| Author | Content |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 15, 2008
12:09 PM Post #5263047
| I free range my chickens every day, all year round. I open the small coop door each morning and close it each night. The problem is that if we get delayed in town, we have to try to find a neighbor to drive out and close the coop for us so nothing gets in. The very few times we havent found someone to do this we have found racoon, and a ferrel cats in the coop.
I want to build an automatic door. I would put it on a timer to open in the morning at a certain time, and close in the evening at a certain time. It would have to be power based so that it would only open with power (so in case we lost power while out of town, it would not open at night ect).
Does anyone have any suggestions for this? I am really motivated to do this, and I know there has to be a way to build somthing that would work.
I know my picture doesnt have much to do with this...but it shows that even my DH loves the chickens. hahahaha...
Melissa
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 15, 2008
12:10 PM Post #5263053
| does he have a choic? love me, love my animals! love that picture!
i know there is a place that sells them, and they are solar powered... |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 15, 2008
12:15 PM Post #5263075
| WOW that is just the picture to treasure, Gives a new meaning to "A picture speaks a 1000 words." Your idea of an automatic door opener is a great idea. I hope you get some ideas. |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 15, 2008
12:18 PM Post #5263087
| ouch, racoon and ferral cats???? lose any chickens yet??? |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 15, 2008
12:20 PM Post #5263099
| Yes...my DH doesnt have much of a choice, but he does like the chickens. So far we have only had one chicken loss experience...and that was the badger masacre last year. I will keep looking online for something that might work for this...but just not having much luck. |
Patchouli78
Foley, MO
July 15, 2008
01:28 PM Post #5263415
| Coons and cats can be VERY hazardous to your chicken's health!!! |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 15, 2008
02:21 PM Post #5263693
| guns can be very hazardous to coons and cats! |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 15, 2008
03:11 PM Post #5263926
| yes they can...but we have the one evasive cat who runs as soon as we open the door. We have tried live traps, bait, and stalking...but we cant get it. Comes up every few night, and I am affraid it is going to kill our cat who goes out for just a few minutes each night.
Anyway..this is why I want the door. :) |
Patchouli78
Foley, MO
July 15, 2008
03:46 PM Post #5264083
| LOL TF : ) |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 25, 2008
12:26 AM Post #5316241
| I've done it! Well...not yet, but I have figured out how to build a door for the chickens that will work on a basic timer, and will open (by raising a door) up in the am, and will lower it in the pm. My brain has been working like mad to figure this one out, and it was just not that it hit me! MAGNETS! Like the ones they use in salvage yards. They are electrified to create the magnetic field, and when the power source is taken away...they loose that magnec field. So I found a company who will sell me a few of these, and then I can build them...and send them to everyone! hahaha...but first I am waiting to see what they will cost. I couldnt imagine they would be too much. The model I requested more info on is only 1 in by 3 inches...but can life up to 200lbs!
Ok...since DH is sleeping I really needed to tell someone...and since he doesnt really care...I was just hoping someone here might be as excited as me! I bet Tamara is!
Melissa |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
July 25, 2008
12:40 AM Post #5316276
| Wow! We used to make electric magnets in school by running currents through a coiled wire--so how hard can it be? I can see how it would keep the door closed, but how would you make it move the door arm?--I'm not good at visualizing these things. |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 25, 2008
01:01 AM Post #5316334
| YES I AM! YOU coulda just IM'd me, i would get that much faster LOL.
got a crying baby here, gotta go. |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 25, 2008
10:02 AM Post #5317441
| I know..but not sure how to IM when someone is not online. I guess I didnt even look. Figured you were already asleep! I am hoping for a responce from this magnet company today,and then I can really get into this. Kinda hard to explain how this would work, but I see it all in my head and it works great. :) |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
July 25, 2008
10:24 AM Post #5317565
| I believe you!:0) |
knslwilliams
Clarksburg, MO
July 25, 2008
10:25 AM Post #5317571
| I would lllove to have an automatic opening door. We are often held up in town at activities past dark. So far we have not had any problems with predators, but think that it is only time. I have a friend that has automatic opening doors, but just havn;t gotten there to see them yet. When I do I will let you know how he constructed them. He works out of town al week and has them to do the work when he is not there.
|
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 25, 2008
10:35 AM Post #5317631
| certainly let me know how he did his. We got home late last night, and that was why I couldnt sleep. I felt so bad, even though everyone was fine. We have SO many predators out here that we should never chance it like that. We often use them as an excuse to leave parties etc, Saying, 'Well we need to go. The chickens are out.' Hahaha...but maybe we could just not tell anyone we have an automatic door. :)
I am very confident my idea will work. My brother used to make magnets for a living, and he knows all about them. I have several on my fridge, and he loved the powered ones. I am going to put my head with his and see what we can build. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 25, 2008
07:45 PM Post #5319806
| I WANT one when ya get it done. PWEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
July 25, 2008
09:46 PM Post #5320397
| sounds like a great idea
|
Photographer
Moxee, WA
(Zone 4a)
July 26, 2008
12:14 AM Post #5321043
| Melissa,
I suggest a conibear trap ... I think 220 size. Get yourself a 5 gal plastic bucket. Cut a 4.5" square hole on the bottom right in the center. Bury the bucket up to the rim (upside down of course). Put tuna or smelly cat food in the bucket. The hole needs a conibear trap directly over it set and ready to spring. Your trap needs to be tied or chained so that the animal won't run off with it around their neck after it springs. Once you chickens are in for the night ... set the trap and go to bed. You'll have a dead cat in the morning or perhaps a raccoon.
