Auto Door Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener with Timer Mode, Late Comer Setting and LCD Screen Review (2026)

What this door opener is

This is an Amish-made automatic chicken coop door opener that runs on a timer, with a late comer setting and an LCD screen for programming, sold as the Auto Door brand's coop opener. According to the manufacturer, the door itself is aluminum, described as predator-proof and built for all-weather use, with a clean sliding action designed not to catch or stick as it moves. The frame is stated to be 33 by 12 by 3 inches, sized to fit over a roughly 10.5 inch wide by 12 inch tall opening, and the unit runs on 4 AA batteries rather than needing a wall outlet nearby. The motor carries a standard one year manufacturer's warranty.

Fit for daily chicken keeping

The late comer setting is a genuinely useful feature for keepers whose birds do not all return to roost at the same time, since it gives stragglers extra time before the door closes rather than shutting on a strict fixed schedule that could leave a slow hen outside. An LCD screen makes programming the timer clearer than some competing openers that rely on blinking lights or unmarked dials, which reduces the chance of setting the wrong open or close time by mistake. Running on 4 AA batteries means the unit can be installed on a coop without electrical wiring nearby, which suits many backyard setups where running power to the coop is impractical. The manufacturer states cord strength is rated at 120 pounds with a 6 pound motor lifting capacity, giving a sense of the mechanical margin built into the pull system.

Build, materials and installation

The door is described as heavy duty, predator-proof aluminum, a material chosen for its resistance to weather and its lighter weight compared to a solid metal door, which reduces strain on the motor while still standing up to a determined predator. The manufacturer states the frame is built from a composite material impervious to the elements, and lists an operating temperature range from negative 30 to positive 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which covers most US climates through both winter and summer extremes. Installation is described as minimal, with the motor concealed and no hanging wires or exposed parts once mounted, a detail that matters for keeping the mechanism protected from weather and curious birds.

Where it comes up short

This unit operates purely on a timer rather than a light sensor, so keepers need to manually adjust the open and close times as daylight hours shift through the seasons, unlike sunrise and sunset sensing openers that adjust automatically. Running on 4 AA batteries means periodic battery changes are part of ongoing maintenance, and keepers in very cold climates should budget for batteries draining faster in low temperatures, a common issue across battery powered outdoor devices generally. The frame size is also fixed at roughly 10.5 by 12 inches, so keepers with a nonstandard coop opening will need to check that measurement carefully or plan modifications before installing.

Who should buy it

This opener suits keepers who want a clear, easy to read LCD timer and appreciate the late comer grace period for birds that roost on their own schedule, and who prefer a battery powered unit over one requiring nearby electrical wiring. It is a solid fit for anyone comfortable manually nudging the timer as seasonal daylight shifts rather than paying for a light sensing model. Keepers who want the door to automatically track sunrise and sunset without manual adjustment, or who need a different frame size than the roughly 10.5 by 12 inch fit this unit is built for, should compare against a light sensor equipped opener or a model with adjustable frame dimensions instead.

Frequently asked questions