ChickenGuard ‘Premium’ Automatic Chicken Coop Pop Hole Door Opener & Closer with Timer & Light Sensor Plus Our Classic 30 x 40cm Aluminium Door & Oak Runner Kit

I read all the reviews and searched for similar products before ordering. $249 seemed steep for an aluminum plate, two wooden runners, and a simple motor that winds a spool of string, but the programmable features and ease of use (as well as a lack of suitable alternatives) makes it worth it.The good: install took me about half an hour all told. I pre-drilled and counter-sunk the runners to keep them from splitting. The instructions were fine and the controller was easily programmed just by following along. It can be set to Timer, Manual, or Lux (sensitivity to light) for raising and lowering. Since I mounted mine on the inside I set it for Timer. Worked perfectly every time. Not having to go outside and let them out in the morning or lock them up at night makes up for all the additional expense.The “could be better”: The runners are solid red oak, and I would have preferred something outdoor-rated to protect against the elements. I would suspect these might swell with humidity and precipitation, and that could impact the ease of opening/closing. I decided to mount ours on the inside of the coop since our existing door has been frozen shut before with a combination of ice and snow. I can’t imagine this door being reliable in those conditions. If your door is not protected from the elements and you live in a cold climate, I would give consideration to an inside-mount.All in all, I would buy again if we decide on a second coop. Eat the one-time expense and start sleeping in on the weekends. :)

$18 worth of Chickens and $1000 in housing and security but I have happy chickens 🐥. The automatic door works perfectly

This is one of the best purchases that I have ever made on Amazon! That is saying a lot, because I buy nearly EVERYTHING on Amazon. I bought this to care for our free range chickens, when we are at our other home (2 days per week). You see, our chicken flock have spent their entire lives 100% free range, where they have complete freedom to roam wherever they wish, without fences, cages or otherwise. There is a coop and run, but the previous owner of our farmstead left them opened. He had an anti-predator dog roaming the property. We do not have such a dog, but we want the chickens to be completely free range, so I ordered this door/opener. Our chickens, (all but two), wander into the coop and roost for the night, after they finish chickening for the day. The other two roost in a tree...not ideal in our area, but free range is free range, and they've lived several years like this, so who am I to question?I received the door and opener, and installed it onto our coop. Super simple instructions, and installation for me. I had an issue where the sensor mode did not work correctly in Lux+ mode, so I emailed Chicken Guard. They immediately sent me a replacement part, and did not require me to return the defective component. I have the unit set to close automatically when the light Lux level drops to 80 (or barring that, at 8:00 PM). The door closes perfectly on queue. I set it to open at 7:00 AM, which it does flawlessly. My chickens now have complete freedom. They can choose to wander the property, and come to the coop, or not, as they wish. This was not possible given our current situation, without the Chicken Guard.

I love it. Works well for my birds to keep them safe when they are most vulnerable - at night.1. My batteries that came with it were dead within 10 days. Must have been old batteries. Might as well throw new ones in there or risk the girls getting stuck.2. I recommend using the slats that come with the door. The metal door is sturdy and light weight. I was using it in my improvised slats and it would occasionally get jammed. When it jams the motor knows to freeze so it doesn't burn itself out. The slats give it zero wiggle room to mess up.3. If you have a lazy bird that chills out in the door at night the door won't hurt them. The most mischievous of my birds liked to lay in the door frame. The door still comes down all the way, but she thought nothing of the door on her back at full weight. Eventually she would get up and go into the coop.

Ok so I am not sure why people have issues with this. I would assume not taking time to correctly install it.I used teak oil and sealed the oak rails.Then installed one rail with a level and did not over tighten and torque it out of square.Then put the aluminum door in and the last rail. When installing the final rail leave some play between door and rail for expansion and or contraction. Put one screw in one end and use a level again.Now measure and find the center where you want to install the opener. Make sure the string is centered not the box. String is off center.Dont over or under torque railsUse a level.Use a tape measure.Install on flat surfaceWorks like a charm.

Check me a while to program the door I could not get it to open and shut on the timer or the sensor for the 1st 2 weeks so I am plugged it took the batteries out and started all over read the directions carefully and now it opens it 7:00 a.m. closes at 945 and is a godsend. Not having to wake up in the middle the night wondering if we close the chicken door or not is priceless and also not having to get somebody to stay at her house to open the door in the morning and closed at night so the raccoons don't kill them saves me a lot of grief. Only had it for a little while that so far so good this by far as one of the best things you could ever buy for yourself if you have chickens and want to have a life outside of opening and closing your co-op door my only suggestion is to read the directions carefully when your setting it up and you're good to go. My chickens used it the 1st time day and with no problems. I have it on the timer setting and case it's a cloudy day and I want to make sure all my chickens are in the co-op before closes I will probably change the time soon when Winter comes but for now I don't have to worry about anything super happy

I made a simple mistake of not checking my coop to see whether the guard could be easily installed.Had to adapt my coop front entrance for it to fit. But once installed it was the easiest product ever to programme.And to see it in action was fantastic.Does exactly what the manufacturer says it can do.Peace of mind knowing if it’s going to be a hot day the chickens will be let out at day break and if out for the evening knowing all I have to do is check when I get home none of the chickens have been left out.Best product I’ve bought to dateFollow onto to my previous reviewToday’s date 21-09-2020I have since built a bigger coop seeing as the chickens have outgrown their previous home.And the door guard has been attached onto their newer house and it is Still going strong. (New house is approx 12 months old)Not even changed the batteries yet.Same batteries for well over an year.I have two smaller coops which I have new additional chicks but at the present time can not afford a second door and hopefully the chicks will inter grate with the older hens and move in with them.I would definitely buy another If the purse strings weren’t so tightIt’s an amazing product and worth every penny.

Easy to install and, if need, to make some adaptation. I placed inside the chicken coop to avoid temptation from the walkers and is working as suppose to, like a Swiss clock! We are very pleased in deed!

Love this item . Door easy to fit and attach to the timer . Now my chickens get up at the same time every day and the door closes securely once all the chickens are in the coop .

Very good well made product. The aluminium door is good and runners are made from hardwood. A little bit tricky to adjust settings but overall a very good product

Not the cheapest but a great bit of kit, Very easy to install and work, makes life so much easier not having to get up at silly hours to let them out.