Kelly in Moxee |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 26, 2008
02:23 AM Post #5321388
| NO, i get the first prototype! |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 26, 2008
11:37 AM Post #5322541
| OK, i have waited long enough! get back online already!!! my DH doesn't see how this can work without a power source...
funny, Kelly, i think you meant to post that in the bear thread LOL |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 26, 2008
11:44 AM Post #5322567
| I am sure she is talking about a power source. The timer will be on the power source, that when on it will...that is as far as my thinking is going. |
Photographer
Moxee, WA
(Zone 4a)
July 26, 2008
12:17 PM Post #5322713
| TamaraFaye,
I was thinking the cat and raccoon might be less of a problem if they were dead ... like the badger. The 220 conibear traps are fast furious and humane ... if there's any humane means of killing a predatory animal.
I suppose the bear thread was down several pages so it was out of my sight?
Kelly in Moxee |
gk1153
Paris, IL
(Zone 6a)
July 26, 2008
12:43 PM Post #5322801
| Instead of a timer how about an electric eye of the type used to turn on vapor lamps at dusk and off at sunrise? A timer would need adjusting as seasons change. You would still need a power source.
Use a counter balance setup so the default door position is open. When the magnets are powered the door would close. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 26, 2008
12:45 PM Post #5322811
| I like that idea. |
gk1153
Paris, IL
(Zone 6a)
July 26, 2008
01:08 PM Post #5322882
| I thought it was a good one till I went back and read she doesn't want it open at night if the power fails. Oh well, reverse it. Default position is door down. Reverse the wirung on the eye so it is "on" during the day time.
I wonder if the magnet could pull an old fashioned window sash weight down to open the door of a morning. The door and weight would need to be balanced in consideration of the pulley system required.
A picture just galloped across my mind of the door slamming open and/or closed and scaring the bejeezus out of the chickens.
|
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 26, 2008
01:13 PM Post #5322900
| yea while reading this that has been in the back of my mind also, half in half out. |
knslwilliams
Clarksburg, MO
July 26, 2008
03:20 PM Post #5323398
| Stil trying to get a hold of my neighbor with the auto doors. He is a hard man to catch. Wil let you al know what he has soon.
|
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 26, 2008
03:21 PM Post #5323400
| kewl would love to have a couple or dozen lol. |
lindono
Austin, TX
July 26, 2008
04:33 PM Post #5323696
| I just lost 4 Silkies last night when we didn't get home to shut them in on time. I am devastated and a friend mentioned automatic doors. I know there is a UK company that sells them, but I would like to not spend $200 if I can help it. I am very curious how the magnetic field door might work. I would certainly commission you to make one for me if it works for you! Well, if it's not $200 that is.
I have a brilliant friend also thinking about options. If he comes up with anything, I will post. Glad to find this discussion!
Linda
Austin, TX |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 26, 2008
07:16 PM Post #5324434
| welcome linda, yes let us know |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 27, 2008
11:01 AM Post #5327103
| I am looking at a door that would run on electricity, but only a very small amount. I have also found ways to slowely open and close the door. And at this point I have 2 sources of power, and 2 different mechanisims to open the door itself...and 2 types of tracks for the door to movce on.Figure I will make several, and find the best option. I found a company in the UK as well, but they did not sell the doors, but the mechanism that woudl then have to be converted to AC power, put on a timer, wired up, and then need to build a door and frame. It will probably be a w hile before we have the first model ready to ship out... but the costs of materials is anywhere from $100-$170 depending on which options we choose to make this. |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
July 27, 2008
11:07 AM Post #5327129
| I wonder if you could have a weighted door that dropped into place along a track? Maybe with one of those sensors they have on garage doors so you don't crush a chicken? |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 27, 2008
12:35 PM Post #5327501
| We thought of that as well, and if so that is what we would use the magnet for. The probblam with that idea is that the magnet would have to be energized for the entire time the door is open. That wouldnt pull a lot of power, but it would be more then some other ideas we have. Also, if you lose power the door woudl shut, possibley locking out the chickens.
