check this gaget out its amazing i just saw it .

hello i just going on ebay and have spoted this . 
i think this will be my next idea and try and make one .
check it out have a look .  let me know what you guys think .

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Automatic-Chicken-House-Door-Opener_W0QQitemZ310112790297QQihZ021QQcategoryZ46292QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

I prefer to do it myself, that way I see my girls in and out and I know who's back in before shutting up  ok if your out before light but I don't think I'd trust one to lock them back up

it's quite complicated unless you're into electronics/electrical design. Wish you luck.

Rob

i think for some people this could be invaluable (ie, those who have to work odd hours and need their chooks to be safely shut away at night or let out in the morning when they can't be there) however, i love to let my girls out in the morning, ( Pip and i fight over it) i can see exactly who's ok and who's not, if there is a problem i can pick up on it, it's the same at bedtime, if Pip and i hadn't been there to put Pumpkin to bed (and kissed him goodnight) we wouldn't have noticed his gammy eye, we wouldn't have known he had mycoplasma, it could have infected all of them (and possibly killed them)
 for what it is and what it does i think it's expensive.

Lets be honest a machine can't replace a good stockperson and good animal husbandry. I know some people have to use them. But I personally think if you can avoid using one you should.