Recent content by d4ve

Thanks for the tips! The Pi is just there to run meye as a chicken monitor with some spare IR cameras I had laying around, but maybe I should have put it to use opening the door instead. :)

I used the timer/actuator setup from this thread very successfully in my chicken coop for the last year or so, but got tired of having to adjust the timer every few weeks as the light changed. We only had one unfortunate accident, and luckily the chicken lived. I probably should have built it...

Has anyone created a good safety mechanism for automatic coop doors? I built a door for my coop early this year, with a timer and a metal door that slides down on a 12v actuator. Looks a bit like this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRT5WD2/?tag=backy-20 We got a new batch of chickens...

It looks like you attach a string to the motor and it lowers the door as it unspools the string, then winds it back up again in the morning.