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Automatic Chicken Coop Door Conversion – Phase Two

October 4, 2011 By RDG

This is the second phase of the automatic chicken coop door conversion project. I installed an Add A Motor D20 chicken coop door motor into my existing coop. Click here to read about phase one.

I took pictures while retrofitting the automatic door into my chicken coop. See below for step by step installation procedure.

Step One – Remove Existing Chicken Door

The first thing to do is remove the old chicken door from the coop. The picture shows the entrance to the coop with no door.

Entrance to chicken coop without door.
The old chicken coop door has been removed.

Step Two – Install Door Stop

The second step is to install the door stop. The new chicken door will rest on the door stop when the motor lowers it into the closed position.

Door stop on inside of coop.
The door stop has been installed inside the chicken coop.

Step Three – Install The Door Cover And Rails

Next, install the door cover and rails. This assembly was built during phase one inside the work shop. Now it can be easily installed by securing it with screws to the chicken coop.

The picture shows the space constraints of dealing with an existing coop. There was no room in my coop for pre built solution.

Door cover and rails inside coop.
Secure the chicken door cover and door rails.

Step Four – Run Power To The Coop

Run an electrical extension cord or other power source to the chicken coop. The picture also shows a step that has been put in place to make it easy for the chickens to come and go.

Extension cord entering chicken coop.
Run an electrical extension cord to the coop.

Step Five – Install Chicken Door Motor, Power Supply And New Door

Next install the new chicken door in the closed position. Then install the motor on to the mounting bracket. Then install the power supply. I have used 17 gauge wire and a small piece of 2×2 to secure the power supply to the door cover. The power cables have been secured with zip ties.

Power supply, motor and door inside chicken coop.
Install power supply, motor and new door into chicken coop.

Step Six – Test The Automatic Chicken Door

Finally, it is time to test the automatic chicken door installation to make sure the door opens properly.

Automatic chicken door in open position.
Test the automatic chicken door to make sure it opens.

Related Pages

  • Automatic Chicken Door Conversion Phase One.
  • Raising chickens in the backyard page.
  • Chicken tractor page.
  • Chicken Coop 2.0.
  • Read more about the sealing washer.

Questions or Comments?

Please leave a reply below if you have any questions or comments.

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Filed Under: chickens Tagged With: automatic chicken coop door, backyard chickens, chicken coop, chickens

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