DIY automatic coop door

[Julie1077]

Since 6am is way to early for me and hubby, and sine I know my chickens will organize against us if they aren't let out in time, we decided to go automatic. Now I sure did want one of those $300 ones, but hubby said it was too much. After scouring the forums and YouTube I found the door made with an automatic car antenna, an intermatic timer and a 12v jet ski battery. I would like to give credit to where I found the idea, and give thanks to everyone who has posted their designs.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/804036/automatic-chicken-coop-door-for-only-5-bucks-with-a-radio-antenna-from-a-junkyard

The first task was to find the right antenna, and we also needed a timer that is compatible with the 12v power source. We got this antenna and timer from ebay.



Here is the antenna mounted inside the peak of the roof, there is a rope tied to the tip of the antenna and when it extends it allows the door to be lowered in place.






The timer confused us a bit but it worked when we connected the blue wire from the timer to the blue wire on the antenna, then the black one from the timer went to the positive battery terminal. The red wire from the antenna went to the positive and the black to the negative on the battery, just as expected. And the clamps in the picture are part of the solar panel.



I set the timer to turn off (retract) and open the door 1 hour after dawn, and to turn on (extend) and close the door 1 hour after dusk. The system is working great so far, and I'm happy we saved some money.

 

[jetdog]

Very cool, I found a video on YouTube for a "locking chicken door"you should look it up and add it to your door, 2 L shaped arms lock the door in place when it's closed so if anything gets into the run they can't open the door, it works great, congratulations.

 

[Julie1077]

I saw that too, and I do really want hubby to put it together for me. Maybe someday soon, today he is putting in the chicken cam so I can check on them when I'm at work. And for now I feel ok since the door opens into the run that we covered completely with 1/4 hardware cloth, including in the ground and on the ceiling.

 

[cameronfarm]

Thats pretty cool! I've been thinking about doing something similar with a dark-activated switch (http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/Dark-activated-switch.php) and an electric actuator.

 

[Julie1077]

I thought about the light sensitive switch as well, however I read that a storm or a cloudy day could trick it into thinking it was dark and cause the door to close. If there are options for sensitivity on the switch, I suppose you could adjust it to only close when it is very dark.

 

[AlabamaSweetpea]

I'm going to install an automatic door and have decided to use the antenna too. I have a motor and limit switches, but it's simpler with the antenna. What kind of solar system do you have set up? I don't have power in my coop or shed yet, so I've got to use batteries. Plus, I don't have to worry about the power going out.

Would love to see your coopcam too. It would be nice to see what's going on at night

 

[tracecom]

I don't want to cause you unnecessary work, but if you don't have a diode between your solar panel and battery, the panel can discharge the battery at night and on cloudy days. The diode should be installed to allow current to flow from the panel to the battery, but not in the opposite direction.

 

[itsmed55]

Hi! I'm am new to raising chickens. I love the whole DIY ideas. I enjoy building and creating things. Power antenna to raise the coop door? I'm in! I can't wait to get out to the junk yard. Thanks to everyones input it looks really simple. I'm working on my coop now. I have also built my incubator and tested and retested and holds temps and humidity levels. Will start incubating in February. Plan to have homemade incubator, brooder and coop ready. This DIY guy is very excited.