We are working hard on this though.
|
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 27, 2008
12:40 PM Post #5327528
| Hey you guys are doing great. Can not wait until it is done. I might get hubby to thinking about that, but as he said last night...he has alot of irons in the fire right now, last week the rider mower broke a belt, chicken coop needs building, garden needs picks daily. and on and on and on...Oh he has to work on the truck...plus 7 days this week at work hurt bad. Good money just not enough hrs in the week for him. I am hoping he will be able to take a day off during the week. But i will drop a hint to him. |
lindono
Austin, TX
July 27, 2008
01:38 PM Post #5327773
| My brainly, electrical genius friend seems to think this will be an easy do for us since I have power very close to my coop. We will work on it and update as far as success goes.
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/automatic-chicken-coop-door.php
|
Catscan
Lodi
United States
July 27, 2008
06:31 PM Post #5329009
| This is totally wack--but remember how Josh asked if there was any way to make it so the chickens could go in and out but the predator was excluded. Well if we are talking about the little "hen" door in a coop--what about how they make those pet doors designed so that the pet wears a transmitter that triggers the door. They are designed to keep strange cats, dogs, raccoons and other unintended guests from entering. Of course it would be prohibitively expensive for a large flock. You could either put the roost far enough away that they would not trigger it when they were roosting, or have it on a timer so that the door only worked sun-up to sun-down.
|
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 27, 2008
07:35 PM Post #5329294
| I looked into those. the cost would be excessive, and they do not work quit like how I need. My duck roosts on the floor nest to the door, and he would even need a colar. Good thinking though. I think I have a much cheaper way to manufactur them. Those pet doors go up to $300 or more! |
MollyD1953
Canandaigua, NY
(Zone 4b)
July 27, 2008
11:20 PM Post #5330320
| My worry would be what if the door shut while some chickens were still outside? I know my flock doesn't all go in at once. There are stragglers on some nights that don't get inside till around 9:30pm while on other nights (like rainy evenings) they're all tucked away by 8 pm.
MollyD |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 28, 2008
09:45 AM Post #5331674
| My thought wouild be, if using a timer, to set it for the latest possible time before it is dark. We have some stragglers some nights as well...but I have never seem them out with less then at least 45 minutes of light. Most night I would probably go check them anyway. |
granny_goody
Luther, MI
(Zone 4b)
July 28, 2008
11:52 AM Post #5332413
| I don't think a timer would work in our case. We have had some who have to be scooted into the henhouse after dark. Guess having a bright yardlight on that side of the house makes them think it's still daylight.
GG |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 28, 2008
01:01 PM Post #5332743
| Really? I guess you are right then. Ours are never out after dark. our rooster patrols and gets all the girls in long before the light is completely gone. We dont have a yard light, so I guess that could be it. |
MissJestr
Kingman, AZ
(Zone 7a)
July 28, 2008
01:45 PM Post #5332967
| When is the best time to start turning them out? I have only had my chickens for a few weeks and they have been locked up in the chicken yard for this whole time. It is a nice big chicken yard, but I would like for them to run around a little bit since I have alot of space.. I am afraid if I let them out they will not come back... Is there a way to know they will come back? My two older ones will make it up the hill to the stables and hang with the horses, I know that because when one escaped shortly after I brought them home I found her up there with them. The 4 younger ones were raised in a small cage and I am not sure what they will do, they have never seen a horse before.
|
granny_goody
Luther, MI
(Zone 4b)
July 28, 2008
05:21 PM Post #5333969
| I would give them about six weeks to get used to staying around the yard. Mine only go out for about an 1-1/2 hrs in the evening and they go around our yard, into the woods for a little bit and then return and go into the chicken coop and then into the henhouse.
GG
We let the guineas out of their henhouse for the first time today. They have been in there for about 3wks now, but it simply got too hot and muggy and I didn't want them to suffocate. |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
July 28, 2008
05:45 PM Post #5334153
| I don't do it this way but the Amish around here recommend letting them out around 4ish. They've done laying and can score some really juicy bugs before going back in for the night. This sounds like about the same pattern GG is recommending.
|
granny_goody
Luther, MI
(Zone 4b)
July 28, 2008
07:29 PM Post #5334691
| Yes, that is about it. We let them out a couple hours before sunset and they stay out for a while then go back into the henhouse for the night. Since we just let the guineas out for the first time today, they will not be let out for a few days until the guineas know where they can go in the coop.
My fence is six feet high plus a foot of floppy chicken wire on the top to keep any flying hens (yep, we had them) in the coop. The guineas will probably not be able to go over that height from the ground. At least I hope so until they know where "home" is.
GG |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
July 28, 2008
07:35 PM Post #5334722
| GG - Do you also do (what someone somewhere mentioned about) the introducing new birds at night thing? Just curious...
|
granny_goody
Luther, MI
(Zone 4b)
July 28, 2008
08:14 PM Post #5334950
| No, I have two sections to my henhouse, plus we have two sections to the coop. This is the first year we have had to use all three different places to keep the chicks. When we first put the hatchlings and bought red sex-links (we had put them together in a pen in the garage) out, we put them in the upper coop which has a metal shed for shelter. Then when we put the keets and their rooster companions out, we put chicken wire over the opening between the henhouse and its expansion and hardware cloth over the chicken door to the expansion. At this time we let the hatchlings mingle with the adults (after about two weeks of being alongside each other) and kept the keets locked up in the expansion. Today we opened the big door on the expansion and let all of them mingle.
