Automatic Wifi Chicken Feeder | Full Tutorial

This uses an #arduino called a Particle Photon. The complete parts list is available here on my blog post about this project: joedidit.com/?p=25
STOP! Go grab a cup of coffee, sit back and watch.
I'm sure there's something to learn here even if you don't ever intend to own chickens. This tutorial covers the hardware and software for controlling a chicken feed dispensing machine that you can control from your smartphone anywhere in the world!
This was supposed to be a short #tutorial, but it ended up being an all encompassing #electronics engineering project (which is just the kind I love!)
#engineer #engineering #software

[@JoeDidItTV]

If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch this feeder in action every day on the 24/7 live stream here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGGokJSQaqhjrpo

[@jureekelder2914]

Hi Joe, could you make a video or instruction on how to create the livestream? How to set up the cameras and so on? Would be really cool!

[@avteching]

yes Joe , I'm wonder the same thing about the cameras and streaming.

[@adamruen1068]

Same Joe, would like to see how to connect my coop to a private live stream. Thanks

[@annamariaiannacito5291]

Great!!!! He's intelligent, ambitious, articulate, handsome, sensitive, empathetic, and has an incredible supportive, beautiful and talented wife and a lovely daughter.....Wow!!!! People do not get any more impressive than they are! They make this world a better place, seriously!!! Thank you Joe and Laura. I have two Delawares and two Easter-eggers, who have been in their coop for one week, surrounded by a large critter-proof dog kennel with a roof. They are adorable!

[@Tia-Marie]

I wonder how well this would work as a feeding trough for a teenager.

[@polie67]

45 min of food capacity

[@kade_13]

Cutest lab assistant ever. 😂

[@Illumynatii]

First, I just wanted to say thank you for the informative & enjoyable content. I really hope you continue and look forward to seeing more. As a software engineer, I would love to see a video around how you set up the device to log information to a database, send out SMS alerts and generally integrate it with a front-end web interface that is accessible from outside the LAN, like you mentioned toward the end of the video.

[@uspittbullbreader]

That’s the most impressive tutorial I’ve seen for the same quality feeder!!! My wife and I are starting a farm and need to automate like this since we also have an “off farm” income. I plan on doing the same and using the other three ports to feed the dogs, goats, and open/close the chicken door on my portable coop. I just hope I can figure out the code as well as you did. Only change for the control on my end is I may just use the WiFi to keep a door closed or feed again when I’m in proximity rather than internet based or WiFi as it’ll be a good distance from the house. Keep up the great work!

[@marvinfuller8069]

Very cool project Joe. I’m so tired of seeing people post videos of turning on an LED. Your video is much better since you are actually doing something with microcontrollers to solve a real world problem. Love it!

[@JoeDidItTV]

Thanks! Couldn’t agree more!! This was a soup to nuts demonstration that really anyone can do - and it does solve a problem, I’ve been using it daily since the day the chickens were big enough to be in the coop and it makes raising them a lot easier (even if you’re out of town or out of the country)

[@guillermomunoz6468]

the most awesome and bright feeder I have seen!! it inspires to follow and learn. Thank you for this Joe.

[@jureekelder2914]

Hi Joe, could you make a video or instruction on how to create the livestream? How to set up the cameras and so on? Would be really cool!

[@tylorban]

Incredible instructions here.. I’ve learned so much on different topics to accomplish this project and getting into other similar projects. Thanks so much Joe! Looking forward to more project videos!

[@ErroldeNOOui]

Dude!!!!! Your are dangerous!!!! I love it, and although I am not at all a person that builds much of anything but a Floral Arrangement /Design, not having the aptitude to drive a screw, nor screw an nail. However, I must try to replicate your project. What a challenge that that'd be for me. Thanks for you tutorial.

[@neilfink7558]

Thanks for the vid. Enjoyed it immensely. Most chicken keeping videos demonstrate how to make the process more difficult and ridiculous.

[@SunshineCountryChickens]

I love this and someday would like to have something similar to your set up. Could I buy this from you and use it for the same purpose? I think a lot of chicken parents might be interested in this as well.

[@professorstratios8228]

I independently built an identical machine. It’s such a good idea to use the auger/type design.

[@amorahart]

21:10 that's what she said

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Excellent project

[@jerrytheriot6113]

Wonderful idea and wonderful job. I had to sit here and think for a while about what to say. First of all the amount of intellegence that you have is amazing. That job is way more than what I have skills for. But with that being said I really enjoy watching you and your mind at work. Keep up the good work.

