Electronic Circuits and Projects Forum

Can you post a link to a unit you've found that you think is too pricey?

Hi DOM01974,

I guess what you have found is just the "black box" for the coop. It doesn't seem to contain any mechanics.

Here is a simple mechanical solution.

Use single steel rods (bike spokes will do it perfectly). Bend them circular and attach them to the horizontal steel bar using spacers of copper pipe.

Each rod should move independently making passage for the chicken easy.

Depending on the desired function you might lock the chicken in, out or both using locking bars at the bottom of the device. They might be driven by solenoids.

You might think about purchasing a programmable timer switch offering two channels for on and off independently. They are available at electric suppliers.

Boncuk

thanks boncuk but dont think that realy helps as im looking for a timer and some sort of pully system unless iv missed somthink on your post ill build what u have shown and get back to you i realy dont want to get up early in the morning so a auto opener to pull the door of the coop upwards at 8am to let the hens out, as u can see in these photos the motor pulls the string to allow the door to go up or down
pulleys_250_copyright.jpg VSB2_400.jpg

Someone else here was doing much the same. Look at
little help needed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUKIlZIZDqc

I like this one too .. It has a little neat system that makes it impossible for the door to be opened by the outside (animals that eat hens can't open it)..

I don't see any advantage of a sliding gate, but risks for the survival of chicken.

Assuming the gate has already been closed with one chicken getting home late it will have to stay outside and might fall victim to a fox or a marten.

Chicken don't return home after dark if there is sufficient artificial light (street lights, etc.) making them "think" it's still day.

(That's the reason why chicken are being raised in a lighted environment 24 hours per day, making them eat all day and night long to grow faster for meat production and profit.)

Just give it a thought.

Boncuk