We might have to weed out the hatchling roosters if they take to fighting or attacking the keets. But we will give it about a week to sort out things out if they can. If not, the hatchling roosters will go into the upper coop until time for freezer camp.
GG |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 28, 2008
11:05 PM Post #5336091
| I introduce new hens at night if they are going straight in. Although..now that we raise our own from eggs...we do have a divider until they are big enough to fend for themselves. Ever since we have had chickens, I let them out every morning as soon as I get up, and then lock them when the sun goes down. They nearly always return to the coop to lay their eggs, and if ever I find them anywhere else..I lock all the hens in for a day or two, and then they remember. I have never lost a hen while out free ranging...only from the badger that burrowed in at night over a year ago. |
granny_goody
Luther, MI
(Zone 4b)
July 28, 2008
11:35 PM Post #5336276
| Well, one of our keets decided the world looked better outside the coop. When DH went out to put them up, it flew over the fence out into the woods. Hopefully it will be back in the morning. I certainly hope so. But if not, so be it.
GG
Yes, he did look for it, but I guess it went further out instead of coming back around the side of the coop. |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
July 29, 2008
08:50 AM Post #5337330
| GG - hope your baby returns!!
We had ours totally free range, night and day, and never lost one until the day that stinkin' fox came. 5 beautiful chicks who had just graduated to the big birds coop lost in 5 minutes while I was at the neighbors! |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 29, 2008
08:57 AM Post #5337359
| Grow, at what age did you let them free range. With out any older keets? Would my older chickens about a month old help. |
granny_goody
Luther, MI
(Zone 4b)
July 29, 2008
10:05 AM Post #5337705
| Grow, yes, it was out there when DH went out this morning. It just roosted in the woods last night. It's safe and sound (I hope) now with its buddies. We are keeping alll the poultry in the coop (yard) for the next few days so they get used to it and then we plan on letting them free range in the evenings like we have been doing.
I am thinking we are going to have to separate the young roosters in a very short time. They are 4mths old now and starting to show their machismo. I want to maybe keep two for breeding, but don't know which ones to keep. We are going to have to wait until the smallest ones get old enough to see what they are. They are the ones we got when we got the keets from Ideal in May, making them only 2-1/2 months old now. We don't know if they are BOs, or not. If they are, we might keep two of them instead two of the Aussies.
GG |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
July 29, 2008
10:23 AM Post #5337818
| At about 10-12 wks and they had sibs a month older they were palling around with, all staying close to the main shed where everyone (except the cow) lives. they had been doing really well, just wanting to stay out a little later than was good for them. Teenagers!
The chicks enclosure (sorry, coop!) is right beside the main shed where our chickens lay and roost. I never let them out until they can fly up a good 3' or so and can cuss the cats. We introduce every bird on the property to our dogs and cats as "babies" which means they are supposed to take care and not eat. they differentiate beautifully and one BC mix (We have 2), Sugar has gotten really good about watching them and chasing off the fox while the other, Baxter, herds them away from the road, porch, cat food, or any other forbidden locales.
OK, I have to ask now...what are and aren't keets? I've learned mostly by trial and error and gleanings. On Google I found an Orca and parakeets- then bagged it, swallowed my pride and asked here.:0 |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 29, 2008
10:31 AM Post #5337867
| Keets not to sure what your ? is but they are young Guinea someone told me under 6 months old. Yea I tell my dogs these are babies but they are just not figuring it out, They are not eating them they just want to play. Gus my 9 month old dog, was found playing with one this morning, he got a swift kick in the behind. HE knows better. My poodle got the dead chick up side his head a few nights ago and now he WILL NOT even look at them let alone come into the yard. |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
July 29, 2008
12:40 PM Post #5338463
| Ouch! We only have herding dogs here. Have been very careful about being specific with any task we give them. For a while they wanted to rescue the hens from the roosters and that took a bit of explaining;) Otherwise so far so good. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 29, 2008
12:44 PM Post #5338483
| LOL i can imagine that. I might get another blue healer, we had one that someone we know stole him, his name was smirnoff. The best dog ever. We couldnt even spank a kid with that dog around. He was the best. Healers dont dig. GP's do. |
Patchouli78
Foley, MO
July 29, 2008
04:26 PM Post #5339460
| I have an Australian Cattle dog (blue healer), he is the best breed of dog I have ever owned! Smart as heck. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 29, 2008
08:21 PM Post #5340565
| Oh gosh yes, I will get another one |
Photographer
Moxee, WA
(Zone 4a)
July 30, 2008
05:46 PM Post #5345347
| Patch,
How is your dog around the poultry or do you keep them seperate? My 6 yr old is pestering me for a puppy.