[@mariahc.crawley884]

PLEASSSSSSE discuss further the ideas you had at the end! All will make sense in my home situation. This was fantastic! Thank You! 2020!

[@vgjsdbhaklm3229]

Hi how much did the total cost come out to? This is absolutely amaizng and exactly what ive been looking for ty!!

[@MrBittyKat]

This would be a fantastic tool for elderly homesteaders.

[@timfoster5043]

Looks cool. Thanks! Looking to add stuff like this to the chicken coop my wife wants me to build.

[@serg3y]

I would simplify greatly by using a wifi power point switch (SONOFF brand, $27) with a 12v power adaptor. No pi, no software, no solar, you can program a schedule and do manual on/off from anywhere using a phone. I am interested in this to put chlorine grain into a pool. :)

[@burnnotice6966]

Hello! I love your chicken streams, Though I've only shown today I can say I am a big fan. Especially of the chicken "Cluck Norris"! haha, what a funny name! thank you for streaming, little chickens. thank you

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

add a camera for chicken recognition! lol. I'd love to see the other ideas you mentioned...standing by

[@HammerofThor00]

That's so freaking cool!

[@matthewlaird5069]

Thank you! You are amazing. Please post more particle tutorials!

[@RHD56SD]

Galvanized (Zinc)/Stainless steel aren't compatible metals. You'll get galvanic corrosion between the two.

[@ChickenChatterLive]

How did you handle the chatbot commands for feeding the chickens? So cool.

[@rabbitspoultrypomsandmore]

I love this design but I don’t understand anything about the software part of it. I wish these were available to buy.

[@legojenn]

I love the video. I'm a little more familiar with Python and Raspberry Pis rather than Arduinos and C, but I can learn. I am more interested in a door controller like you have on your run, and that might even be easier to implement than the feeder because doors are pretty complete units as they are. Just add microcontroller, conectivity, power supply and relay. Thanks for the entertainment and information.

[@Briansworld77]

Nice Project. I'm building something similar for feeding our outside cats. I never used the photon before, I'll have to check that out. Oh by the way, I'm using a windshield wiper motor to drive my auger. These motors are powerful and water proof.

[@JoeDidItTV]

Brilliant! That’s a great way to go for the motor. The motor I’m using you’ll be cost prohibitive for most hobbyists. I have some other photon videos, but plan to post more. All you need to get something like this going is a photon and a relay board (the particle relay board is fine if you don’t want the remote controller receiver). Been feeding my 9 chickens since the beginning of April with it no issues so far!

[@JoeDidItTV]

Also, if you want an enclosure that fits the particle relay board, Polycase has a few options that I use regularly. Check out the WH-08 series. The board from particle is a bit longer and narrower than the one I used in the video. If you’re going to be a distance from the WiFi AP don’t forget to get an external u.FL WiFi antenna (sparkfun antennas are best IMO) and make sure the first line in your code tells the photon to use the external ant.

[@Gigilovestosew]

Approximately how much did it cost to make? I absolutely love this. Thank you for making this video.

[@jafinch78]

Any plans to blog your Photon projects? Those would be neat to see more details regarding. Thanks for sharing... this is an interesting project.

WOW! What an amazing project! Really good idea!

[@shraddha6828]

Very interesting! Glad you have a channel!

[@jaysolar6111]

Hey Joe, love your projects. I thought that I have is why not install the box with the antenna facing down(similar to the wires coming from the bottom of the box) in order to prevent any water getting in from top.

[@davidharms3562]

Great videos Joe!!! Please keep them coming! 👍🏻

[@omotolanifolarin4727]

This is a great invention

[@timinwisco4921]

Please make a list of ALL items used and more specifically maybe links to where to buy..... this is an awesome setup, but I'm the dummy here and don't have the electrical engineering capabilities to search this stuff. It would help "us" untalented people

[@krazymunki54]

you’re awesome joe !

[@jordanhribar6002]

Very thorough run explanation. I wish I had your knowledge, especially on the software side. Do you offer design support ?

[@dallazz88]

Bro this is what I've been wanting just haven't found anyone that can make me one. Is there away you would make one for sale?

[@donna8212]

You amaze me Joe!!! Very interesting. Wonderful job!! Mia is a great little helper ☺️. 🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥

[@Electronieks]

Partlist ? Where to buy extruder?

[@MrRadnartjie]

Howzit Joe, this is awesome, this video was very informative and I understood the entire way. iOT is the future. How did you shield the motor from the elements ?

