Contraband Rooster and his Homemade Timer Box **Pics**

[drumstick diva]

Does he get enough air in the box, the holes look so small. I worry about him on really hot days. If the batts. go out, he is stuck inside till you come home and rescue him.

 

[foxinachickenhouse]

The battery thing had us paranoid too. I can't imagine him being in there all day. It looks like the timer starts to slow down when the batteries are going so we plan to replace them well ahead of any catastrophe. I looked into rechargeable batteries and found that the NimH batteries will hold out for a long time and work in extreme temps. I ordered those and a charger from this site. http://www.thomasdistributing.com/shop/maha-mhc204fdc-aaaaa-smart-battery-chargerbrincludes-four-maha-powerex-2700-aa-nimh-batteries-12v-dc-cord-storage-bag-and-battery-tester-p-912.html?SP_id=&osCsid=a98rm8a91donrsllit8gi3gna7
We also have neighbors that don't work in the mornings. They listen for him and come to check if they haven't heard anything by 9:45 or so. Our neighbors are so great!

The ventilation holes are about 5/8" or finger sized. There are many more of them on the top of the box. So far he doesn't seem to be creating too much humidity in there. Keeping a close watch especially as it gets colder. I dont want him to be damp. We get damp a lot here. Might have to add more holes or make slits or something. Trick is to keep it dark enough so that he sleeps in. So far, he sleeps mostly until the door opens. Sometimes he's still sleeping with the open door!

I've put a thermometer probe into the box that reads on a little weather station inside the house to monitor the temp/humidity in there. So far, it's the same as the rest of the coop. On a couple of hot nights I gave him an ice pack nestled into the shavings that he can cuddle against. The first few nights he was in there, it was warm and I was up with the flashlight several times checking on him. He was never panting, just sleeping away.

I would like to make his box more solid eventually but this timer thing really doesn't have the umpf necessary to open any door that is not extremely light weight. The durability of this whole contraption is really going to be tested in the coopiness of the coop over time. Will update if it totally falls apart.

Here's a pic that I couldn't resist posting. Seriously, this rooster is cuddling with the cat.

 

[Chickenmaven]

I would be more concerned about this set-up come Winter. He is really gonna need to roost with his girls to stay warm.

 

[foxinachickenhouse]

The good news is we rarely get below freezing here. Maritime climate and all. If it gets too cold, I thought I would put one of the silkie girls in with him... or a warm stone/brick. The other option is to just bring him into the basement in extreme temps. I love the weather station probe in there, it really feeds my control freakiness to know exactly the climate in the box

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

So glad you were able to come up with a way to keep LaFonda!! Have you entered him in a show yet?

 

[goldeneggtees]

Very cute and that's great news for little LaFonda! He gets to stay!

 

[Yazzo]

There are certainly a lot of concerns regarding the device.....maybe a thermostat could be attached so that it opens if it gets too cold or hot. Also, it could have either back up power, or possibly have a even more reliable source or energy. Thoughts to think about. All designs can be improved, and I think this is one that certainly deserves to be worked on and used by more people.

Great picture BTW!

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Oh Oh Oh! I saw your post awhile back saying you had to get rid of this rooster .. so happy you are able to keep him!

 

[jettgirl24]

That is SO awesome! I might be stealing your idea soon... I'm in the city too and hatched babies in July. I knew I'd be getting rid of some roos but I didn't expect to fall in love with one. He's a blue copper Marans and SO gorgeous, I just hate to part with him! I have VERY cool neighbors who loved the roo I used to have. Sadly we only had three girls at that time and he was WAY too much for them. Since we will have 7 girls now plus the roo I'd like to give it another try

 

[TheMainException]

I absolutely love this!!!! I may do this for my actual coop for in the morning since I will no longer be able to let them out after it gets light out because of my new job. This will save lives!