Kelly in Moxee |
MissJestr
Kingman, AZ
(Zone 7a)
July 30, 2008
06:27 PM Post #5345464
| My Blue Heeler is still a pup, under 8 months old.. She spied the chicken the other day when I took her with me to the coop... Oh she wanted to get out there and play with them, but I would not let her in.. Just not yet. Billy the boy is getting where he loves to go in there with them, and there is one hen that is 3 months old that lets him pick her up and pet her.
I got a new camera today and plan on taking pictures of my chickens and Billy tonight.. Will post them tomorrow...
|
Patchouli78
Foley, MO
July 30, 2008
11:26 PM Post #5347023
| To be honest, his desire to herd is STRONG. However, my cattle dog knows no means no. Once I establish they are not to be chased, that's the end of it. He might chase the neighbor's cats if they appear over here, but would not chase ours. He leaves all of "ours" alone with one exception; the sheep. For some reason (herder), he cannot leave the poor sheep alone. The minute they start running around he wants to herd. I could modify this behavior and teach him to use it but I just don't have the time. They truly are spectacular dogs IMHO if you have the space, time, and understanding. They are not for the weak minded or couch potato. |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
July 30, 2008
11:33 PM Post #5347041
| My poor border collie cannot control the urge to herd--but with him it is limited to the other dogs who strangely put up with it. I would really like to get at least some Indian Runners for him--but can't right now.
Now if we could only train the herding dogs to wait until just before dark to herd the chickens in, close the door behind them, spend the night guarding them, open the door the next morning--leave them alone all day and put them to bed again at night. That would eliminate the need for an automatic door closer all together.
Maybe we could break it down into small steps?
|
Patchouli78
Foley, MO
July 30, 2008
11:39 PM Post #5347062
| Now THAT would be spectacular! |
Texasescimo
Argyle, TX
(Zone 7b)
July 31, 2008
06:49 AM Post #5347515
| http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/door_opener.htm
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3120
I have been considering on of those openers that Lindono mentioned for a couple of years. Probably would have saved some chickens if I had bought one and figured out how to put it together.
I have one of those doggie doors with a transmitter that we had bought so our dogs could come in and go out but our cat and wild critters could not. Ours had a transmitter that fits on the collar. It would make a noise unlatching as the dogs approached and would scare the dogs away. Probably could have trained them not to get spooked but decided to take off the transmitters. Even if they sould have used it, they would have to push it open after it unlatched which would be hard for a chicken. A clever person could possibly alter that device or get an idea from it as Catscan mentioned. |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
July 31, 2008
06:33 PM Post #5350195
| Thanks for the links. My idea will work much differently then these. The door I have designed will lock in place when it is open or closed, to keep things from pushing the door up or open. The european door seems like it would be pretty costly when you buy everything, and I am not sure I would like the string that pulls it open. Seems like too many things could happen to that little motor or string. Hmmm...definately interesting links though! |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 15, 2008
09:02 AM Post #5553847
| Ok...so we have our prototype finished! YEAH! We have been using it for the last week, and it works fabulously. We actually left for the weekend, and our hens were able to free range from dawn to dusk without us here. They were all in the coop by 7:15 or so, and the door closed at 8 using a photocell. (it also opens first thing in the morning the same way)
My DH is working on finding companies to mass produce the circuuit boards, and do to the sheet metal work. I told him he needs to also make sure we offer an option of solar for power since not everyone has electricity running to their coop. He said that would drive the cost up conciderably, so I thought I would ask you guys and see what you recommend.
How many of you have power in your coops already? And how much do you think you would be willing to pay for a solid, safe, fully assembled door? I will try to get a video of the door operating on a website sometime this week. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
September 15, 2008
09:30 AM Post #5553945
| Can you let us know about how much it cost to put it together and how long it would take to make another one knowing how to do it now? I am very very interested in it. |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 15, 2008
10:00 AM Post #5554032
| The mechanicals cost about $70, the sheet metal fabrication (he had a friend do it) cost $80, the sliders, photocell, and other odd parts were about $25. So all together I am guessing it was somewhere around $175. Plus we built the circuits and put it all together ourselves. It is cool because it is a complete door (versus the one sold in the UK). All you would have to do is install this inside the coop, and plug it in. It is made of all stainless steel. The one from the UK looks like it could cost up to $300 or more, but it works on a string. (this is the estimate I got from their site: €209.15, US$297.74 Approx.) this is the cost for the motor, door, and timer...again...you would have to set a timer. Ours works with a photocell, so it would not require any adjusting with the seasons. I am thinking that we may sell them for around $200 total cost, and that includes us assembling them. We dont plan to make much on these... but gain the satisfaction of actually building and selling something cool that works! |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 15, 2008
10:02 AM Post #5554048
| Ours is also self-locking. I tried getting in after the door had closed, and I couldnt get it to budge. I am excited about this because we free range our chickens every day, and all year round. This way we can still go on vacations...and stay out late on weekends without having to plan ahead and keep them locked up all day, or have to call a neighbor to ask them to come up and close in the chickens. I LOVE this door! |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
September 15, 2008
10:04 AM Post #5554059
| Get it patented or registered or whatever! |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 15, 2008
10:06 AM Post #5554068
| We are working on that now as well. We have it pending. But WOW it is so expencive! |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
September 15, 2008
10:12 AM Post #5554092
| well, hopefully the mass assembly will bring the price down a little. i am sure some folks could pay more. but my setup has multiple doors, so 150 is comfy for me...
