# Chicken coop door - avoid chickens getting chopped **URL:** \ **Category:** General Guidance\ **Created:** [February 16, 2023, 9:52am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912 "2023-02-16T09:52:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mikebuercart](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mikebuercart/32/326659_2.png) [@mikebuercart](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mikebuercart)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 9:52am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/1 "2023-02-16T09:52:21Z")
Hi everyone, I'm trying to create a chicken coop door project with arduino uno or mega and I already have a baseline project to follow but some features are missing. First of all let me say I'm trying to recycle what I have at home: arduino boards, sensors, car window lifting motor/mechanism and so on. I would like your opinion on the following: - RTC vs Photoresistor for deciding when opening and closing the door (I think RTC is more reliable) - Wireless connection so I can reach it from the internet and operate manually from distance - "Anti chopped" chicken system (I want the door, when closing, to stop closing if a chicken passes under it - it should re-open. What sensors to use? Infrared, ultrasonic? - would the car window motor be fine to use with arduino or will I burn everything? Any suggestions are apreciated, thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![J-M-L](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/j-m-l/32/766245_2.png) [@J-M-L](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/J-M-L)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 9:59am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/2 "2023-02-16T09:59:05Z")
> [@mikebuercart](#): > > - RTC vs Photoresistor for deciding when opening and closing the door (I think RTC is more reliable) > - Wireless connection so I can reach it from the internet and operate manually from distance > - "Anti chopped" chicken system (I want the door, when closing, to stop closing if a chicken passes under it - it should re-open. What sensors to use? Infrared, ultrasonic? > - would the car window motor be fine to use with arduino or will I burn everything? - RTC is better. Photoresistor won't do a good job (clouds, rainy days, ...). There are libraries giving you the sunset and sunrise times for your latitude and longitude. that's what you could use to trigger the door. - wireless might be of interest, depends how you want to use it. adds complexity and power needs. - your door is moving slowly and chicken are smart enough not to get caught. They might even learn that once they start hearing the motor noise that it's time to go home if they are still outside - any motor is fine, just can't plug it directly into your arduino. You need a driver and dedicated power supply. ---
**Author:** ![mikebuercart](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mikebuercart/32/326659_2.png) [@mikebuercart](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mikebuercart)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 10:35am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/3 "2023-02-16T10:35:46Z")
Hi Jackson, thanks for your reply. 1. For the RTC I would just say, open at 8 am , close at 8 PM 2. I read about someone who built the door and unfortunately found a chicken killed because chopped by the door, that's why I would like to know how to acheive that...also just for knowledge. 3. I will power the whole stuff with a 12v 100ah AGM battery recharged by a 10w solar panel and it's regulator. Will this be enough to power one an engine for that little time it will have to work? I still haven't decided if i will use a linear actuator or a geared box engine (car window lifter) 4. Base on the kind of motor I will use comes another question. If I use a lienar actuator to open and close the door I guess it's impossibile to lift it if not powered (some predator). If I use a window lifter engine I will just use a cable to pull up or release the door, and the door can be easily lifted by any predator because it has no locking system. On the latter, what would you suggest as locking system? Any idea? Thanks so much. ---
**Author:** ![J-M-L](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/j-m-l/32/766245_2.png) [@J-M-L](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/J-M-L)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 11:36am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/4 "2023-02-16T11:36:52Z")
> [@mikebuercart](#): > > read about someone who built the door and unfortunately found a chicken killed because chopped by the door, that's why I would like to know how to acheive that...also just for knowledge. might be an urban legend or they had a very fast door with razor blades underneath ! the typical security system you find for humans in garage door is either motion-detecting sensor or pressure detection (if the motor requires more torque than usual then it means something is obstructing the movement). the other way to do have some sort of passive protection for your chicken door is that the motor pulls the door open (winding a rope) and only the weight of the door is what is getting it back down when you unwind the rope. the door weight is likely not going enough to chop your chicken. (using google translate you could have a look at what @hbachetti posted for his installation in multiple posts [RitonDuino: Porte Motorisée de Poulailler (1ère Partie)](http://riton-duino.blogspot.com/2020/04/porte-motorisee-de-poulailler-1ere.html) and [RitonDuino: Porte Motorisée de Poulailler (2ème Partie)](http://riton-duino.blogspot.com/2020/04/porte-motorisee-de-poulailler-2eme.html) and [RitonDuino: Porte Motorisée de Poulailler (3ème Partie)](https://riton-duino.blogspot.com/2020/05/porte-motorisee-de-poulailler-3eme.html) and [RitonDuino: Porte Motorisée de Poulailler (4ème Partie)](https://riton-duino.blogspot.com/2020/06/porte-motorisee-de-poulailler-4eme.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Idahowalker](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/idahowalker/32/238858_2.png) [@Idahowalker](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Idahowalker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:30pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/5 "2023-02-16T12:30:22Z")
An often done project, perhaps this thing The search box is a useful tool. ![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/9/1/1/911747022edf1c0042b81f449cc2d7fb2b6293f3.jpeg) For instance, using the words such as "9v battery" in the search box one could find lots of reasons why this may be a bad idea. Other search words include "level shifter", "round", "millis()", "move servos in increments" and words such as "chicken coop", might be of help. Especially with the door chop chicken thing. ---
**Author:** ![Idahowalker](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/idahowalker/32/238858_2.png) [@Idahowalker](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Idahowalker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/6 "2023-02-16T12:33:08Z")
> [@mikebuercart](#): > > power the whole stuff with a 12v 100ah AGM battery recharged by a 10w solar panel and it's regulator. I have a 12V LiFePo4 16Amh battery. It takes 60W of solar cells to charge it. Somewhere on the internet is a type the numbers in the boxes formula that calculates how much solar power is needed to charge X battery at X consumption thingy. ---
