Vending Machine For Birds
An inexpensive, simple bird feeder that dispenses a nut for dropping stuff in a hole and can be built from analog components and cheap materials. Rodent proof, runs on 5-6V, one moving part (vibration motor). Support for event monitoring and video recording. No 3D printing or laser cutting required, just some basic hand tools. Lots of improvement and customization possibilities. Lots of possibilities for the enclosure. Can be integrated with single-board computers and microcontrollers for monitoring and event logging.
MAIN FEATURES
- portable
- saves power until a warm body is present
- battery/solar or mains powered
- one moving part
- accessible components and materials
- weatherproof
- rodents can't break in and get the food
- cheap to build
- highly customizable
- optional external monitoring and control
Project details and design/development logs are on Hackaday.io: https://hackaday.io/project/184754-vending-machine-for-birds
Kicad PCB files and monitoring scripts for a Raspbery Pi running MotionEyeOS are on GitHub
Analog version: https://github.com/src1138/VMFB
Microcontroller/SBC version: https://github.com/src1138/VMFB-MC
PCBs and gerbers are also available at PCBWay
Analog version: https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/Vending_Machine_for_Birds_11f2a4da.html
Microcontroller/SBC version: coming soon
This resource is meant to make low-cost hardware for avian conditioning research available for academics, researchers and individual experiments. The designs are freely available, free to use for academic purposes, can be modified to work well for other animals or purposes and can be integrated with other devices or systems.
Primarily designed around birds and Skinnerian conditioning related to animal intelligence, memory and problem-solving.
Publish information
| Authors: | S Chasey; |
| Publisher: | Stephen Chasey |
| Year of publication: | 2022 |
| License: | GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007 |