BIG CONGRATS!!! |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
September 15, 2008
10:13 AM Post #5554095
| wow that is awesome, now about how much does it weigh? Still very interested. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
September 15, 2008
10:14 AM Post #5554098
| also would it be big enough for a large turkey to use also. |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 15, 2008
10:29 AM Post #5554165
| We could make these in different sizes. The open door is 10x10 or 12x12 (cant remember which, but could find out). The entire assembly weighs 2-3lbs. The steel is pretty heavy dudy, but we could opt for a lighter weight if we mass produce. Heading out, but will have more info later. Still waiting to hear back from our patent attorney. |
SuzeScott
Tempe, AZ
(Zone 9a)
September 15, 2008
10:59 AM Post #5554295
| For power, any way it can work off a battery for those who don;t have power near their coops? Or have a battery backup in case of power outages?
Suze
|
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
September 15, 2008
11:01 AM Post #5554299
| I have a solar powered battery charger, I wonder... |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 15, 2008
04:47 PM Post #5555652
| Well that is exactly what we are looking into. Power outages wont affect this door as it opens and then locks in place. No power runs to it except for when the photocell tells it to. So the only power outage that woudl affect the door would be if it occurred just before dusk, and lasted well into the night. Otherwise it will stay open without power during the day, and stay shut if power is lost at night.
For those without power we are looking into a solar panel and battery. That is, of coarse, something that will cost extra. We havent found a distributor yet...so we still need to figure that one out. |
ralph15949
Robinson, PA
September 16, 2008
10:56 PM Post #5561644
| my brother works for wayne dalton they make garage doors they also make a home control you can run things from your pc and even from the internet .or create timed events set up days of week or sunrise sunset and so on that was the first thing i thought of when i started reading automatic door
http://www.wayne-dalton.com/newsitem103.asp
ralph
This message was edited Sep 16, 2008 10:12 PM |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 17, 2008
10:31 AM Post #5563189
| We had concidered a timer with this originally, but that would have required a lot of work to constantly change times as the days got longer or shorter. My husband is a computer programmer and thought of making this computer controlled...but again it would be work. I wanted something where I could just...as they say, 'Set it and forget it' hahaha...and that is what we have. For the last several weeks I have not had to go out early in the morning to let out the chickens, or wait til they are all in to close the door. Their feed has been lasting longer, and the coop is much cleaner then before. I have found several new benifits to this door. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
September 17, 2008
10:41 AM Post #5563228
| when will you have another one done? |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 17, 2008
10:51 AM Post #5563267
| We are trying to figure that out now. We want to try to get a list of how many people would be interested, and that will help us cut cost, and in exchange we can sell them for less. After just the couple weeks of having ours done, I am fast realizing that this is worth so much more then I thought. Before I just wanted to stay out later...but the benifts are so cool. If we had to make just a couple by hand, then the cost may be higher, but I can ask my husband if he would be interested. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
September 17, 2008
10:58 AM Post #5563294
| sweet i am for sure interested. Do you have a paypal account. Might be a good idea if you dont. |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 17, 2008
11:01 AM Post #5563318
| I sure do. I run a cleaning service, and some of my customers pay me with paypal. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
September 17, 2008
11:02 AM Post #5563325
| sweet. Let me know what hubby says. |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 17, 2008
11:09 AM Post #5563349
| He said that he would want to wait for a little while either way. He is in the quality control stage now. He has been monitoring when the door opens, and closes, and what time the chickens are in before that. It looks like it is giving them about 30-45 minutes after the last one is in before it closes. One other concern is ice. If we get freezing rain, it could freeze the assembly, and cause the door to not open or close. So I am working on an awning of sorts that could be installed in the winter if the door is being used in an open area exposed to the elements.
I will keep you guys up to date on this, but let me know who else would be interested. It would really help out to get an idea of how many we could look into making at once, and that would help us find out how much they are going to cost ect.
-Melissa |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
September 17, 2008
11:10 AM Post #5563353
| okie dokie that is fine. |
amyduck
Oakland, CA
September 22, 2008
01:51 AM Post #5583541
| Mcamden, I'm new here and interested too... but only if it is pretty soon. I have a new job and won't be able to get home in time to put the girls in! It's causing me so much stress to get home before dark and it is getting dark quickly - and soon, I won't be able to do it at all. They love to be out so much I just don't have the heart to keep them in all day, so I'm going to have to buy something soon. Thanks! |
Photographer
Moxee, WA
(Zone 4a)
September 22, 2008
11:57 AM Post #5584882
| Melissa,
I can make a helpful suggestion to assist your husband's design. The awing to prevent snow/ice build-up might be better adapted ... if it is removable and collapsible. This awning apparatus could also have light weight clear plastic strips for the birds to see and walk through (like a cat/dog door) but prevent blown snow from blocking the awning or passage way. Most people are concerned about snow and ice for just 1-2 months ... many not at all.
