@@thehomesteadengineer-1 the wheel didn't grab the notches. $40 down the drain. I'm glad to see your video now. I'll try and find one on a reseller website.
Nice review! I also did a comparison of a cheap knock-off brand and the Run-Chicken model. The quality, fit, and finish between them are like night and day. I also thought the front-accessible battery compartment was a nice feature on the cheaper one, but after using it for a month or two I realized the rear-access is better because it makes it harder for rain and snow to get in. On the cheap one, my batteries died after just a couple of months and when I opened the compartment, it was all rusted. Also, you did a great comparison on the motors of the two models. It's clear why after 2+ years I'm still using the original batteries that came with my Run-Chicken door. I now have 2 Run-Chicken doors and I sleep well at night knowing the chickens are safe in their coop.
Thank you! Totally agree. I hear so many people with the same story. I’m trying to warn people that saving $50 on the cheaper one is really going to cost them $100 when they throw it away and buy the Run-Chicken door.
It’s a little of both. I have naturally deeper eyes and when I don’t get great sleep they get dark circles really easily. Plus when the lighting is at my back or directly overhead it makes it look worse than it is.
I heard you mention an app for it. I have one that I installed yesterday 8/16/24 and the light sensor isn't working. It would be great to open it with a remote or by phone as our coop is about 250 yards from the house. What is the app you mentioned? Thank you
If your light sensor isn’t working you need to send it back. It should come working correctly out of the box. It’s possible to program it without the light sensor but it’s a pain. The app is also kind of clunky, and uses the light sensor to program the door. There is no WiFi or Bluetooth so it can’t be opened remotely. Check out their tutorial video here: th-cam.com/video/Tx7I-1FhTuU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=oLfTTSnODdtMTD_I A link to their app can be found on their website: run-chicken.com I think I’m going to make a one year review video today and go over some of these shortcomings of the door. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi, I bought the Chicken Run like 4 months ago. This morning the door was closed (it is set by timings). Can it be that batteries needs to be changed already? Is it because screws are too tight like in your video comment? I did not saw a red light.... Thx for feedback. ps: great video !
If the batteries need to be changed already then you overtightened the screws. Back them off a half turn and it should be better. I haven’t replaced my batteries yet and it has been 5 months. They should last a year. When you manually push the button does it open?
Good question! I’ve actually grown to trust it. I didn’t trust the cheap knock off door. There wasn’t a point in having it because it was so unreliable. The run chicken is actually really reliable. I made this video shortly after purchasing it and still didn’t trust it. A year later now, and I rarely check it. I just works. I have a security camera so when I want to check it I can, but I still don’t have to go outside.
Run-Chicken is good, but they are overpriced. I bought my door for 65 dollars from the Hen Hut, and I have been impressed with the quality and reliability. I would definetly recommend The Hen Hut to people looking for an affordable and quality automatic door.
I thought the same thing. I originally bought a door that was almost half the price. I had many problems with it not closing at night for one reason or another. I decided that if failed once and a fox got in a killed even a couple of chickens it wouldn’t be worth the cheaper door. Respectfully, the reliability is worth every penny I spent.
@@thehomesteadengineer-1 So far it has worked well for a few months and it feels much higher quality than previous ones I had bought for 20 dollars, but I will make sure to keep an eye out for any issues it may have.
I had the same experience. After about three months it started glitching. The batteries only lasted about 2 months. I had a security camera and I checked the door every night. By the end of the year it was 50/50 on whether or not it would close properly. Just keep a close eye on it. That’s all. Good luck!
Exactly. I’m not sure what else they can do. It can’t just keep trying to close because it will wear the battery out. It needs to alert you but the only way to do that is WiFi.
How dangerous are stray cats to the chickens? Can they kill them? The only predators I have in my area are stary cats and a lot of them 10+ come to my yard, and coyotes but they dont jump the fence.
I have lots of stray cats as well and have never had them even attempt to hurt the chickens. I do have a rooster, and honestly I think that rooster would do more damage to the cat then the cat could do to it. I wouldn’t worry about the cats at all, as long as the chickens are full grown. My own cat actually spends a lot of time with the chickens and they seem to like each other.
