Automatic Chicken Coop Door - Auto Closes Coop - Beta Version 1.0

Nifty-Chicken · Oct 25, 2008

Okay everyone, after years of talking about it, and finally coming up with a general plan, I've developed the Beta version of the auto coop door closer. If you had to buy the 3 main parts new (timer, actuator, AC adapter), they wouldn't cost you more than $15.

Here are the original plans for the automatic chicken coop door.

Here's the video of it in action (narrated by my very own 5 year old Alana)

Keep in mind, this is just a beta version for proof of concept! In the next versions I'll try to slow down the door decent, clean everything up, and put it on a better looking chicken coop!

I'll work on more details later, but right now I'm off to a Fall Harvest Festival at church. I'm happy to know I can set this thing and know my girls will be locked up safe when I get home!

UPDATE: Here are all the details and lots of pics of the design: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/auto-coop-door-prototype.php

hypnofrogstevie · Oct 25, 2008

Put a blade on the bottom and its a guilateen (SP?) for predators.

Nifty-Chicken · Oct 25, 2008

Here is the whole system. At the core it is actually pretty basic and simple.

I'll post more later!

MHF · Oct 25, 2008

I think she has a future in advertising:

And the door is cool also.

Nifty-Chicken · Oct 26, 2008

haha... thanks! In the first take she said, "...and we do not want any chickens in there!"

CUT!

I had my wife pick up this digital timer: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95205

It was on sale locally for $7.99. A bit more than the cheap ones, but I can enter the start and end time exactly and make it only a minute.

Faye · Oct 26, 2008

This is a great idea... small price to pay for "insurance".

donnaIL · Oct 27, 2008

I like this inexpesive plan... Have you figured out how to make it open in morning and then close at night?

Also how is the door locked when closed. Thanks, Donna

Nifty-Chicken · Oct 27, 2008

All details will hopefully come today (if I can get this BYC University shirt order finalized).

Adding the ability to open the door automatically will tripple (if not more) the difficulty and complexity of the system. I just need a system that will come in and guarantee a safe coop if we forget, or get home too late.

The door is secured by a pin that falls into place once the door drops. I'll post lots of pics once I get a chance.

sillybirds · Oct 27, 2008

Looking good. Simple and effective!

Peepthis541 · Oct 27, 2008

You know, what might be a good door design is a revolving door.

I don't know if chickens are smart enough to learn how to enter and exit something that is seemingly closed, or push through something.

But if you had a revolving door design, and then used something like a door lock actuator to lock the door in place at night, and then free it to turn in the morning, I think it would work.

What do you think?

Automatic Chicken Coop Door - Auto Closes Coop - Beta Version 1.0

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