INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[leslea]

So, I went to a feed store today. It shall remain nameless to protect the innocent (me!). The lady working was rather helpful, but also very negative. She asked about my biddies and I told her. She proceeded to warn me that my silkies weren't cold hardy and my BRs would be aggressive to my children. All my chickens, actually. She said all bantams are aggressive.

Surprised she didn't tell me my guineas would fly the coop and NEVER return the day I let them out.

If it were not for BYC and the awesomeness that is the internet leading me to read up on these birds for 10 years, I'd have left that store very upset. As it was, I was able to say "Okay," and change the subject.

I know some people have lost silkies outside in the cold winter, especially the polar vortex. But who's to say my coop isn't going to be warm enough with its square footage, insulatin, and a flock of 8 in there together? Maybe she will be right and all my chickens will attack my kids even though we are handling them every day and going to feed them treats. I guess I'll be glad to see 'em freeze then, huh?

WTHeck is wrong with people? She said all of that in a helpful, nice way, but...I came home and googled what she said and as usual, it's one of those "your mileage may vary" things.

Just needed to vent.

 

[hoosiercheetah]

A remote would be awesome for when I'm home! I'll need something in place by the 2nd week in June if I'm going to do something.
Hum, this is cool! I wonder how heavy the door can be and still have the antenna lift it? I have a guiliteen (sp?) door that's 12" X 16" and double thick osb.
I wonder if you could make it interchangeable? The remote would be perfect for when I home (which is most of the time) but I was thinking something on a photosensor or timer so it wasn't as critical what time someone needed to be here for chores. I may take you up of your wiring offer, defiantly not my forte. Hammer and nails I can do or hubby can help, electronics not so much!

You might have to re-make the door out of something lighter; there are all kinds of materials that would work. Plexiglass is the first thing that comes to mind, and there are others. what's the total thickness of your osb?

It would be super-easy interchangeable. The on/off device, whether it's a timer or one of those remotes from home depot, simply plugs into the power strip, then has an AC adapter plugged into it. All you'd have to do is unplug one and plug in the other. Or if you want to get really fancy, I could add a switch, that would switch from one to the other, for an extra 5 bucks.

The more I think about this, the more fun I think it would be to build!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

So, I went to a feed store today. It shall remain nameless to protect the innocent (me!). The lady working was rather helpful, but also very negative. She asked about my biddies and I told her. She proceeded to warn me that my silkies weren't cold hardy and my BRs would be aggressive to my children. All my chickens, actually. She said all bantams are aggressive.

Surprised she didn't tell me my guineas would fly the coop and NEVER return the day I let them out.

If it were not for BYC and the awesomeness that is the internet leading me to read up on these birds for 10 years, I'd have left that store very upset. As it was, I was able to say "Okay," and change the subject.

I know some people have lost silkies outside in the cold winter, especially the polar vortex. But who's to say my coop isn't going to be warm enough with its square footage, insulatin, and a flock of 8 in there together? Maybe she will be right and all my chickens will attack my kids even though we are handling them every day and going to feed them treats. I guess I'll be glad to see 'em freeze then, huh?

WTHeck is wrong with people? She said all of that in a helpful, nice way, but...I came home and googled what she said and as usual, it's one of those "your mileage may vary" things.

Just needed to vent.

The way I look at it is it is much like the input one receives on a site such as this - just look at the vast difference of opinion on issues (even some of the most basic questions) that often arise - both 'sides' of the opinion convinced that their opinion is the correct one and offering information that may be completely contradictory to the input of the next person.

 

[alliejean]

Our door opening is 13X13 so the door is slightly bigger than that. I honestly have no idea how heavy it is, but it does not seem to be an issue. I originally thought I wanted a remote opener too, but the more I thought about it...I decided that changing a timer every week or so is worth it to be able to sleep past sunrise without worrying about the chickens needing to be let out.

 

[leslea]

The way I look at it is it is much like the input one receives on a site such as this - just look at the vast difference of opinion on issues (even some of the most basic questions) that often arise - both 'sides' of the opinion convinced that their opinion is the correct one and offering information that may be completely contradictory to the input of the next person.

I totally agree. I am glad I've read so many different accounts. I'm also glad I didn't walk into that store & ask for help on the topic before I did my own research. She totally would have killed my dream.

 

[pginsber]

Those of you that have automatic chicken doors. Where did you get them from? Are there any that don't cost $200 to buy? We've got a couple of long trips coming up this summer and I want to make things as easy as possible for the person taking care of the animals!!

It's worth every penny for your peach of mind. Best $200 I ever spent...

 

[atrueb00]

I ordered two packages from the Apple blossom in Star City, it cost me $135ea :0! They will be here mid to late May.

We've ordered 2 hives and 1 queen from the same place. The queen was ordered weeks ago but due to weather hasn't shipped. DH was told the honeybees are coming from somewhere down south and were delayed due to storms. Really hoping Apple Blossom comes through for us, we have a queenless hive right now!

 

[pginsber]

That's why I was thinking of something from an RC car - the motor would be able to move the door, but not injure anyone.

The only problem I had with the automatic door was this winter, when poop would freeze in the door opening. The motor would reverse, sensing an object, and it wouldn't close. Stupid chickens--the track is a pencil width wide--surely they could have launched it an inch farther!

 

[browncow15]

Our door opening is 13X13 so the door is slightly bigger than that. I honestly have no idea how heavy it is, but it does not seem to be an issue. I originally thought I wanted a remote opener too, but the more I thought about it...I decided that changing a timer every week or so is worth it to be able to sleep past sunrise without worrying about the chickens needing to be let out.

Well I'm sure anything is an improvement over the 10 am mine usually get out now! Lol!

The only problem I had with the automatic door was this winter, when poop would freeze in the door opening.  The motor would reverse, sensing an object, and it wouldn't close.  Stupid chickens--the track is a pencil width wide--surely they could have launched it an inch farther!

Haha!

 

[racinchickins]

Quote: Mine like to perch on the lip of the door. so I had the same problem you did.