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The Animatronic Raven Kit from Mr. Chicken’s Prop Shop is a servo-powered DIY project. Choose Basic if you want the kit’s mechanical and finishing components but will source servos yourself, Deluxe if you want the recommended servos included, or Bare Bones if you plan to make or source most remaining materials. None of the configurations includes the controller or power supply needed to operate the servos. The maker’s product page showed the kit as sold out when checked; confirm current stock and price before planning a build.
What do you need to build an animatronic raven?
Plan for three parts: the raven kit configuration, the servos and control electronics, and a compatible power supply. Mr. Chicken’s Prop Shop describes the kit as designed to be easy to build, while recommending basic experience with servo-driven projects. The maker links step-by-step how-to videos and build resources on its official product page.
The kit’s moving features are operated by servos. Make: editor-in-chief Keith Hammond described beak, head, wing, and body movement in his September 19, 2020 article, and noted that a microcontroller or servo driver was not included. That article is useful background on the project, not a current stock or pricing reference: Make:’s build article.
Which kit configuration should you choose?
| Configuration | What the maker says is included | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Mechanical and finishing components, except servos. See the maker’s product page for the current contents. | You want the kit’s main components and will obtain the servos separately. |
| Deluxe | Basic kit components plus the maker-recommended servos: Hitec HS-53 ×1, HS-425BB ×3, and HS645MG ×1. Controller and power supply are not included. | You want the recommended servo set bundled with the kit. |
| Bare Bones | Custom parts only: head and body shells, acrylic structures, latex feet, 3D-printed neck brackets, and a specialty spring. The maker supplies patterns and parts lists for other materials. | You want to source or make most materials yourself and use the custom parts as a starting point. |
The maker cautions that kit batches may differ slightly from product photos, so use the current product listing and included build materials to confirm what arrives rather than treating photos as a precise inventory.
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#1 Best Overall
- x25 8T gears
- x25 9T gears
- x25 10T gears
- x25 pulley gears
- x25 small rubber belts
Does the raven kit include servos?
Only the Deluxe configuration includes servos, according to the maker. Its recommended set is one Hitec HS-53, three HS-425BB, and one HS645MG. Basic excludes servos, and Bare Bones is limited to the listed custom parts. If you are buying Basic or Bare Bones, confirm the servo requirements against the maker’s current build documentation before ordering parts.
What controller does the animatronic raven kit need?
A servo controller is required, and it is not included with the kit. Mr. Chicken’s Prop Shop names several options, but does not provide a full comparative evaluation, so choose based on how you want to program and operate the bird and verify compatibility with your exact servos.
Rank #2
- x3 8T gears
- x3 9T gears
- x3 10T gears
- x3 pulley gears
- x3 small rubber belts
For a straightforward starting point
The maker lists the Pololu Mini Maestro as an option. Make:’s 2020 article also recommended Mini Maestro as a starting controller and discussed programming motion sequences and adjusting movement speed and acceleration. Treat that as guidance from the 2020 article, not a guarantee of current availability or compatibility; check the current controller documentation before buying.
Other options named by the maker
- Steve Koci RC Recorder system from Addicore: a maker-listed control option.
- Visual Show Automation with a compatible board such as SSC-32: the maker presents this as an option for more advanced programming.
The available product information does not establish a definitive ranking among these systems. Compare their current capabilities, programming workflow, channel requirements, and electrical specifications against the servos and behaviors you intend to use.
Rank #3
- x3 brass 8T gears
- x3 brass 9T gears
- x3 brass 10T gears
- x3 plastic pulley gears
- x3 small rubber belts
How should you plan the power supply?
The maker recommends a 6 V, 5 A DC supply, but directs builders to check the specifications of their selected controller and servos. This recommendation is not a guarantee that the same supply will suit every possible configuration. Confirm voltage, current capacity, connector and wiring requirements, and the controller’s supported power arrangement in the manufacturers’ current documentation before connecting the system.
Check stock and price before choosing a build
The maker’s product page showed the kit as sold out when checked and invited visitors to sign up for restock notices. Stock and price can change; check the official listing directly before deciding which configuration to buy. Prices printed in Make:’s September 19, 2020 article are historical and should not be used as current quotes.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
