$30 vs $200 Automatic Chicken Coop Door

Is a cheap $30 automatic chicken coop door opener better than a $200 opener? I've been asked a lot whether the Run Chicken door opener I installed is worth it, particularly because it is relatively expensive. When I got it, it was running about $160, but today with runaway inflation and supply chain issues, it's now priced at around $200.

Someone recently commented and said you could get one on eBay for about $30, and when I looked, while there were some obvious differences right away -- the logo was different or gone -- they otherwise looked identical. I decided to but one and test it to see if a cheap $30 opener would be a good alternative to the $200 Run Chicken model.

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[MadiSmiles]

I've lost 5 hens in the last two weeks.. I've been so heart broken. I've been searching for any type of resolution I can. Your video really helped me. And it gave me a few laughs, too. I really needed that. Thanks for being you. You rock.

[dadpop]

Been using the cheap one over 2 years, heres what I've learned.
1. Build a frame to mount the door on, then bench test it to make sure it goes up and down smoothly, if not put sims by the top screws between the outer plastic frame and the inner tops strip.
2. Once working screw that to your opening.
3. If the door is low enough, sometimes the chickens will scratch and throw dirt on it and it will stop working.
4. Some times shims will slip, or what ever and you might have to readjust it.
6. To make sure it opens and closes at the right time, I put a timer with a light in front of the sensors.
7. After 2 years the inside plastic gear that's on the main shaft has stripped, trying to epoxy it but I'm not sure if it will stay.

All in all, the cheap one will work pretty consistently, but you have to keep and eye on it. Definitely worth the money, and a much better deal than $200. I think I paid $15-$20 for mine and I could buy 10 to 15 for $200, which would last me 20 to 30 years. I dont' think the $200 one will last me that long.

[chriswtburke]

thanks for the coupon, just ordered my run chicken... I too ordered the cheapo $30 one to give it a try.. its not great.. seems to work for a couple days (after hours of fine tuning and shims) but then within a few days, it slips and has to be pulled apart again... while it was working though, it spoiled me.. and I must have a working auto door now!! Can't wait for it to arrive!

[jackhutchins]

have you tried to rotate the door, it may be in backwards. it looks like one side has a track on it and the other side doesn't

[teammangcanada]

the way you installed is not right sir.

[thepatriotsitler]

I'm quite confident this is user error. I have the same door and it works great.

[dayride]

As someone who has raised many orphaned raccoons and has chickens I laughed when you asked if a raccoon could open that cheap door! A raccoon could destroy that door in less than 3 minutes without any problem! No flimsy plastic will stop them and better plastic would only delay them! Mine disassembled my automatic horse waterer for a pool party. It took us "smart humans" several attempts before we came up with a "solution". That solution lasted a year, but one figured it out again the other day so we're still being forced to come up with another plan! There will always be raccoons here. When I move them out, more fill their spot. Plus, I love the raccoons even though some can be a real pain sometimes.

[sotired]

I brought the cheap one and it opens really well and goes right up the way you installed the cheap one is installed under the wire the $$$ one is installed how I did the cheap one but my cheap one is good.

[lennylhchen]

Cheap one closes too early. The solution to that is add a solar path light, then it closes later when the solar light went off.

[Ewolk]

The door is on backward. The raised track should go toward the gear! The track in the back is flat! The track in the showing front is raised which would put the track closer to the gear teeth...

[ThePOOKIE]

THANK YOU!!!!
Being on a tight budget I of course was looking to buy the cheaper one.... but when I learned that the other one has a metal door I was sold. I have predators every night on my

[TheChickenTender]

The only chicken coop door I've ever needed to use is the Hen Hut Automatic door. It was pretty cheap, only 65 dollars, but it is metal and has been very reliable as well as simple to setup. The shipping took a while, but it is what I recommend to all my buddies who own chickens.

[vanmann]

Just installed our new Run Chicken opener today. Seems very well made. I hope we’re happy with it. Thanks for your video.

[TheWickerShireProject]

2 pieces of thin foam sticky tape on the mounting board creates pressure ( smooth side ) on the plastic door against the Gear. Fixed. Again, place sticky tape on the wood on each side where the gear track will be. The tape is now on the wood. Now install the unit against that tapes smooth side. The pressure pushing back toward the door should seal the track tight against the gear.

[natsofatso]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video

[chriswtburke]

mine seems to be working fine.. you've got to make sure its just tight enough... too tight and it won't move, too loose and the gears just spin.

[davidellis]

Cant trust a guy who mix and matches batteries ;)

[wafflezoot]

Cheap one has been working fine for me, mine is under a roof so water not an issue, and after the first few nights, no chickens locked out. (they learned when to go in..) I did have to adjust the tension on the door a bit at first.

[philip]

Can the door be flipped over? It looks like the raised part should be toward the gear.

[williamparker]

Wish I would have saw this video before I bought a cheap one. Your cheap on does better than mine.