The solar panel doubles as a light sensor to trigger the circuit to open your door at dawn and close it at dusk. Therefore no programming is needed. Because the sunset and sunrise times change a little each day if you use a timer you will need to reprogram it several times a year. Also as a comparison, street lights use light sensors to turn them on and off, not timers.

There are buttons in the Ladies First Chicken Door opener that allows you to adjust the sensitivity of opening and closing the door. It will allow you to either close the door earlier and open later or close the door later and open earlier.

A full moon, lightning or a passing light will not make the door open. However any bright lights that shine directly on the solar panel will cause it to open. Like floodlights or security lights. Likewise a cloudy day will not cause the door to close.