Recent content by 4biddies

  1. 4biddies

    Mystery Chicks?

    Most definitely a Speckled Sussex...a good laying bird.
  2. 4biddies

    automatic pop door opener

    The antenna motor is rated for 5 amps, so I suspect using a one amp adapter may work, but it might run slower than it should, and w/ the xtra weight of the door I wanted to get all the current I could give it, so I sprung for the 5 amp adapter, which does cost a bit more.
  3. 4biddies

    Does your dog eat chicken poo ?!?!

    2 dogs, occasional chicken poop eaters, and more distressingly, one will indeed roll in it, and seems to specifically be attracted to the runnier, messier poops to do it, not the dry ones. But we hope he is starting to make the connection between the poop rolling and the cold hose bath! Dogs...
  4. 4biddies

    Financially speaking, is it worth it?

    Every dollar that doesn't go to factory farming operations is worth many times that to me. But to literally make money from hobby farming? Not likely. Even larger family farms can barely keep there head above water in most instances. But if it is a labour of love, the peace of mind and...
  5. 4biddies

    Does nest area have to be divided, or can it just be one open space?

    I use a communal nest box, and my hens seem quite content w/ that setup, fyi.
  6. 4biddies

    automatic pop door opener

    Well, you don't want the red wire controlled by the timer...because after the timer for instance shuts off sending the signal to retract...you need continued power for the motor to finish the cycle. Thats why the blue would need to go to a seperate ac plug. So...as I did it...red wire goes to...
  7. 4biddies

    Hen loosing feathers around vent and back by tail - Help

    if you do some searches you'll find all kinds of predicaments like this. Feather plucking is common, and is a serious problem. It could be any number of reasons, or a combination...if not space it may be boredom, particularly if you live in a cold area and they can't scratch in the winter...
  8. 4biddies

    Pet chickens vs. food source

    It is pretty dependent on the person...if your a pet type/animal lover, and you have a relatively small amount of birds, then your likely to get to know each one and have some connection, particularly when you raise them from day one little fuzzballs. I think sometimes the more you have, the...
  9. 4biddies

    roosters combs are black on tips

    I think of it as a combination of moisture, draft, and cold....probably in that order. Tricky because ventilating moisture can add to draft if not designed right. Need the ventilation to be in a manner such as not to produce draft on the chickens.
  10. 4biddies

    Are nesting boxes necessary?

    I have four hens that share a communal nest box. They don't mind sharing. It's wider than the standard size, but the same depth...as long as it feels secure they'll use it. They just prefer a darker quiet spot that's kind of seperate from the rest.
  11. 4biddies

    NH Member

    All the breeds I have are pretty docile, though not always w/ each other! I think most of the good laying breeds have the potential to be pretty docile, the more important factor than breed is just giving them alot of handling and human attention from day one. Some will always be more into...
  12. 4biddies

    automatic pop door opener

    Also, that vertical mount method from nifties posts goes further to solve the predator problem, as the antenna is reasonably rigid when extended, making it unable to be opened. If your coop is tall enough, that would definitely be the way to go. Of course, on the other hand I kind of like the...
  13. 4biddies

    automatic pop door opener

    Thats funny! I did see a few weeks ago in a post someone suggested the antenna idea, but hadn't been on to see a finished project! I really like the mounting style in the thread you reference. If my coop was taller, I would have done something more like that, as I think that would be a more...
  14. 4biddies

    automatic pop door opener

    Fortunately, I don't really seem to have a problem w/ coons, though as someone has posted, you don't have a problem w/ predators only til the point where you suddenly have a problem w/ predator...it's an inexact assessment. Anyway, the pop door is only the second line of defense, my coop is a...
  15. 4biddies

    NH Member

    Thanks for welcome all, and thanks for the welcome from Old Town Maine. One of my favorite singer songwriters I believe is from Old Town, Maine....Patty Griffin.
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