Solar Power Ya'll

With fall approaching, the days are getting shorter and I have run into a slight problem. I don't get back from rotting in the box until 7:45. This was no problem in the summer. I would let the girls out in the a.m. and they would go in by themselves at sundown. All I had to do was lock them up when they all made it to the roost, usually around 9:00 pm.  Now, its getting dark way too early, and waiting to close the coop when I come home late is way too dangerous in regards to urban wildlife. The raccoons and opossums would jump at the chance I'm sure to take a taste of the girls. 

I have been having Claire take care of this issue for the past week, but already I can see she is getting somewhat annoyed. The other day she called and said the girls were staring at her and wouldn't go in when she went to lock them up. It was only 630 'ish, the light was still out, and I'm sure they were like, "uh uh. Who does this girl think she is making us go in early." 

I needed a solution stat.

So, I ordered a door. An automatic door. What what. And since I was tired of the three extension cords running to the coop all trashy like, I decided to go solar. Yeah that's right an off the grid chicken coop. Every morning, it opens at sunrise to let the girls into their run and at sundown it closes once all the girls are safe and sound in the coop. It does have an automatic safety mechanism where it will open again for one minute and then shut in case anyone didn't make it on time. I installed it today so tonight and tomorrow is the big test. Unfortunately/Fortunately it has been raining the past two days and I'm worried that the battery may not have enough juice in it since it has been cloudy. Hopefully, we have no issues with this. 

Door with motor and battery installed

Barb, all sassy, trying it out

Solar panel 

In other news, the garden is somewhat kicking ass. 

Crooked Neck zucchini 

Can You see the little butternut squash?

A bigger butternut

Cucumber Harvest 

What the hell is this?

Yup..................cucumbers. In my yard. That I grew. For awhile there i was considering throwing in the towel and giving up. It was just sooooo freaking hot. This summer was one of the harshest I have ever experienced. Snorting prozac three times a day would not have helped my mood with the amount of 100+ degree days we experienced. Finally this week, the weather has dipped into the upper 80's and things are starting to look brighter. My cucumbers are flowering, the crooked neck zuchinni's are ripening, a butternut squash is brewing, and the girls have finally stopped panting. I'd say Fall has arrived....................FINALLY.