"Smart" coop using "smart home" technology

[the Gents Hens]

I'm going solar peeps! This will enable me to set up my coop as a "smart coop" using Smart Home Technology! Has anybody started this or done this? I'm very interested in your ideas! How wonderful it would be to use Amazon Echo and just tell it to open the coop door, see a video feed of the girls, ect. Also does anybody have any information about smartphone apps in controlling your coop i.e. temperature humidity ect. I look forward to hearing your wonderful ideas!

 

[N F C]

No tech ideas from me (I'm an old school type) but wanted to say Welcome to BYC!

It will be interesting to see how some of these ideas work for you.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC @the Gents Hens !!

Old schooler here too...
.....just because you can control things with one of those voice activated thingamjiggies,
doesn't mean you should or need to. Technology for technologies sake is silly IMO.

Plenty of folks have coop cams, I would actually love to myself,
but temp and humidity isn't something most coops can 'control' anyway.

I don't have an autodoor either, don't need one.
But that might actually be a valid improvement, in combo with the cams, as they often malfunction.

 

[the Gents Hens]

@NFC and @AART- thanks for the welcome! I had chickens about a year and a 1/2 ago until a critter found a way in and mauled them. I was devastated. Now I'm ready to go back at it. You are so right - technology never replaces good care and interactions with the animals in our care! It's the interactions with the chikens that makes taking care of them so enjoyable (and eggs)! There are several great cameras for very cheap - around $40 on amazon and if you are looking at cams made for dog owners!

 

[RonP]

Old schooler here too...

I like to simplify and automate as much as possible, so...

 

[ScottandSam]

I'm interested but kind off a dummy still. I got me a alexa on black Friday but have not really used it a lot. I do have plans for her once technology get a little smoother. I want her to control my light and tv entertainment stuff and maybe thermostat. I know she can do that but 20-40 a light bulb is crazy. I'm interested in how this may be implemented in a coop too. Lets just say I loved the jetson's as a kid but still don't have a flying car or fridge to make dinner;(

ScottS

 

[aart]

I had chickens about a year and a 1/2 ago until a critter found a way in and mauled them. I was devastated....
.....There are several great cameras for very cheap - around $40 on amazon and if you are looking at cams made for dog owners!

Sorry for your losses, tho no technology is going keep preds out of your coop/run.
Spend the tech money on good construction materials.

Oh, I've been all over shopping researching cams for several years.
If I was going to have cams, they would tilt, zoom, pan in IR, and record in an easily navigated software.
Don't have the bucks for that, so will go without.

 

[N F C]

@NFC and @AART- thanks for the welcome! I had chickens about a year and a 1/2 ago until a critter found a way in and mauled them. I was devastated. Now I'm ready to go back at it. You are so right - technology never replaces good care and interactions with the animals in our care! It's the interactions with the chikens that makes taking care of them so enjoyable (and eggs)! There are several great cameras for very cheap - around $40 on amazon and if you are looking at cams made for dog owners!

Sorry for the losses with your previous flock...best of luck with the new one!

 

[the Gents Hens]

@aart - yes the cam moves just by moving your finger on your screen. You can talk through it and hear audio as well. My boss was showing it to me for her dogs - I will find out more and post link here

 

[the Gents Hens]

@scottandsam - I too want to germs an amazon echo and control lights and accessories in the couple with you voice! Will let you know what I come up with once I get solar panel on and working