I have a neighbour who has Siamese cat that always stalks my hens. Can’t say for certain but I believe it was responsible for killing one of my hens . I know what a raccoon kill looks like and this wasn’t a raccoon kill. Nor weasel. More like a thrill kill and scoot out.
I’m not sure where you get $300? It’s on sale for $109USD right now and if you use my link you get an additional 15% off. 15% off Run-Chicken Automatic Door: run-chickencom.refr.cc/thehomesteadengineer
I free range my chickens. I only have a run in case I need to contain them for a short time. My run is to keep the chickens in, not to keep predators out.
@@thehomesteadengineer-1with all due respect if you’re preventing your chickens from leaving an enclosure yet allowing predators access that’s setting them up for a kill. Similar to shooting fish in a barrel. IMO if you’re going to the trouble to create a run they can’t escape it’s equally as important to fortify the enclosure enough to keep predators out. I maintain a similar setup and allow my flock full access to the property but my lot and coop are fortified so as to prevent any predators access.
I don’t know about that, but if your coop is that sealed up I would be concerned about proper ventilation and them breathing the ammonia from their waste.
Those knock off brands are not good. I had one and it nearly got my chickens killed. Run chicken isn’t giving me anything. I bought that with my own money.
I guess it depends on what you mean by sponsored. Run-Chicken has no idea I exist. I signed up for their affiliate link program. I get a commish from people who use my link, but they don’t pay me anything upfront to sell their product. I explain it in this quick video here: 60% Cheaper than Amazon! Direct is WAY CHEAPER! #RunChickenDoor th-cam.com/video/m4Yjj-gpfCI/w-d-xo.html
This is the worst automatic door on the market. Their support is criminal. Save your money. Or be ready to buy a new one inside a year. There are much better options with superior support.
@@thehomesteadengineer-1 We installed the door ruffly April 2023 then changed the batteries around the end of October, not because they needed to be, but it was recommended before winter. Batteries died in January, then again a couple weeks later then a week later then it stopped all together. Never was any debris in the track or anything stopping the door (besides the odd chicken! ) It worked flawless until it stopped working. Support is disrespectful , automated, call center, and just down right criminal. We are also now finding out that they pay people to give positive reviews! unreal. Thanks for asking tho and we wish you the best.
@Heatrsin most companies are doing that these days. It’s morally wrong, but it’s happening across the board. I can’t help you get a new one, but maybe it was the way you installed it. If you tighten the screws down it will restrict the door and reduce the battery life significantly. It’s a major design flaw and I plan on making a video about it soon. If you watch my video closely at the end you’ll see the install screws are a little loose. If that’s not the problem then I’m not sure what to tell you. I’ll take your comments into account when I do my year long review. It’s been over a year but I haven’t had a chance to do it yet. I’m still happy with mine.
I bought a cheap plastic one and it was a complete waste of money
Yeah, I pretty much did the same thing. Sorry, you didn't see this video first.
@@thehomesteadengineer-1 the wheel didn't grab the notches. $40 down the drain. I'm glad to see your video now. I'll try and find one on a reseller website.
Nice review! I also did a comparison of a cheap knock-off brand and the Run-Chicken model. The quality, fit, and finish between them are like night and day. I also thought the front-accessible battery compartment was a nice feature on the cheaper one, but after using it for a month or two I realized the rear-access is better because it makes it harder for rain and snow to get in. On the cheap one, my batteries died after just a couple of months and when I opened the compartment, it was all rusted. Also, you did a great comparison on the motors of the two models. It's clear why after 2+ years I'm still using the original batteries that came with my Run-Chicken door. I now have 2 Run-Chicken doors and I sleep well at night knowing the chickens are safe in their coop.
Thank you! Totally agree. I hear so many people with the same story. I’m trying to warn people that saving $50 on the cheaper one is really going to cost them $100 when they throw it away and buy the Run-Chicken door.
Thank you for mentioning the flood light thing! I have a motion light as well and that was my biggest concern.
Glad I could help
Love the red colour to the door blends better to your coop
Agreed!
