Automatic Coop Door - Simple and Cheap w/ VIDEO

[G Wiz Ranch]

A nice family came to our place to buy some chicks, we got to talking about coops, it came up that their son built an automatic coop door that was super cheap and easy. I thought I would share it with you folks, the son made this video of the door. Please share any feed back you might have, I plan on using the design in one of my coops.

 

[boston3381]

genius

 

[G Wiz Ranch]

I think it is. That is why I posted it here. I can't wait to install mine.

 

[owler]

Like the other models I see out there, I worry about the light weight of the door. It seems to me that a raccoon could press against the door and push up very easily.

This system could be beefed up by adding a weight to the door(like 20 pounds) and making the water tube larger, or multiple water tubes. The other option would be to shorted the rod on the door side and lengthen the rod on the water side. I just don't remember the math on how to calculate. You would need three gallons of water to overcome a 20 pound weight. I wonder if swimming pool or RV anti-freeze would work in the winter.

 

[G Wiz Ranch]

Quote:
Great ideas. Never thought of anti-freese out here, not cold enough. How heavy does a door have to be to prevent a coon from lifting it and being able to get under? What if you had a latch and the latch was attached to the string before the door, so that when the string is pulled up to lift the door, it releases the latch first. When the door comes down, the latch will catch and lock the door in the down position. I was also thinking that you could use 2 pullies instead of the arm. the lift weight would have to weigh a little more than the door when full of water.

 

[Subgauge]

So the pump runs all day right?

I don't care what type of pump this is it will NOT run all day for 1.5 cents of electricity.
Other than that it is a great idea.

 

[G Wiz Ranch]

Quote:
They are used in your garden fountains and are made to run 24/7. They are slow and low gph. They even sell solar powered ones, check out HaborFreight http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45305
This uses only .18 amps and if my math is correct that is only .0198 kw per hour. Most people are paying approx 5-7 cents per 1kwh so the math of 1.5 cents is correct based on a 12 hour period.

 

[owler]

I am not really sure how heavy the door should be but the one in the video looks prety flimsy. I think 20 pounds would be the minimum to make me feel comfortable.

 

[AndrewH]

Add 40# to the door and 40# to the counter weight (or 100# or 20#).

If it's designed correctly, the extra weight on both sides will off set each other and the only thing the water actually has to do is overcome the difference of the door's actual weight.

It would also require 40#+ to open the door without the counter weight (as in a coon or something else).

But that's not to say the coon wouldn't figure out the timing of the door and wait til just before closing to nab a chicken...

 

[owler]

Counter weight would defeat the purpose of the weighted door. Add the weights to the door and plan on the liquid tank to hold more flluid weight than the door weight.