[sprinter]

Hello everybody,
I havn't got any chickens yet, I am just getting prepared by designing a hen house and reading anything I can find about poultry keeping and by looking at this forum and a couple of others.
While looking on the forums I got interested in automatic pop hole openers
and decided to make one. If I knew how to post a picture I would.
All the parts were bought from Maplins and cost about £10.00 and are housed in a small plastic sanwich box  The parts required are 1 small electric motor plus worm and gear, 1 clock movement and hands,  1 paddle switch, cable and connectors. It is a bit Heath Robinson but looks neat in the plasic box and has worked well in test conditions. If somebody can tell me how to post a picture I will.

[Bodger]

I'm sure someone will be along to show you how but I for one will be really interested to get a gander at your device. At the moment I have a twice daily ritual of first opening more than a dozen pop holes and then in the evening closing them.

[Flyin Chickens]

is this mains powered???

sound interesting and something that I would like

Even opening one coop a day can be a pain in the rain.

[Aunt Sally]

You'll find all you need to know about posting pictures in the help topic.

Just scroll down a bit:

Help Topic

[babe]

no matter what the weather, i love letting them all out in the morning, and its gives me a chance to give each one a good look over as they file out one by one.

i also like to go to bed knowing that everyone is back inside safe and sound for the night.

[Bodger]

Thinking about it, I'd probably still have to go out and check that the gizmo had worked each night.

[Aunt Sally]

as they file out one by one.

Mine come out like a cork out of a bottle    

[richyrich7]

as they file out one by one.

Mine come out like a cork out of a bottle    

Mine go out 1 by 1 getting a peck up the butt from the one behind  :roll:

[tallulah]

Great bit of frugality there.  After a couple of years of v early mornings and interrupted nights out, to dash home to shut the hens in, I bought an automatic gizmo wotsit thingummy.  Really overpriced, but it has transformed our lives!  I still check up on the girls twice a day, but it gives me that feeling of security, specially if I'm not home before dark.

[Bodger]

as they file out one by one.

Mine come out like a cork out of a bottle    

and so do your chickens !    

[Aunt Sally]

I'm sure I have no idea what you mean Bodger dear  :roll:

[MontyTom]

would love to see home made one and the plans to build.

I bought one of the axt electronics ones and it's great.  I do check on them before and after dark but sometimes don't get the opportunity till late so it is a real help.  plus it does quite often let them out before I get to them.  a real help for the birds I keep 2 miles away from home.  the birds at home I open and close up manually (not that idle).

i am in the middle of adding more runs so will possibly need some more.  better get saving!  can't praise them enough.

[chickychick]

this sounds brilliant I would love to have a go at making one myself!!!

any chance of showing the plans and giving a bit more info?

I hate getting up early at weekends and am scared still I will forget to shut them up one night so I often end up going down the garden to check I did it anyway so this would be a big help.

Please do tell us more about it sounds brilliant to me!  

[slowef]

Think I would still check though I trust nothing these days machines can go wrong :?  Just my luck it would not work and Mr Foxy would be in like a shot.

 :idea: Sounds a fab invention though look forward to seeing it
xx

[Foxy]

I have the same one as Monty - I have two on the big sheds. Been using them for over a year not once let me down. They are fantastic, as it is impossible for me to get home by 4.30pm. I know they are on offer at £68.00 just now -expensive I know but for me personally would never forgive myself if I lost birds because I didn't home in time which happened to my neghbours and in 3 weeks lost an entire flock to Mr Reynard.