Kelly in Moxee |
CMoxon
Urbandale, IA
(Zone 5a)
September 22, 2008
03:12 PM Post #5585630
| Yes, but definitely keep it available, because there are those of us with snow and ice for 4 months and more! |
amyduck
Oakland, CA
September 22, 2008
11:15 PM Post #5587629
| P.S. I don't have snow and ice... so don't let that keep you from releasing a fair-weather version soon! |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 23, 2008
09:39 AM Post #5588581
| Thanks for all the info. We are not waiting for the awning to be done in order to get these out. He is mostly negotiating with manufacturers at this point. I am keeping him up to date on everyones comments, and he is working as hard as possible to get some put together. We will end up assembling them by hand, and that took some time with our first one. The sooner we sell them, the more they will cost. That is why we are waiting...trying to get the best prices to produce each part, which will in turn make the total assemly cheaper to sell. |
amyduck
Oakland, CA
September 23, 2008
10:30 AM Post #5588810
| Just wondering, since it is getting really stressful for me to get home on time... what is the earliest you might get these out? Not a promise, just an estimate! I may break down and go with the UK model... Thanks! |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
September 23, 2008
06:09 PM Post #5590476
| NO! I would not recommend the UK model. First of all...it is $300. Second of all...it sucks. It is a motor that pulls a string to raise and lower the door. Ours has a steel arm that opens, closes, and locks the door. If you want to spend $300...then I could probably push my Dh to do just one for now. To actually start selling on a larger scale...may not be for 2-3 months or so. |
walterd
Chapel Hill, NC
October 02, 2008
02:02 PM Post #5625716
| Let me chime in here as a newcomer who has been trying to find a low cost automatic door opener for a while - in preparation for putting up a coop this spring.
The UK model you are referencing is actually made in Germany but largely being sold out of England. I'm sure you can find it on German chicken web sites too but I for one don't read or speak German and so am unlikely to wander across them. They have been in production for a few years, and I have read review after review of people who are totally satisfied with them. I have yet to find any criticism in their operation beyond having to replace the batteries (4-AA's) every year or two, and a couple people that thought they opened too early and closed too late (in the realm of 15-45 minutes). I have not found anyone using them who has lost a bird to a predator. I also have a neighbor who has one who swears by it. So despite the impression of a string being used to open and close the door might be to you - it is clear to me that it doesn't 'suck'.
The downside IS the cost, but I think you are overstating what that is. You can buy the base unit for about $140. If you want to ADD ON a timer (as an alternative to sunrise/sunset - either/or) add on ~$50. If you want their door instead of your own its another $~40 (pricing here seems to vary depending on the page and order bundle). So getting the functional equivalent of what you are proposing would run under $200 including the door and assuming reasonable shipping costs. It will not 'lock' the door in a closed position, but I have found references to door designs that make this a non-issue. One version can be mounted inside the coop with the photo sensor running to the outside to detect daylight - a very nice feature in my mind.
See for yourself here: http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/backyard/
There are a few other folks selling them online - prices seem mostly to be the same or higher.
I've been very surprised that these VSB units are pretty much all I've been able to find - nothing in the US. While the home chicken market might be small, I would have thought there would be other applications that utilize the same thing. My hope was to find something under $100 - ideally well under. But I haven't even found what seem to be decent DIY ideas. A chicken coop is NOT doable without an automatic door for me, so this has been frustrating.
I was thrilled to read that mcamden was working on an alternative - until I got to the expected pricing. For what is essentially the same cost I would be more inclined to go with a proven product than something that may not be functioning in 6 months. But if you could get the price down significantly I would be game to try it. If you could sell this for say $80/unit (w/o door) you would likely OWN the US market for years to come as low effort chicken raising continues to grow in popularity.
You'd mentioned using magnets earlier ... I'm not sure if those factored into the prototype or not, but it occurred to me that motors from automobile window openers should be used. Runs off a 12 volt battery, has about the same travel distance, and junk yards all over the nation have to have thousands of these sitting around (no idea how they would hold up over time). Just thought I'd pass that idea along since your husband is obviously pretty handy.
|
InnBetween
Newton, AL
October 02, 2008
07:19 PM Post #5626787
| I bought an automatic door that has a light sensor and a timer. You can use either one you want to. It works great. He is in Wales. the info is below. great guy super product. keeps me from having to get up at the crack of dawn or like you say if you get delayed in town or something.
