Chore-Time: A Division of CTB, Inc.
Ph. 574-658-4101  Fax 574-658-4171  Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions


Contact Information

Q: How can I contact Chore-Time Poultry Production Systems?
A: Chore-Time Poultry Production Systems A Division of CTB, Inc. 410 North Higbee Street P.O. Box 2000 Milford, IN 46542-2000 Phone: 574-658-4191 Fax: 574-658-3471 E-mail: ppscs@choretime.com
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Customer Service

Q: How can I contact Chore-Time Customer Service?
A: Chore-Time Poultry Production Systems (PPS) Customer Service Phone: 574-658-5175 or 866-658-5175 Fax: 574-658-4171 or 877-730-8825 E-mail: ppscs@choretime.com
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Chore-Time Hats and Apparel

Q: Where can I buy Chore-Time hats and apparel?
A: Visit the website of our supplier at https://www.costore.com/ctb/welcome.asp.
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Distributors

Q: Can I purchase poultry production equipment directly from Chore-Time?
A: No. We sell all of our equipment through independent authorized distributors to ensure proper installation and to provide after sale service.
Q: Where is my nearest Distributor?
A: We have Distributors throughout the United States and Canada. Please click on the Distributor Look-Up Page to find your nearest Distributor.
Q: How can I become a Chore-Time distributor?
A: Contact the District Manager for your area. See the Contact Us chart.
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Directions (from the north)

Q: How do I get to Chore-Time Poultry Production Systems?
A: At the junction of U.S. 6 and Indiana State Road 15, travel south approximately one and one-half miles to Milford. Chore-Time is located on the east side of S.R. 15., and Poultry Production Systems' main entrance is located at Door #30.
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Directions (from the south)

Q: How do I get to Chore-Time Poultry Production Systems?
A: At junction of U.S. 30 and Indiana State Road 15 in Warsaw, travel north approximately ten miles through Leesburg to Milford. Our complex is just north of the second stoplight in Milford. Chore-Time is located on the east side of S.R. 15, and Poultry Production Systems' main entrance is located at Door #30.
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Hours of Business

Q: What are Chore-Time's hours of business?
A: Regular Business Hours (Milford Headquarters) are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
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Hours for Shipping and Receiving

Q: What are Chore-Time's Shipping and Receiving Departments' regular business hours?
A: Shipping and Receiving Hours (Milford Headquarters) are 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Postal Address

Q: What is your postal address?
A: Chore-Time Poultry Production Systems P.O. Box 2000 Milford, IN 46542-2000
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Shipping Address (for Courier Packages)

Q: What is your shipping address?
A: Chore-Time Poultry Production Systems 410 N. Higbee Street Milford, IN 46542 (Please note that North Higbee Street is what Indiana State Road 15 is called within Milford.)
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Manuals for Operation and Installation

Q: Where can I get a copy of a particular instruction manual?
A: Visit the product page on our web site and look for the manual download link.
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Brooders/Heaters

Q: Do your units require a filter?
A: No, none of our units requires a filter due to the burner design – dust is consumed in the flame.
Q: What size of gas piping is required?
A: It depends on how many units, what type of gas, length of run, and operating pressure. Contact your local dealer for your pipe size information.
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Controls & Software

Q: Can I connect two inlet machines to a CHORE-TRONICS® 2 Control?
A: Yes, the CHORE-TRONICS® 2 Controls can control up to two inlet machines. These machines will both be sent open signals or both will receive close signals at the same time.
Q: Is a CHORE-TRONICS® Control required in order to have a CHORE-TIME® Bird Scale?
A: No, our bird scales (broiler, breeder and turkey models) are designed as stand-alone devices.
Q: What wire is used to connect the temperature sensors to a Chore-Tronics® Control?
A: 22 gauge, twisted pair, unshielded wire with one twist per inch (Chore-Time Part Number 42208)
Q: What's needed to control a light dimmer?
A: With Chore-Tronics® 1 Controls you need to install an IARM board, with Chore-Tronics® 2 controls you can wire the dimmer directly to the analog output. The dimmer must be able to take a 0 to 10 volt DC (or 10-0 volt) input to control intensity.
Q: Can the Chore-Tronics® Controls be wired to 115 volts AC?
A: We strongly recommend using 230 volts AC as the power source.
Q: Do I need a separate and dedicated circuit for my control?
A: Yes
Q: Can I wire my backup box to the same circuit as my control?
A: No
Q: Why does my alarm light continuously flash in my Chore-Tronics® 1 Control?
A: There is an active alarm condition present or, an alarm condition has recovered but has not yet been noticed.
Q: Why does my check switches notice keep flashing?
A: A switch for an assigned relay is not in the automatic position.
Q: Can we use telephone wire for our communications network?
A: No, we have found that this type of wire does not hold up and is subject to interference.
Q: Are there hardware (computer) requirements to run C-Central™ Professional Software?
A: Yes there are explicit minimum requirements, and to run the program correctly, the requirements need to be closely adhered to. Contact your Chore-Time representative to learn more about these requirements.
Q: Should the power to the control be turned off between flocks?
A: No, the power to the control should be left on at all times to help reduce moisture and to keep the internal battery charged. If certain equipment needs to be turned off, do it at the breaker panel or the manual relay switches.
Q: Can I use C-Central™ Software on my Vista computer?
A: Yes, both versions of C-Central™ Software are Vista ready. C-Central Pro 9.0 and C-Central Basic B1.3 or higher are Vista ready.
Q: How many light clocks are available in the Chore-Tronics® 2 Control?
A: Chore-Tronics® 2 Controls with C2.0 software version or higher have four separate light clocks.
Q: What does "Check Switches" mean when it's flashing in the Current Conditions screen?
A: This will occur when you have one or more manual switches that are connected to assigned relays, and these switches are not in the "Auto" position.
Q: What is needed for the Chore-Tronics® 2 Control to control a light dimmer?
A: The dimmer which is supplied by a third party must be able to receive a 0 to 10 volt DC input.
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FLEX-AUGER® Systems

