2 layers40 × 53 mm
2 layers78 × 68 mm
Safe chicks
WouterThys/SafeChicksChicken door to keep them chicks safe
- Size
- 78 × 68 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 40
- Nets
- 41
- Pads
- 104
- Tracks, vias
- 147, 5
- Pours
- 2
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 17 Mar 2025
- Updated
- 31 Dec 2025
Overview
Safe chicks is an open-source printed circuit board by WouterThys, from the WouterThys/SafeChicks repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 78 × 68 mm with 40 parts on 41 nets, routed with 147 tracks and 5 vias.
It is built around the BS250. Its parts include 14 connectors, 13 resistors, 4 capacitors, 2 diodes and 1 transistor.
Main components
1README
readme.mdSafe Chicks
Chicks need to be safe so make door go brrrr.
Ideas/Notes
- Chord attacked to door and motor winds up/down to open/close door
- Light sensor
- Limit switch -> use the iCab galenus switches? -> magnetic so will not weir out I guess
- Solar powered?
- Controller? What I have is:
- Pico Pi
- Arduino
- Raspberry pi 3
- Beaglebone black
- Adafruit Huzzah -> has ESP..
- Camera to see if checks are there -> would need raspberry for that (arduino is too lightweight)
- DC motor https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/4376711.pdf?_gl=1*1atfsg3*_gcl_au*MjAyNTY1MDc1NS4xNzQxNjI0NTgy
Used in V2
Mouser
426-DRI0044 Fabrik. Artikelnum.: DRI0044 DFRobot 2x1.2A DC Motor Driv / Stroombeheer IC Ontwikkelinghulpmiddelen TARIC:8473302000 ECCN:EAR99 COO:CN
426-FIT0489-D Fabrik. Artikelnum.: FIT0489-D DFRobot Turbo Metal Gear Wor / DFRobo-accessoires TARIC:8471500090 ECCN:EAR99 COO:CN
653-D2HW-C223MR Fabrik. Artikelnum.: D2HW-C223MR Omron Electronics Subminiature Basic S / Basis- / klikschakelaars TARIC:8536508099 ECCN:EAR99 COO:IT
RobotShop
RB-Jsu-84 37mm Motor Mount For Titan Series (Pair) 5-4-G 1 1 0 €5.71 €5.71 RB-Sct-941 15T Timing Pinion Pulley (6mm) 02-6-B 1 1 0 €9.45 €9.45 RB-Phi-457 Waterproof Enclosure 200x120x75 w/ Transparent Lid M05-2-D 1 1 0 €13.12 €13.12
Usefull links
DIY chicken door: https://davenaves.com/blog/interests-projects/chickens/chicken-coop/arduino-chicken-door/#
Battery management system https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1714.html
Arduino low power https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/electronics/low-power/
Measurements
POC Arduino Uno (17/03 16:20)
- added 4[Ohm] resistor between 12V supply
- Idle ~140mV => 4,9 mW
- Run ~1,30V => 423 mW
Parts
40| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 100k | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 |
| 5 | MountingHole | MountingHole:MountingHole_3.2mm_M3 | H1, H2, H3, H4, H5 |
| 3 | 1M | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R1, R2, R3 |
| 2 | 100n | Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D4.3mm_W1.9mm_P5.00mm | C1, C2 |
| 2 | 1u | Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D4.3mm_W1.9mm_P5.00mm | C3, C4 |
| 2 | 220 | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R10, R11 |
| 2 | Conn_01x02 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | J13, J14 |
| 2 | Conn_01x15 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x15_P2.54mm_Vertical | J1, J2 |
| 2 | LED | LED_THT:LED_D3.0mm | D1, D2 |
| 1 | 10k | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R12 |
| 1 | 1k | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R13 |
| 1 | 47k | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R4 |
| 1 | 5V (from PM) | TerminalBlock:TerminalBlock_bornier-2_P5.08mm | J8 |
| 1 | BS250 | Package_TO_SOT_THT:TO-92_Inline | Q2 |
| 1 | Battery Sensor | TerminalBlock:TerminalBlock_bornier-2_P5.08mm | J3 |
| 1 | Bottom Switch | TerminalBlock:TerminalBlock_bornier-2_P5.08mm | J6 |
| 1 | LOGO | LOGO | G*** |
| 1 | Light Sensor | TerminalBlock:TerminalBlock_bornier-2_P5.08mm | J4 |
| 1 | LowPower | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J9 |
| 1 | Motor | TerminalBlock:TerminalBlock_bornier-2_P5.08mm | J7 |
| 1 | SPI | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J12 |
| 1 | Status LEDs | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J10 |
| 1 | UART | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J11 |
| 1 | Upper Switch | TerminalBlock:TerminalBlock_bornier-2_P5.08mm | J5 |
Questions
How big is the Safe chicks PCB?
It measures 78 × 68 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Safe chicks use?
40 parts, built around the BS250. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Safe chicks KiCad files?
From the WouterThys/SafeChicks repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is V1/PCB/safe_chicks/safe_chicks.kicad_pcb and its schematic V1/PCB/safe_chicks/safe_chicks.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Safe chicks design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask WouterThys before reusing the design.
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