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Same here sallyinindiana. Looking forward to cluckacres homemade one!

Me too! I'm pretty hang, however, I'm not sure what kind of motor I need that's auto reversing and has limits that I can set. If only they made miniature garage door openers lol

Yes - there are motors out there to make your own - and a lot of innovative ways people have made them too! Worth doing a google check! And you can get the auto reversing ones too.

When I was shopping the cheapest one I could find was $79.

I also saw folks that DID use openers that were like garage door openers. You have to be careful, though, that they aren't going to hurt the chickens. Someone I read was concerned about the garage door type for that reason but it's been awhile since I looked for them and I don't remember all the issues they brought up.

Here are a few of the ones I looked at. Some of these motors are more expensive now than when I originally saw them.


http://www.buildeazy.com/photo-chicken-coop-beatarticle.html

http://www.discounthomeautomation.com/Add-A-Motor-Chicken-Coop-Motor-AD20

http://www.add-a-motor.com/Model D20 Motor for Chicken Coop Doors.htm

Leahs Mom said:

Here are a few of the ones I looked at. Some of these motors are more expensive now than when I originally saw them.


http://www.buildeazy.com/photo-chicken-coop-beatarticle.html

http://www.discounthomeautomation.com/Add-A-Motor-Chicken-Coop-Motor-AD20

http://www.add-a-motor.com/Model D20 Motor for Chicken Coop Doors.htm

Click to expand...

I had something like the second link in mind but I found a super expensive but fancy one on google search.
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/auto_door_controller.html

While I like the fancy one, it is not in the budget and we already have the 16 hour light in the coop. Although the led light would take up less space.

There are also light sensors that you can use instead of timers. I prefer the timers for several reasons myself, but you CAN get a light sensor if you prefer:

Scroll down to the bottom of this page...a photo sensor for $15.

http://www.chickendoors.com/products.htm

Ok for all you that have been waiting to know what I use for my AUTOMATIC CHICKEN COOP DOOR. Mine is cheap and simple and very safe! I use WATER! Ok you are like WATER??? Yes WATER!! I will add a few pics (that are not very good quality). Ok here it goes. My materials are 4inch thin walled sewer pipe (new),4 inch caps for pipe, pvc pipe glue,pulleys, eye bolt, male fittings, water fountain hose, 5 gallon bucket, 75gph (or higher) water fountain pump, submersible water heater, string, and wood and timer. I know I know long list. HAHA If your temps outside get below freezing then you can substitute water for wind shield fluid (that does'nt freeze). IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PM ME!!!! I BUILT THIS FOR LESS THAN UNDER $50 ( I already had a few things. I hope you enjoy my automatic door. I always try to reuse things I have laying around and least expensive way.

Now i will tell you how to put it all together with the pictures below.

Ok here is the tube. You will have to drill holes into the tube for male fitting and eye bolt before putting it all together so you can put the nuts on the fittings and bolt. After you have all your fitting in then use the pvc glue and glue on your caps.


Now for your bucket. Drill 3 holes into lid. Run water feed hose into bucket and put it on pump. Take your overfill hose and let it just hang into bucket. Place your heater down into bucket. Run those cords up threw your 3rd hole. Plug you heater into a source of power that is always on. Plug you pump into timer. Set your timer to your desired times for door to open and close.



In this pic I used pulleys I had laying around. Put your first pulley straight above where your tube will be hanging. Take your string you have tied to the tube and run it through your first pulley. Hang your 2nd pulley straight above your door. I hung mine down farther than my second one.


In this pic shows the door. I cut down two 2x2's screwed them to wall. Then cut down two 1x4 and screw them to the 2x2's. Make sure to leave the over hang on the inside. Outsides should be flush. Then cut a square board how over big you want it. Mine is like 1ft by 1ft. Make sure it weighs more than your tube when its EMPTY! Slide it down in between the frame you just made for the door. Screw another eye bolt into top of door board.After its all put together figure out high you want your door to go and then screw a block on to wall as a stopper. Mine is only like a foot high. Now you need to figure out the proper length for your string. Pull your tube down by hand just above top of bucket then you will need someone to tie the string to the door when the door is up.
When your tube fills up with water gravity kicks in and the weight will pull your tube down which then pulls your door up. You want your tube to NOT go lower than top of bucket. I placed wire over the door frame. The door opens slowly as water fills up tube and then it goes down slowly as water drains back into bucket. When your timer shuts off pump gravity takes place again and will drain back into bucket.

Im in search of Black White Crested Polish hens and a Peacock.

Check out our Events page in our members page. So far only have one event. Anyone that knows of a event please let us know so we can add it. Link to our members page is below in my signature! Thanks.

FYI..I couldn't get into the members list this morning. It said "The publishing options given are not valid. Please check the options and try again"