Automatic coop door installation in Exeter
Professional automatic coop door installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-160
Typical Duration
2-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Automatic chicken coop doors installed - light-sensor or timer controlled closing keeps your birds safe at night without you having to remember. Retrofitted to existing coops or fitted to new builds.
Stop Worrying About Forgetting To Shut Chickens In
If you've ever forgotten to close the coop and lost birds to foxes, or you're sick of having to be home before dusk every single day, auto coop doors are a game-changer. Set it up once, it works every night, chickens are safely locked in before predators arrive.
💡 Pro tip: Light-sensor doors are brilliant - they automatically adjust to changing daylight hours through the seasons. Your chickens get locked in at dusk whether it's June or December, without you touching anything.
Manual Closing vs Automatic Door
| ✅ Automatic Door | ❌ Manual Routine |
|---|---|
| Closes at dusk automatically | Have to remember every single night |
| Works even when you're away | Can't go anywhere overnight |
| Light sensor adapts to seasons | Timer needs constant adjustment |
| Never forgets | One forgotten night = dead chickens |
| Foxes can't open it | Manual latches can be manipulated |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check your pop hole and decide on best auto door kit |
| Fit bracket | Mount the motor housing to coop |
| Install door | Fit auto door or adapt existing |
| Wire | Connect power (battery or mains) |
| Program | Set light sensor or timer settings |
| Test | Run through several open/close cycles |
| Adjust | Fine-tune for smooth operation |
📦 You're Left With
- Door that closes automatically at dusk
- Chickens safely locked in every night
- Freedom to be away without worry
- System that works year-round
Pricing Guide
| Installation Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Basic battery unit fitted | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Light-sensor or complex install | 2.5 hrs | £135 |
| Mains wired or custom setup | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Add cost of auto door kit itself (£80-200 depending on model) if I'm supplying it. You're welcome to buy your own kit and I'll fit it.
Essential For Devon Chicken Keepers If...
✅ Foxes in your area - rural Devon has plenty, auto doors give peace of mind
✅ Work irregular hours - not always home at dusk to shut chickens in
✅ Go away occasionally - someone can feed but not open/close coop
✅ Had losses before - one fox attack is enough, prevent it happening again
Why Choose Us for Automatic coop door installation in Exeter?
Chickens locked in safely at dusk automatically
No more forgetting to shut the coop
Light-sensor adapts to changing seasons
Mains or battery powered options
What to Expect
Step 1: Choose System
I'll look at your coop and advise on which auto door system suits best - battery or mains, light sensor or timer, what size door. You buy the kit or I can supply it.
Step 2: Installation
Fit the motor housing and door mechanism to your pop hole. This sometimes means modifying the pop hole opening slightly for best fit. Connect power source, whether that's batteries, mains, or solar.
Step 3: Setup And Test
Program the settings (light sensitivity or timer), then test it through several cycles. Adjust until it opens and closes smoothly and reliably. Show you how to override it manually if needed.
🔧 DIY Tips
Auto door installation is fairly DIY-friendly if you're handy:
🔧 What you'll need
- Auto door kit (research first - quality varies hugely)
- Drill and appropriate bits
- Screwdriver
- Spirit level
- Wire cutters/strippers if wiring
- Batteries or power supply
- Measuring tape
🔨 Installation basics
- Read instructions fully before starting (they vary by manufacturer)
- Measure pop hole opening - door needs to fit or be adapted
- Mount motor housing securely to coop - it carries weight
- Ensure door runs straight up and down, not binding
- Position sensor (if light-based) where it actually sees light levels properly
- Test extensively before trusting it - run it 10+ times
- Check chickens can actually use it - some are initially suspicious
📐 Getting it right
- Door must close flush to opening - gaps = foxes get in
- Motor needs to be protected from weather
- Battery compartment accessible for changing batteries
- Cable runs protected from pecking/damage
- Light sensor positioned away from yard lights or it won't close
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Cheap units that fail within months - false economy
- Door binding or sticking - doesn't close properly
- Light sensor where security light triggers it
- Not testing thoroughly before relying on it
- Batteries not changed when low - door fails open or closed
💡 Pro trick: Run the auto door for a week while still manually closing it yourself as backup - watch how it performs, when it actually closes/opens, if chickens adapt to it. Once you trust it's working reliably, then stop manually closing.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🦊 Fox behavior: Foxes typically hunt at dawn and dusk. Auto doors that close as light fades protect chickens through the danger period. Even if you're home, auto doors mean no forgetting on that one busy night when disaster strikes.
Light sensor positioning: Needs to actually reflect your yard's light levels, not be triggered by streetlights or security lights. Often means positioning it to see the sky but not artificial lights.
Battery life: Typically 6-12 months on good batteries. Set a phone reminder to check/change them rather than waiting for the low battery warning (which you might miss).
Manual override: All good auto doors have manual override - you can still open/close by hand if needed. Essential for when you want to keep chickens in or let them out outside normal times.
Winter vs summer: Light sensors handle seasonal changes automatically. Timers need adjusting as days lengthen or shorten - bit of a faff but manageable if you remember.
Chicken behavior: Some chickens are wary of auto doors initially - they're not used to them moving. Usually adapt within days. A few stubborn birds need shepherding in the first few nights until they learn the routine.
Maintenance: Occasional clean and check mechanisms aren't jammed with dirt/bedding. Lubricate moving parts if instructions recommend it. Test regularly rather than assuming it's working.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do automatic coop doors actually work?
Either light-sensor or timer based. Light-sensor ones close when it gets dark (better option - adapts to changing daylight hours). Timer-based close at set times you program. Motor lifts and lowers a door on the pop hole. Most run on batteries or mains power, some have solar panel options.
Will it work on my existing coop?
Usually yes - most can be retrofitted to existing pop holes. I either replace your existing pop hole door or fit the auto opener to it, depending on the system and your setup. Occasionally coops need modification if the opening isn't standard, but that's rare.
What happens if the power fails or batteries die?
Door stays wherever it was when power failed - usually open during day or closed at night. Battery-powered ones warn you when batteries are low (flashing light usually). Solar/rechargeable ones have backup batteries. I always recommend checking the system works periodically rather than assuming it's fine.
Can foxes still open it?
No - when closed, automatic doors lock shut. Foxes can't lift or pry them open like they sometimes can with manual latches. That's half the point - secure closing every night even if you forget or aren't home. Much safer than relying on remembering to shut chickens in.
Light sensor or timer - which is better?
Light sensors are better in my opinion - they automatically adjust as days get longer or shorter through the year. Timers need you to keep adjusting them or your chickens get locked out/in at wrong times. Light sensors cost a bit more but they're fit-and-forget.
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