[@MMate]

Hello! I did a hen feeder with Arduino UNO, but for some reason the Arduino stops a few days after it starts. If I increase the size of the project it will stop sooner. At this point, Blynk also indicates that the feeder is offline. How to prevent arduino from stopping? Sorry for the mistakes, I'm learning English.

[@SuperValgal]

Really cool Joe!

[@mamahen7147]

Joe would you be interested in selling one of your feeders? I love your idea but I cannot make one myself. Love your chicken feeder.

[@maxweir6774]

Where did you get motor and worm drive from? Thanks for posting g this video

[@jeshelbeecondiman6984]

can you help me what is the circuit diagram of this project

[@enthusiasticbangali2023]

Very, very, thank you.. This is the system I was always willing to get.... But to build this I am insufficient... Need more help... From India...

[@avteching]

where you been Joe haven't heard from you in over 6 months, hope everything okay.

[@slayernam1]

Great tutorial Can you let me know where can i buy relay board in online

[@alexpringle4101]

Hi I can’t join in any live chat on the hungry hen cam, i’ve been away for some months I want to ask you about peanut what happened to her, BW Alex and anne in the uk.

[@rescue74girl2]

Joe, you need to put the pipe and shaft upside down or you will have about an inch of feed you can't get too.

[@aayushthakur5566]

63k unckecked emails? Dang! :D

[@muratgok8546]

How many mm do you use 12V DC Gear Motor. Can you give the link?

[@tyrelphelps8306]

Hey! What amperage of relay board did you use? 5 or 10 are my options from NCD.

[@LizzyTheLizard]

hey what kinda bored or pc do you stream with is a PI or sum sort im a small lizard streammer :)

[@mrcool4196]

So let's say I wanted to feed multiple feeders in a 20ft spand will I need the corkscrew all 20ft to the 23" one push the feed to multiple feeders

[@WayneRigley]

Joe, is there a way i get in contact with you?

[@danielthyme8609]

Is this a DC step motor when you manually turn the shaft you can feel the steps

[@danielthyme8609]

Ok you alresdy answered my comment further in the video :)

[@LasMejoresCruseDeKikiriki]

good job does the machine

[@sexyfluffybutt6499]

Good job , if may I ask , are you an engineer . Btw , thank you for the livecam , I love to see the chickens .

[@muek]

I'm obviously not Joe, but he just walked us through several sub-disciplines in Electrical Engineering (Digital/Analog/Controls/Power Electronics/Software/PV's) in one video. I wouldn't be surprised if he owns an Oscilloscope in his lab too.

[@MarilynWiley]

Very interesting Joe BUT I hope your feeding your baby chick starter feed and not the layer feed you demoed in the video. You feed layer or egg producer feed when they are around 15 to 18 weeks old and then make sure they have free choice grit and oyster shell.

[@JoeDidItTV]

👍 yes!! Feeding them chick food now, but designed the feeder around the layer food because that’s what they’ll be eating when we use it (but it actually works well with both!)

[@xAlbanianHackerx]

Are you coming back to youtube any time soon?

[@doctoreves9497]

Hey man quick question ive been meaning to ask, is the little chick in the video baby houdini??

[@JoeDidItTV]

That's a baby Triplet (back when they were nice!!)

[@MyBlip]

Joe, this is a great video, I watched your other video and asked a question about the motor then I watched this one and I see what you are using. In the video you mentioned the motor you used might be more expensive than what is needed and you mentioned a Traeger replacement motor. I just wanted to tell you that I did some research on that and the Traeger motor is 120 volt. Thanks again for the video I am going to use your mechanical concept for my own but I will control it a little differently; The mechanical concept was the hardest part.

[@bunnyjo1662]

What camera do u use in the coop

[@marianomb9121]

Is Houdini the chick at the beginning of the video? :D

[@tammytheranger7645]

It’s actually a Triplet.

[@mizzmuhree9297]

The famous sub count!!!!!!

[@ppdbsekolah1913]

genious

[@stevenyoung295]

Please can you do an egg collection video for my girls

[@KourtneyCraig18]

Mia is soooo cute!! 😍

[@firsttimefarmer4666]

Yessss🐣🐣🐣🐣🧠🧠🧠🧠

[@smartz8334]

Wow

[@oz8792]

At first glance i thought it was automatic chicken cooker

[@AkbarAkbar-um7kl]

Can get your IG pls?