in regards to time and equipment.  I understand that there are 4 main types of automatic coop doors, the hinged type that open the way a cabinet or house door might, the guillotine style operated with a string and occasionally pulleys, the guillotine style operated with a gear, and the slide closing type that seem similar to a sliding glass door (I believe the one I'm thinking of uses an actuator of some sort to open and close).  Of these, some are available in XL sizes to accommodate larger birds, but not all of them.  I'd love to discuss not only the different types and the potential drawbacks/benefits of each, but also how that relates to larger door sizes, potential for jamming, and how easy they are for crafty creatures to break into.


Pullet shut door shown


Brinsea chicksafe eco shown


Ador1 shown


Omlet universal chicken door shown



 
pollinator
Posts: 554
Location: Northwest Missouri
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Big fan of my Chicken Guard Premium. It handles a 2.2 lb door, but the next model up (Extreme) handles an 8 lb door.
Batteries last forever, easy to program with lots of options, and my door has never bound up in any way. I have a wooden door sliding up and down in channel aluminum, just had to protect it from ice. I feel like my coop is Fort Knox at night when it's closed.
 
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