**Author:** ![Idahowalker](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/idahowalker/32/238858_2.png) [@Idahowalker](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Idahowalker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:34pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/7 "2023-02-16T12:34:53Z")
> [@mikebuercart](#): > > On the latter, what would you suggest as locking system? Any idea? solenoid. ---
**Author:** ![PaulRB](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paulrb/32/216330_2.png) [@PaulRB](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/PaulRB)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:46pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/8 "2023-02-16T12:46:06Z")
> [@mikebuercart](#): > > For the RTC I would just say, open at 8 am , close at 8 PM Chickens do not go to roost at fixed times, it depends on the season. So unless you live close to the equator, you will want the times to follow sunrise/sunset at your location. ---
**Author:** ![GrandPete](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/grandpete/32/1126625_2.png) [@GrandPete](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/GrandPete)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:57pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/9 "2023-02-16T12:57:16Z")
Hi! great project. As said before, you should find equivalent example in this forum. For the anti-chopped system, my first though is a PIR detector (react to heat emitted by birds and mammals). Some are cheap (and absolutely not configurable wich is a pain to me) but could do the trick. Set it on during a period around the closure/opening hour, but disable it during night, or any fox roaming around may trigger it. ---
**Author:** ![Idahowalker](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/idahowalker/32/238858_2.png) [@Idahowalker](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Idahowalker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:01pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/10 "2023-02-16T13:01:26Z")
This library works very good for determining sunset/sunrise. > [@SolarCalculator library for Arduino](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/solarcalculator-library-for-arduino/931455/19): > > Latest version 1.0.2 should show up in the library manager any time and is significantly more lightweight after the removal of superfluous delta T equations. I use a photodiode to detect daylight/nightlight a lot more reliable over a LDR. ---
**Author:** ![mikebuercart](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mikebuercart/32/326659_2.png) [@mikebuercart](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mikebuercart)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:01pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/11 "2023-02-16T13:01:50Z")
Good idea. Do you know any arduinbo module with the PIR on it? I would turn it on by code only during closing time and once closed it would be turned off. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![J-M-L](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/j-m-l/32/766245_2.png) [@J-M-L](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/J-M-L)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:03pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/12 "2023-02-16T13:03:53Z")
there are tons of ready to use module. just type "Arduino PIR" in your favorite on line market place ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/c/7/0/c70b64170f57732d0fbfc6c16ccba925d586ed52.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![mikebuercart](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mikebuercart/32/326659_2.png) [@mikebuercart](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mikebuercart)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:03pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/13 "2023-02-16T13:03:54Z")
Thanks for the suggestion, I will give it a look. I really don't know the difference between a Photodiode and a LDR. I must study 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Idahowalker](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/idahowalker/32/238858_2.png) [@Idahowalker](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Idahowalker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/14 "2023-02-16T13:09:03Z")
I found that a LDR with its hysteresis. Can be off by 30 minutes or so on a day to day basis when detecting sunlight. ---
**Author:** ![mikebuercart](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mikebuercart/32/326659_2.png) [@mikebuercart](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mikebuercart)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/15 "2023-02-16T13:09:16Z")
> [@J-M-L](#): > > Arduino PIR I would love to live near the equator but unfortunately I live in Italy. I know that chicken don't have fixed times, I have several ones, but I thought that fixed times could do the work, but I think it's better working as you said on sunset/sunrise based on location. Any suggestions for the code? ---
**Author:** ![mikebuercart](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mikebuercart/32/326659_2.png) [@mikebuercart](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mikebuercart)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/16 "2023-02-16T13:10:56Z")
Wow, thanks. Where would you mount that sensor? On a fixed side of the door frame? I must study more because I don't know the range of detection of these sensors. Thanks for the idea ---
**Author:** ![Idahowalker](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/idahowalker/32/238858_2.png) [@Idahowalker](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Idahowalker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:11pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/17 "2023-02-16T13:11:43Z")
I suggest having the project make a distinctive noise moments before closing the door so that the chickens learn noise means go into coop door is about to close get inside. ---
**Author:** ![mikebuercart](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mikebuercart/32/326659_2.png) [@mikebuercart](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mikebuercart)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/18 "2023-02-16T13:13:31Z")
Searching LDR or Photoresistor gives me always same results - Do you have a link for the one you suggest me? ---
**Author:** ![mikebuercart](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mikebuercart/32/326659_2.png) [@mikebuercart](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mikebuercart)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:14pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/19 "2023-02-16T13:14:40Z")
I love that idea, it's clever. I already trained them with a whistling I do to call them, I could just reproduce somehow that whistle to call them. ---
**Author:** ![mikebuercart](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/mikebuercart/32/326659_2.png) [@mikebuercart](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/mikebuercart)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912/20 "2023-02-16T13:16:06Z")
> [@Idahowalker](#): > > photodiode Sorry, I was wrong searching, you correctly wrote Photodiode and I was searching Photoresistor. Found it. Thanks > **[Photodiode Light Detector with Arduino](https://www.ee-diary.com/2021/08/photodiode-light-detector-with-arduino.html)** > > How to use Photodiode as a light sensor with Arduino [Next page](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/chicken-coop-door-avoid-chickens-getting-chopped/1090912.md?page=2)