Do you have black eyes or is that the lighting?
It’s a little of both. I have naturally deeper eyes and when I don’t get great sleep they get dark circles really easily. Plus when the lighting is at my back or directly overhead it makes it look worse than it is.
I heard you mention an app for it. I have one that I installed yesterday 8/16/24 and the light sensor isn't working. It would be great to open it with a remote or by phone as our coop is about 250 yards from the house. What is the app you mentioned? Thank you
If your light sensor isn’t working you need to send it back. It should come working correctly out of the box. It’s possible to program it without the light sensor but it’s a pain. The app is also kind of clunky, and uses the light sensor to program the door. There is no WiFi or Bluetooth so it can’t be opened remotely.
Check out their tutorial video here:
th-cam.com/video/Tx7I-1FhTuU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=oLfTTSnODdtMTD_I
A link to their app can be found on their website: run-chicken.com
I think I’m going to make a one year review video today and go over some of these shortcomings of the door. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi, I bought the Chicken Run like 4 months ago. This morning the door was closed (it is set by timings). Can it be that batteries needs to be changed already? Is it because screws are too tight like in your video comment? I did not saw a red light.... Thx for feedback. ps: great video !
If the batteries need to be changed already then you overtightened the screws. Back them off a half turn and it should be better. I haven’t replaced my batteries yet and it has been 5 months. They should last a year. When you manually push the button does it open?
Any luck?
@vincianeprudhomme9211 any luck ?
what's the point of spending all this money on it if you have to reset it manually and check everytime to see if it closed or not?
Good question! I’ve actually grown to trust it. I didn’t trust the cheap knock off door. There wasn’t a point in having it because it was so unreliable. The run chicken is actually really reliable. I made this video shortly after purchasing it and still didn’t trust it. A year later now, and I rarely check it. I just works. I have a security camera so when I want to check it I can, but I still don’t have to go outside.
Run-Chicken is good, but they are overpriced. I bought my door for 65 dollars from the Hen Hut, and I have been impressed with the quality and reliability. I would definetly recommend The Hen Hut to people looking for an affordable and quality automatic door.
I thought the same thing. I originally bought a door that was almost half the price. I had many problems with it not closing at night for one reason or another. I decided that if failed once and a fox got in a killed even a couple of chickens it wouldn’t be worth the cheaper door. Respectfully, the reliability is worth every penny I spent.
@@thehomesteadengineer-1 So far it has worked well for a few months and it feels much higher quality than previous ones I had bought for 20 dollars, but I will make sure to keep an eye out for any issues it may have.
I had the same experience. After about three months it started glitching. The batteries only lasted about 2 months. I had a security camera and I checked the door every night. By the end of the year it was 50/50 on whether or not it would close properly. Just keep a close eye on it. That’s all. Good luck!
So if chiken is in the door way u have to go to it and reset it. Mmm think that needs a bit more thinking about.
Exactly. I’m not sure what else they can do. It can’t just keep trying to close because it will wear the battery out. It needs to alert you but the only way to do that is WiFi.
@thehomesteadengineer-1 found a similar product. It has an infered sencer. When the chicken moves out the way the door continues to close.
Right, but what if the chicken doesn’t move? Check out my latest video
@parrot340
Please Fix This! | Taking Apart Run-Chicken Door after 1.5 years
th-cam.com/video/HshkthlCXBw/w-d-xo.html
How dangerous are stray cats to the chickens? Can they kill them? The only predators I have in my area are stary cats and a lot of them 10+ come to my yard, and coyotes but they dont jump the fence.
I have lots of stray cats as well and have never had them even attempt to hurt the chickens. I do have a rooster, and honestly I think that rooster would do more damage to the cat then the cat could do to it. I wouldn’t worry about the cats at all, as long as the chickens are full grown. My own cat actually spends a lot of time with the chickens and they seem to like each other.
@@thehomesteadengineer-1 Thanks! Good to know! Im planning to get few chickens next year.
Get a rooster if you can
I have a neighbour who has Siamese cat that always stalks my hens. Can’t say for certain but I believe it was responsible for killing one of my hens . I know what a raccoon kill looks like and this wasn’t a raccoon kill. Nor weasel. More like a thrill kill and scoot out.
