Would you like to have an automated coop?

[wizInnovatinos]

The question that I'm trying to answer: Would you pay for an automated chicken coop? Or, if not, would you pay someone to come to your backyard and automate your existing coop?

Background:
I'm an engineer and backyard farming enthusiast. I have designed a fully automated chicken coop that runs off solar power with automatic systems for the door, temperature, and lights, as well as having several design considerations like cleaning and general maintainability. In short, it takes almost all of the hassle out of keeping chickens, and I love it. Several folks have expressed interest in something similar for themselves, and it got me thinking about creating a business of designing and building automated chicken coops. Since many people already have coops, the business could include (or solely be about) retrofitting existing coops to be automated or more maintainable. The service to update a coop would include house calls to update your current coop, and I could include any or all of the features that I have already implemented, plus I'm always looking for new ideas.

So I pose the question to you, my chicken-keeping friends: Would this be a service that you would pay for? I'm wondering if this is an innovative business idea, or a lost cause, since most backyard chicken keepers seem to be of the DIY nature.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Dustystrail]

Sorry, I'm a DIY gal but I bet you could find plenty who would pay.
I know there are plenty of people around here who will pay top dollar for a laying hen because it's too much trouble to raise chicks. Ha, they're just missing out on all the fun. Lol

 

[tracecom]

I, too, have some technical expertise, and designed and built several electromechanical projects involving chickens. For example, I built a fully automated pop door using a gear-head motor, an LDR, and associated circuitry all run by a microcontroller. I installed it, and field tested it for a few days, and then took it out. Turns out that my neighbor, my wife, and I all enjoy letting the chickens out and shutting them up.

No doubt there are people who would use your services, but between DIY'ers, cheapskates (like me,) and people who enjoy the activities associated with keeping chickens, the market is restricted. Geography also plays a part; if you live within reasonable driving distance of large numbers of chicken lovers, that would help, but if you are in a small remote town, or in the boonies, that would be a problem. Finally, your prices would be important in getting customers.

All in all, you might be well served to do a little arithmetic involving potential customers times prices minus expenses to see if it seems feasible. Good luck.

 

[robustoebella]

I think there would be a market for a fully automated coop. You would have to market it in higher income locations. Your target market would be those who are interested in the health aspect of raising chickens, who don't want to get their hands dirty (so to speak), and have the funds.
You should do well. Good luck!