Q: How far can you exceed the recommended line lengths when installing FLEX-AUGER® Systems?
A: The recommended line lengths should not be exceeded. The maximum motor efficiencies, loads and warranties are based on those lengths.
Q: How much can I upsize the motors from the recommended sizes?
A: The recommended motor sizes for given line lengths should be followed closely. The motors are sized and engineered to act as the safety factor for the system. They are designed to trip the overloads before damaging auger flightings.
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LINEAR-LIFT™ Winches

Q: How can I change my LINEAR-LIFT™ Winch from 60 RPMs to 30 RPMs?
A: Change only the motor. The gearboxes are the same. Please order a 36375 motor for 60 RPM operation, and a 48820 motor for 30 RPM operation.
Q: I have a swivel top cable/pulley type LINEAR-LIFT™ Winch, and I want to change it to a chain drive. Is that possible, and if so, how?
A: If your unit is an 800, 26", or 36" swivel top unit, just order one of these retrofit kits (800 = P/N 49871; 26" = P/N 49872; 36" = P/N 49873) and follow the instructions supplied. You should be able to do this easily in 15 minutes or less.
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Nesting & Egg Collectors

Q: How many shelves come standard with the current Side Belt collection table (introduced 7/05)?
A: The tables ship standard with two side shelves and one upper back shelf. The mounting brackets for the side shelves are reversible to allow alternative side mounting (left or right) for the Variable Speed Control based on customer preference. The Table also has an optional front extension shelf (P/N 16500057). This shelf kit is often used with egg flats and trays that are 25" and longer.
Q: Are the wooden leveler strips (1" x 2" x 48") still recommended for use underneath the nest bodies and passageways for system installations?
A: Yes – in fact, required. The strips are to act as spacers to help "level" the line on slats that are uneven along the length of the belt run, and to avoid low places and "valleys" where eggs might collect and jam the flow on the egg belt. The strips also provide space above the slats for the return side of the egg belt to avoid snags and hang-ups. Many breeder houses today are built with plastic slats in order to minimize exposed wood where bacteria can grow. In this type of installation plastic strips should be used to minimize exposed wood.
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Tunnel Doors

Q: I can see how tunnel doors benefit me during the winter with the insulating value and positive seal. Do they also benefit me during tunnel ventilation?
A: Tunnel doors act like huge sidewall vents which let a massive, continuous air jet into the house. Since the open tunnel doors are at a 45 degree angle, the air jet is directed upward to the middle of the house. As this incoming air meets the air from the other side, it then travels down to the floor and back out to the sidewall under the door. This process results in a large "swirl" of air. As the air travels along the floor and back out to the sidewall, it virtually eliminates any dead-air zones in the house. Because the air velocity is more uniform from sidewall to sidewall, the birds enjoy maximum comfort at bird level throughout the house instead of only down the middle.
Q: I've heard that the tunnel door is made up of several FRP composite panels...what is that?
A: FRP is the acronym for Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic.
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Watering

Q: Will the Relia-Flow® Valve fit on my existing Chore-Time® system?
A: Yes if you have large hole pipe saddles. Early Chore-Time® saddles had a smaller hole (around 1/16 inch) through the stem that protrudes into the pipe. In May 1995, this hole was increased to a little less than 1/8 inch.
Q: Will my birds be without water if I lose air pressure to my PDS™ system?
A: No, a spring in the PDS™ Regulator will supply a "default" water column of three to four inches until the air pressure can be restored.
Q: Why can’t I adjust my water column?
A: The stand tube may be air locked (letting the air in or out slowly). Loosen the cap on top before making your adjustment, then tighten.
Q: How often should I flush my watering system for bird stimulation?
A: Once a day or more in hot weather.
Q: What size of air compressor should I use with my PDS™ Controls?
A: For 1(49000-4 or -8) PDS™ unit use a minimum 2 gallon air supply tank.
For 2 to 4 (49000-4 or -8) PDS™ units use a minimum 5 gallon air supply tank.
For 5 to 6 (49000-4 or -8) PDS™ units use a minimum 10 gallon air supply tank.
For 1 (46772-12 thru -32) PDS™ unit use a minimum 5 gallon air supply tank.
For 2 to 4 (46772-12 thru -32) PDS™ units use a minimum 10 gallon air supply tank.

NOTE: All compressors should have a minimum rating to run 4 times per hour for 5 minutes each time.

Guideline for air regulator-available locally:
Air Regulator with 1/4" fitting & adjustable range 0-125 PSI
Grainger #4ZMO8, Grainger #4ZMO6, NAPA #90-725

Note: PDS™ controls operate @ 12 PSI. Most regulators that are supplied with compressors will not effectively regulate the air pressure at 12 PSI. We recommend using one of the regulators listed above.
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