FYI, I used your discount code but only got 10% off. Bought it anyway.
Hmmm, they just have updated their discount. I’ll look into it and change my stuff
Thats almost 300$ I could just buy more chickens for cheaper lol but it is a really great door if you have the funds for it :)
I’m not sure where you get $300? It’s on sale for $109USD right now and if you use my link you get an additional 15% off.
15% off Run-Chicken Automatic Door:
run-chickencom.refr.cc/thehomesteadengineer
I love how there's a chinese bot on this page commenting negative stuff.
That’s how you know you’ve made it as a TH-camr. lol!
Chicken Guard All In One is much better and longer battery life
Longer than a year?
Step 1. is having a run predators can't access.
I free range my chickens. I only have a run in case I need to contain them for a short time. My run is to keep the chickens in, not to keep predators out.
@@thehomesteadengineer-1with all due respect if you’re preventing your chickens from leaving an enclosure yet allowing predators access that’s setting them up for a kill. Similar to shooting fish in a barrel. IMO if you’re going to the trouble to create a run they can’t escape it’s equally as important to fortify the enclosure enough to keep predators out. I maintain a similar setup and allow my flock full access to the property but my lot and coop are fortified so as to prevent any predators access.
I had a 5' tall fence around the perimeter, but raccoons can climb much better than I imagined. It's not enough.
@backtoasimplelife electric fencing is the way to go.
With all the holes in the door, this is only suitable for climates that don't get too cold.
I don’t know about that, but if your coop is that sealed up I would be concerned about proper ventilation and them breathing the ammonia from their waste.
I use Fuzzy Bird's automatic chicken door much better than Run Chicken. How much does Run Chicken give you to make this video?
Those knock off brands are not good. I had one and it nearly got my chickens killed. Run chicken isn’t giving me anything. I bought that with my own money.
Okay, chinese bot.
Not sponsored ...
I guess it depends on what you mean by sponsored. Run-Chicken has no idea I exist. I signed up for their affiliate link program. I get a commish from people who use my link, but they don’t pay me anything upfront to sell their product. I explain it in this quick video here:
60% Cheaper than Amazon! Direct is WAY CHEAPER! #RunChickenDoor
th-cam.com/video/m4Yjj-gpfCI/w-d-xo.html
Nice dude
Thanks?
Probably not going to read😂😂😂
I did end up reading it, but they are generally useless. LoL!
This is the worst automatic door on the market. Their support is criminal. Save your money. Or be ready to buy a new one inside a year. There are much better options with superior support.
Which door do you use?
@@thehomesteadengineer-1 T50. Worked perfect until it stopped working. The support is criminal.
@Heatrsin that’s a bummer. Any idea why it stopped working? Does it just not move any more?
@@thehomesteadengineer-1 We installed the door ruffly April 2023 then changed the batteries around the end of October, not because they needed to be, but it was recommended before winter. Batteries died in January, then again a couple weeks later then a week later then it stopped all together. Never was any debris in the track or anything stopping the door (besides the odd chicken! ) It worked flawless until it stopped working. Support is disrespectful , automated, call center, and just down right criminal. We are also now finding out that they pay people to give positive reviews! unreal. Thanks for asking tho and we wish you the best.
@Heatrsin most companies are doing that these days. It’s morally wrong, but it’s happening across the board. I can’t help you get a new one, but maybe it was the way you installed it. If you tighten the screws down it will restrict the door and reduce the battery life significantly. It’s a major design flaw and I plan on making a video about it soon. If you watch my video closely at the end you’ll see the install screws are a little loose. If that’s not the problem then I’m not sure what to tell you. I’ll take your comments into account when I do my year long review. It’s been over a year but I haven’t had a chance to do it yet. I’m still happy with mine.
I use Fuzzy Bird's automatic chicken door much better than Run Chicken. How much does Run Chicken give you to make this video?
I’m a tiny channel. Run chicken doesn’t even know I exist.
@@thehomesteadengineer-1the original commenter is fuzzy-bird….