DIY / Cheap automatic door opener (drawbridge type)

[jbalmer]

I need to try and make a solution to opening the coop door early am. I normally let them out about 7.30-8 but since it got really light, this feather pecking has emerged and i figured i need a solution to letting them out when it is dawn (besides me putting the alarm on early!!). Ive seen the VSBs which would be about £130 by the time i have bought all the bits. I wondered if anyone had made a diy on or found an alternative solution that would work for a coop with a drawbridge type of door?

[RichmondHens]

My father years and years ago made one using an alarm clock which somehow tripped a latch and opened the door, but unless you like tinkering about with "experiments" it might be easier to fork out for the real thing!!

[di]

If I was going to do it I think I'd spend the money on the real thing...I'd be worried it didn't work one time?...would you just be using it to open up in the morning or also to shut in?
Ours have to just put up with waiting til after 7 to be let out...although they are always eager,they don't seem too bothered.lso,being at the lottie there's often people coming & going after that,whereas if we opened them earlier I'd be more worried about foxes!...but then I am a little over anxious at times!
Some free range farmers don't let theirs out until about midday to ensure eggs are laid first.

[Flummery]

Mine cost about £80. Worth every penny!

[frias]

Mine cost about £80. Worth every penny!

I have searched but can't find one that cheap. Well done Flumm, you obviously found a bargain.

[Flummery]

P&T Poultry in Wales. I also think Wells Poultry does the same. I didn't need any other bits - my door is an up and down one. If you had a sideways one you'd need the pulley bits too.

[janeyo]

We made the first one using solar panels and bits and bobs. The electronics worked well (I shoudl hope so too as this is OH's job lol) but the 'mechanical' bit couldn't keep up and it used to discharge and get tangled if we were away for some reason.
So we bought one, about £80, never had a problem with it in a year. Worth it for the extra time in bed

[jbalmer]

I havent been bothered about them being in till 8am / 9am previously, its just this feather picking of the other hen that i think would be prevented if i could let them out earlier. Im not bothered about shutting them in i will do this its just the letting out. I think the pecking order must have changed since one hen of 3 died a couple of months ago and together with the lighter mornings the pecking started

[Gwyndy]

Become an MP, employ a chooky hut door opener, and charge for it on expenses. Just a thought!!

[RichmondHens]

You could always get another hen ................ :-)

[jbalmer]

Yep, i think i will do that as well i will get 2 but am away for 2 days next week so will wait till after that as i will need to 'be around' when introducing the newbies (which im not looking forward to..) I think a door opener would still be useful for when i am away though even though my neighbours help out

[bluemoon]

If you get up at 4.30 am and quickly throw the quilt back over you can let them out and be back in a nice snug bed and back asleep within minutes. This works for me and our lottie is 3 miles away. My next plan was better though, break a toe then nudge OH at 4.30am and claim to be unable to walk to the car. Stroke of genius that was.

[Emmylou]

My father years and years ago made one using an alarm clock which somehow tripped a latch and opened the door, but unless you like tinkering about with "experiments" it might be easier to fork out for the real thing!!

That sounds like something from Wallace&Grommit!
I wish I had one though!

[jbalmer]

GEtting up at 4.30am to travel 3 miles to let them out is true devotion indeed bluemoon!! and as devoted as i am to my girls, including spending far to much time in the garden in the day with them, talking and with them attempting to roll over and dirtbathe on my knee i just cant rise from my pit before 7am on a regular basis

[bluemoon]

It isn't really getting up, more a slight interruption to normal sleep! It actually works best for me because when I finally get up properly I can just get ready for work and go. Whereas if I had the chooks to deal with too I'd be rushing round like the proverbial blue bummed fly. I'm not the world's most organised person.