Wells Poultry Housing
The Bungalow
Twyncynghordy
NP23 4HJ
http://www.chicken-house.co.uk
01495 313838 / 07970 517938
|
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
October 02, 2008
09:46 PM Post #5627261
| Walterd-
I went to the site you are referring to. I selected one opener, one door, one timer, and the required one pully minimum. With shipping, and the conversion rate...it came to a total of $261.414 american dollars.
|
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
October 02, 2008
09:47 PM Post #5627263
|
The following postcodes are classed as Highlands and Islands IV, HS, KA27-28, KW, PA20-49, PA60-78, PH17-26, PH30-44, PH49-50, ZE, BT, IM, TR21-25.
Item Name Quantity Price Total
vsb (b, Timer, Hen, 1 x ur, airmail) (remove) £148.00 £148.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal £148.00
Current shipping is Please SelectAir Mail Shipping £0.00
Your Location : United States - Iowa - change
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currency is British Pound Total £148.00
Click on the 'Checkout' button to pay for these items (€187.89, US$261.41 Approx.)
|
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
October 02, 2008
09:54 PM Post #5627284
| And for just the unit, and the door (no pully or timer) it is US$192.53 Approx.
I am sure this is a wonderful door, but despite those saying it works for them, I would not feel comfortable where I am located. We have badgers and racoons who can get into anything, and with a door that is steel, and locks when it closes, I know that nothing is getting in.
Our door does not require options other then a solar panel for those without power. It is a single unit, and everything is included. I would not want to take a chance with my flock that the day the batteries die is a day when I don't happen to notice. It took one night last year to loose out entire flock, and I said I would not deal with that again.
I don't need to convice the world that our idea is better then anyone else's. I just know that I have not found anything in this country like this. Please let me know if you have, but I have spent a lot of time looking. I came up with my idea for me, and my chickens. It was the interest I received from othere here that made me feel like pursuing the idea of producing these for everyone else. You dont have to buy it, and you certainly dont have to like it. But I love mine more them my new memory foam bed, more then our new LCD tv, and ALMOST as much as having a paved driveway instead of rock!
Melissa |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
October 03, 2008
10:16 AM Post #5628854
| I for one will buy one form Melissa and her hubby. I don't want to make a political statement but I would prefer to keep my money locally. Plus I would assume that the shipping from her in the US would be a bit cheaper. Let me know when you are ready Melissa. |
mcamden
Glenwood, IA
October 03, 2008
03:20 PM Post #5629888
| Thank you! I will say, that the reason this is going to take a little time is because we are trying to get the best prices as possible for all the parts, and mechanics. We are going to assemble them ourselves to take off even more of the cost, and this will be passed on to everyone else. We dont need to make a fortune on this...heck...my husband already makes the fortune with his regular salary! This is just exciting for us. Its something that is incredibly cool, and that we did together.
I really want to get a little video of our door working, and put that on my website. We will be selling these online when they are all ready, but again...I cant say when yet since we have to wait for the companies we are hiring to build the circuit boards, and the framing for the door. Also trying to get better deals by buying photo cells and other items in bulk. Its a large initial investment for us, over $10,000. I will keep everyone posted though either way. :) I just hope that I can help people to enjoy their chickens the way I do (with very little effort). |
walterd
Chapel Hill, NC
October 09, 2008
08:40 AM Post #5650362
| If you want to go with the timer AND purchase a door ... I agree you are in the ~$250 range. I personally don't see the point in having a timer AND a sunrise/sunset sensor. Everyrthing I'm reading says chickens live by the sun so something that is reliable around its light sensor should be fine. Doors are easy enough to make for nominal $$ - but obviously it would be something simple.
Adding on a solar array to keep a battery charged is a great feature as well. But this would seem to be an expensive feature. Since most people without all this fancy technology are already used to visiting their coop at least once a day I would think that replacing batteries (before they die - say once or twice a year) on a regular basis is easy enough. I would suggest offering a lower cost option without the solar components.
I'd be VERY interested in seeing your door in action! Please post here when you have a visual!
UPDATE FEB 9 2009 (sorry, couldn't get the reply function to work!)
I ended up buying the VSB unit from England. I bought the unit itself, their metal door, and the timer (just in case I want it later). The total was $154 GBP which translated into about $218 USD. This included shipping (which was significant at better than $30), and so considerably less than has been talked about so far on this thread. I expect that changes in the exchange rate helped me out here, though I've not tracked them since this discussion started. I purchased from Wells Poultry and delivery took a little better than a week.
I've not installed it yet (coop still under construction) but expect from feedback made by other customers this will work just fine. I can say at this point that this thing is exceedingly well put together. Sturdy, well machined, and obviously well thought out in terms of layout of the components and choices of materials. Though this will easily be the most expensive component of my coop I think it’s a good investment for anyone needing their chickens to have a higher level of self-sufficiency!
This message was edited Feb 9, 2009 11:52 AM |
amyduck
Oakland, CA
October 10, 2008
02:36 AM Post #5654100
| Hi again, I'm back and I need to get a door... so I'm pricing everything I can find and would love to consider your door. Can you please get in touch with me? I would what you would like for it and how much time you need.
Thanks!
AmyduckATaolcom |
