Recent content by Pullet-Shut Chicken Doors

Our door is the most reliable unit on the market. Made and designed in Texas, we understand predators and quality construction. All aluminum door and frame, brass hardware, and stainless steel screws. Many people have been using them for 10+ or even 15+ years. You can find them at...

Hello, I understand both sides of this. If you coop is super-secure, a door isn't necessary. Unless some clever predator finds a weak point & sneaks in. May I suggest our door, the Pullet-Shut Automatic Door? For peace of mind, and a door that is incredibly reliable, our door will meet the...

That is a very cute coop you have. We're glad the installation was easy, and appreciate the kind words. Enjoy!

I'm sorry you are having these issues. That is the problem with that type of motor, it is called a 'spur gear'. It is very easy for the teeth in the motor to get stripped or damaged. Something pushing against the door vertically can cause that damage. That is why we use a 'planetary gear'...

Actually the 'official' first cause of bee losses are varroa mites. It's like a tick to us that can devastate a colony, although some bees seem to control them. My opinion is that the #1 cause is always us, the beekeepers. Poisons are in the top 5 though.

Sally, I chuckle at people awaiting their "first sting". Sort of like a teenager's "first date". There is too much fear in waiting, I tell people to just take a bee & get stung. It won't kill you (I hope!). Yes it will hurt a little, but it will fade away quickly. In fact, it really does...

Ask and you shall receive. Birdinhand, I've started a thread "Bees, temperament and toughness' in the "other pets and livestock" forum.

This was being discussed as a hijacking of bees in chicken feed, and Birdinhand (BiH) suggested this as a thread in and of itself. So... here it is. First a note on my bees. About 150 hives in central Texas, all genetics from feral hive removals. So africanized (AHB) genetics are strong...

Ok, here's my chance to harumph like the old man I am. Often my bees are bouncing off me when I'm 30 ft away from the hives. Yet I will drive home, and see 20 cows laying down and chewing their cud all under the shade of the same tree as a couple of my mean hives. I tell my bees that they...

Very true. And a kettle from Mars! As I replied to Apis Melifera, we each have our own preferences. For me, I've never bought a bee and every colony I have are from removals I've done over the years. I'm in central Texas, and the majority of feral bees out in my rural area are modest to...

I wouldn't put it near the hive. Bees don't like to feed close to their hives as it may attract predators. Just put it at an elevated height, out of the rain, and they will find it if they are interested.

Agreed overall. Where there is a will, there is a way. And there will always be various obstacles. Note, I'm in central Texas, and africanized genetics just dominate. Less so in the cities, but out rural areas as I'm in is a always-losing battle. Yes, I could requeen. Would have to do it...

I too am a beekeeper, in central Texas, with about 150 africanized hives. Many good points have been made. My concern would be the risk to the hens, and to you. Climbing up to work the heavy hive is a recipe for you falling/getting injured. Or just plain inconvenience. Now fill a deep 10...

It is that time of year again. Bees are out foraging for any sources of protein so they can start raising their Spring babies. And if there is nothing else to find, the crumbs in the chicken feeder become the only choice. Give it a couple of weeks, the natural pollens will start emerging and...

We just did a video showing how molasses can prevent your water from freezing in these colder temperatures. We did different concentrations of the molasses in the water, we used a thermal camera to monitor the water/liquid temperature as time passed, and we throw in some humor because we're a...