Hello fellow ST community members! I’ve been thinking about ways to enhance my chicken feeder setup to prevent pests like possums and racoons from raiding the feed at night. I came across this automatic chicken feeder that uses a step-on mechanism, which is great for saving feed and keeping rodents out. However, I’ve noticed that these clever critters can sometimes figure out how to bypass the system, especially at night when supervision is minimal.
As a SmartThings user, I believe there must be a smarter way to automate this process. My initial idea was to use a linear actuator, like the ECO-WORTHY 12V model, to block the pedal mechanism during non-feeding hours. I was thinking of pairing this with a Z-Wave outlet to automate the process based on a schedule. But I’m not entirely sure if this is the most efficient solution out there.
Has anyone tackled a similar problem? I’d love to hear your ideas, whether it’s about alternative devices, clever workarounds, or even custom scripts. The goal is to keep the feed secure while maintaining the convenience of an automatic feeder. Any suggestions or experiences you can share would be incredibly helpful!
Looking forward to your insights and potential solutions. Let’s brainstorm together! 