The Automatic Door Opener for Nestera recycled plastic chicken coops are powered by 4 x AA batteries (not included).

The warning light works on a voltage basis and therefore won’t give a false reading. Check the batteries you’re using are new and fully charged.

Don’t worry, this is normal. To preserve battery life, the LCD display is designed to enter ‘sleep mode’ after a period of inactivity. You can ‘wake’ it again by pressing the Menu button.

Please ensure all 4 x AA batteries are new and inserted correctly, and that the battery cable wire is not being pinched between the lid and the box. It’s also worth checking that any connector cables haven’t been accidentally loosened while fitting the unit. If these steps don’t offer a solution, drop us a line at support@nestera.eco and we’ll have you up and running again in no time.

Automatic door units are an absolute godsend in making our lives easier and offering the optimum protection for our flocks. In the Winter the higher moisture levels caused by damp weather can mean they don’t always operate reliably. Here’s our top tips for managing your auto doors in winter:

Awareness – Every brand of automatic door unit seems to have the occasional issue with the unit or the door itself. While these products aid us, they are not infallible so always check that they have let your birds out in the morning and safely closed them away at dusk.

Batteries – Very cold weather can drain batteries much quicker than normal. Watch out for the low-power light which would indicate they need changing as soon as possible.

Bedding – We all tend to use extra bedding in our coops in winter but clear the door runner regularly so the path of the door is unheeded.

Pivot – The doors on the classic Nestera range use a pizza slice-shaped door hung from a single pivot point. Ensure the bolt and nut suspending it is not too tight so it can swing freely.

Moisture – With extra moisture in the atmosphere and longer nights, the humidity in the coop can quickly build. Overnight, this can cause the door to freeze shut. Open the vents fully and clean out the coop more often to ensure the substrate is dry and clean. This will also help with your chickens' respiratory health and vent toxic ammonia from their poop.

The light sensor is designed to activate the coop door over a gradual light change. This ensures the door isn’t opened automatically in a lightning storm or in car headlights, for example. The sensor takes an average light reading every three minutes to account for this. Please note, if your automatic door opener is positioned near a floodlight or streetlight, this may affect the light sensor. It is best to position your coop away from ambient lighting.

The cord provided with the unit is 4.9ft long. Please bear in mind that this includes a small length that needs to remain wound around the spindle inside the unit.

No, this needs to be done manually on the settings. Don't worry, it only takes a moment.

Nestera Automatic Door Openers are housed in a weatherproof casing, and are remarkably well made and very reliable. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong with your unit, it comes with a 3-year warranty for your peace of mind.