Automatic Coop Door

I was wondering if anyone has installed an automatic door for their coop? My definition of an auto door would be one that opens the door at a set time in the morning and then closes the door at a set at night.

I ask because I want a plan in the event I am not home for a couple days. The door I am thinking about actuating is the access to the secured run. I am not worried about locking my birds out at night as they have good roosting instincts and head inside like clockwork each night.

Any thoughts? If you want to leave negative comments about my idea, I would appreciate positive alternative ideas. Do not just reply that I should not do this. Thank you.

I think it is a great idea. There was someone on here who made a homemade version for about $30 vs. what you would pay a company for one. I am going to be doing the homemade version here in a couple of weeks.
Not many people want to go out in the pouring rain to let chickens out...it would be nice to have a door that did that for you automatically!

I had just posted this a couple of days ago https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/932334/automatic-hen-door-opener-copied-from-nycue

originally copied idea using water containers and added a few extras, such as ability to work over internet

Rainer

Many people on this forum have posted their experiences with commercially available as well as DIY models of automatic chicken door openers. Search this forum for "automatic chicken door". Do the same on YouTube. Make sure you have plenty of time and coffee available.

I don't sell these, but its the best opener out there

I just replaced my coop door with a slide-up-&-down pop door & auto door opener today! My original pop door was hinged on the side & held open by a hook 'n eye so I had to replace it.

It did close on time with the timer & everyone was inside. I need to make a few adjustments & cover the door with cedar planking but so far I'm happy!!

happybooker1 said:

I just replaced my coop door with a slide-up-&-down pop door & auto door opener today! My original pop door was hinged on the side & held open by a hook 'n eye so I had to replace it.

It did close on time with the timer & everyone was inside. I need to make a few adjustments & cover the door with cedar planking but so far I'm happy!!

Click to expand...

Does you door open with timer or light sensor?

I always find youtube helpful for just about anything

I'd been playing with some light controlled DC motor drivers earlier this year, was at the breadboarding stage (prototype) I was trying to overcome an issue regarding a set delay to stop the thing being overly jittery but had not managed to get past that without needing to spend ££££ solving it. I might have another go soon.

The basic circuit works fine but I was concerned with issues like PIR floodlights triggering the door, but it's a work in progress at least.

I have been looking at many ideas, people have come up with to make an automatic door opener,
and the *designs* range from simple to rocket science type ...

This is what I have come up with, from looking at many of those ideas *out there*.
You can not really get any simpler ... , I think !

Use a flip up door, to make the opening movement simple and with the least amount of *friction*.
A flip up door tends to self-close !
I added a lever to the bottom of the door to create a lower force to open the door.


The antenna HAS to be a FULLY Automatic Car antenna.
The stroke of the Antenna has to be somewhat as shown below.



The battery tender is the *guts* of an old *nonworking* emergency battery.
Since the opener uses power ONLY during operation,
I think that the walwart 110 in -12 vdc out, charger may not be required after all.




Below a simple way to connect. Just add a wallwart battery tender from Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/automatic-battery-float-charger-69594.html
The timer is this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008999RYY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



If you want to use a 110 volt timer, you have to modify the *innards* of the timer
to allow the switch to be used as a *switch only*.
Disconnect the 110 volts from the internal switch.

BTW, the antenna has a built in clutch.
If for some reason the door gets stuck, the antenna stops,
and just sits there until the next cycle comes along ....