Upgraded coop and Automatic doors

[DJSams]

Been working on upgrading the coop and installing automatic doors and waterers.


Automatic door 1 works with a pool pump and pumps water into the counter weight
of a morning to raise the door and drains down at night to shut it. also operates the meaties brooder door by pullys

As the water is being pumped during the day it goes through the pvc pipe to water the chickens

 

[gamebirdsonly]

 

[j3707]

I like the concept of dual functions. Does the water run all day and how/where does it drain out at the end of the day?

 

[DJSams]

Yes the water runs all day circulating through the waterers, then the timer shuts off at night drains the weight tube and the doors go shut. Drains back into a 5 gal bucket, just have to add some water every 3 or 4 days.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

That is mind-blowingly cool. Why did you pick that technology?

 

[DJSams]

I'm Cheap !!! Pump was on sale at Harbor Freight for $10. Almost everything else was just left over from other projects except for a few fittings. Next challenge is to keep it from freezing, I'm hoping that with the water moving it won't freeze during the day. and I can insulate the bucket to keep it from freezing at night.

 

[KansasBoy]

Very cool, have to love Harbor Freight! Love how simple it seems to maintain!

 

[DJSams]

Thank You

 

[Mouthpear]

Been working on upgrading the coop and installing automatic doors and waterers.


Automatic door 1 works with a pool pump and pumps water into the counter weight
of a morning to raise the door and drains down at night to shut it. also operates the meaties brooder door by pullys

As the water is being pumped during the day it goes through the pvc pipe to water the chickens

I'm Cheap !!! Pump was on sale at Harbor Freight for $10. Almost everything else was just left over from other projects except for a few fittings. Next challenge is to keep it from freezing, I'm hoping that with the water moving it won't freeze during the day. and I can insulate the bucket to keep it from freezing at night.

When you said pool pump do you mean pond pump. I have never seen a pool pump that wasn't high volume and anything less than 1 1/2" ports.

Did you solve your freezing problem?

Also there is a simple way to not have the pump running all day.