ha-run-chicken is a custom Home Assistant component to control Run‑Chicken automatic chicken coop doors via Bluetooth.
It has been tested with the T50 model (Bluetooth version) but should work with other Run‑Chicken Bluetooth models. The GIANT model is also supported; the door model is detected automatically from its Bluetooth advertisement.
This is a local push integration — it communicates directly with the door via Bluetooth and does not require cloud access or an internet connection.
⚠️ Note: This has only been tested by me, and will likely have bugs. Please report bugs so it can be improved!
- Open and close control
- Report current door state (push)
- Local Bluetooth communication (no cloud required)
- Battery level reporting
- Temperature and brightness reporting
- Updating built-in schedule (e.g. automatic opening at sunrise)
Use the Run-Chicken app to set these schedules, or disable them in the app and use a Home Assistant automation instead.
- A compatible Run‑Chicken door (tested on T50 with Bluetooth)
- A host with working Bluetooth (BLE) near the coop. Using a Bluetooth Proxy is highly recommended
You can install via HACS (Custom repository) or manually.
- In Home Assistant, install HACS if you don’t already have it: https://hacs.xyz/
- HACS → Integrations → three‑dot menu → Custom repositories.
- Add this repository URL and select category “Integration”.
- Find “Run‑Chicken” in HACS and click Install.
- Restart Home Assistant when prompted.
- Copy the folder
custom_components/run_chickenfrom this repository into your Home Assistant config directory:<config>/custom_components/run_chicken - Restart Home Assistant.
Tip: If you have the Terminal & SSH add-ons installed, cd to the custom_components directory and run:
wget -O - https://github.com/bkanuka/ha-run-chicken/archive/refs/heads/main.tar.gz | tar --strip-components=2 -zxf - ha-run-chicken-main/custom_componentsAfter installation and restart:
- Go to Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration.
- Search for "Run‑Chicken".
- Follow the on‑screen steps to pair with your door over Bluetooth.
Notes:
- Keep the door powered and within Bluetooth range during setup.
- If your host has multiple Bluetooth adapters, you may need to ensure the correct adapter is enabled for Home Assistant.
Because this integration has only been tested on a few doors, it's a huge help to capture the raw Bluetooth traffic when something doesn't work — especially on door models other than the T50.
To record it:
- Go to Settings → Devices & Services → Run‑Chicken → Configure.
- Turn on "Record raw door data to a file" and submit. The integration reloads automatically.
- Reproduce the issue (open/close the door, wait for a state update, etc.).
- Find the log file in your Home Assistant config folder, named
run_chicken_<address>.log(e.g.run_chicken_aabbccddeeff.log). You can retrieve it with the File Editor or Samba add-on, or from the host shell under/config. - Attach the file to a GitHub issue. Turn the option back off when you're done — it keeps appending while enabled.
Each line is a single message, formatted as <UTC timestamp> <RX|TX> <base64 payload>, where RX is data received from the door and TX is data sent to it. The bytes are base64-encoded so the file stays plain text and safe to paste.
- Open / Close control and reporting
- HACS integration
- Battery level reporting
- Temperature reporting (I think there is a sensor in the door)
- Brightness / light level reporting
- Additional diagnostics and improved pairing UX
This project is licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.
- Inspired by the Home Assistant integration blueprint and community examples
- Not affiliated with or endorsed by Run‑Chicken; all trademarks are the property of their respective owners