DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[perchie.girl]

BTW Leas Mom. I love your large glass waterer solution. If I didn't comment before. But I want to add if you used like a Glass Vinegar or Apple cider container you could use a cork in the top and a cork in the hole for transportation and you'd have a gallon of water. they have a ring near the neck too for carrying.... Bottle brush and salt to scrub Vinegar to rinse....

deb

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Leave the bowl upright, fill it with sand, and set the waterer on the sand.
No holes exposed, and no need for drainage

OR, fill the bowl COMPLETELY with sand, and glue or screw a solid cover on the bowl to set the waterer on.
It could be metal, plastic, or even ceramic tile and still would transmit heat well if it's in contact with the sand

 

[Leahs Mom]

Yep! That's what I like about glass. As long as you have an air-tight top, you can use whatever size you want.

So..on the solar...what would I need to run my current door (those of you who know your electricity).

This is the door I have:
http://www.automaticchickencoopdoor.com/?gclid=CKqmpoqMrboCFe5cMgodqAQAHA

The motor:
http://www.automaticchickencoopdoor.com/door-motor/
The Chicken Coop Door Motor is 120volts 60herts 19watts (same as an ordinary house outlet).

That company doesn't do solar, but the did post this:
http://www.automaticchickencoopdoor.com/make-your-chicken-coop-door-batterysolar-operated/

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: You'll need:

Solar panel or panels and Charge controller
12 volt battery (Deep Cycle is best)
DC to AC Inverter

The door opener and timer need very little power, so you should be able to use the smallest inverters available, costing around $40.
http://www.dcacpowerinverters.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=EN180

You MIGHT be able to get by with a "trickle charger", (but bigger would MUCH be better) $40
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Coleman-6W-12-Volt-Solar-Battery-Trickle-Charger-58022/203241530?N=bm15

Deep Cycle batteries last longer , but good ones aren't cheap
Figure on around $150 for anything decent

SO
$150 + 40 + 40 = $230

That same amount of money will buy around 300 FT of underground wiring to run house current to your coop:

http://www.nextag.com/romex-12_-_2-uf-100-ft/stores-html

 

[mi2bugz]

When I built my coop, I used the space inside the wall for a feeder. It saves space inside the coop. There is a small door on the exterior wall to fill from, and on the inside of the coop, the feed goes down into a tray. The tray can be removed for cleaning, but so far, it has stayed very clean. Water cannot get in since the fill door is under the roof of the run so it stays nice and dry. I'm sure I'm not the first person to do this, but this set up works very well for me.

Love this idea but I don't have a roof over the area where I would be putting the exterior feed door. Does anyone have plans similar to this one? I am a complete building novice but can follow building plans. Thank you for any and all assistance! ~ Nicole

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Build one just like this
2 pieces of wood and 5 minutes to assemble:

 

[Angelicisi]

Hahahahaha you are awesome....disassembly for science!

Brilliant! Never knew you could get a heated bowl for less than $30. I'll have to look for one that I can remove the element from the underside.
Tho the bottom doesn't look flat with those pins in a line running thru the middle but only one way. Looks like there's another piece on the bottom in your disassembly pic?

 

[buckeyechicken]

This is the coop and run Coop is 8'x9' and run is 9'x9'

Flat roost to keep pecking order down and moveable

Chicken Yard is 32' wide and 25' deep, coop, run and part of the yard has construction sand as floor for easy cleaning, the rest is dirt with yard clippings and leaves on it. All material is salvaged material ( from pallets) except the wire and screws, everything is in panels so it can be taken down and moved. The box in the middle of the yard is a brood box, and when not in use for brood box makes a good feed storage box.

 

[drakeschicks]

This is the coop and run Coop is 8'x9' and run is 9'x9'

Flat roost to keep pecking order down and moveable

Chicken Yard is 32' wide and 25' deep, coop, run and part of the yard has construction sand as floor for easy cleaning, the rest is dirt with yard clippings and leaves on it. All material is salvaged material ( from pallets) except the wire and screws, everything is in panels so it can be taken down and moved. The box in the middle of the yard is a brood box, and when not in use for brood box makes a good feed storage box.

Wow, that's really nice!

 

[malndobe]

This is the coop and run Coop is 8'x9' and run is 9'x9'

Flat roost to keep pecking order down and moveable

Chicken Yard is 32' wide and 25' deep, coop, run and part of the yard has construction sand as floor for easy cleaning, the rest is dirt with yard clippings and leaves on it. All material is salvaged material ( from pallets) except the wire and screws, everything is in panels so it can be taken down and moved. The box in the middle of the yard is a brood box, and when not in use for brood box makes a good feed storage box.

Nice.