:welcome I'm gonna be a nice neighbor and welcome you to the forum...even though you are TTUN...:p
and oh..here is the *ichigan thread for you to visit.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/michigan-thread-all-are-welcome.697050/
I pressure washed a food-grade IBC tote I got off Facebook Market, since I was getting tired of using 5-gallon buckets to bring to the coops and garden. Tote was from a national potato chips manufacturer and had cooking oil inside....made for a very slick lawn afterwards.
We live in Northeast Ohio, so very similar weather as you all. My coops are about 200 feet from the nearest outlet, so I have had to take other options to ensure that my flocks are protected from the cold elements. Around early to mid November, I begin to wrap each coop with heavy duty vinyl...
:welcome Welcome aboard, Jenn! Good luck with taking care of your flock..from medical emergencies to protecting from predators. I've learned alot from the many experienced members on this site.
Welcome aboard! Thanks for joining the BYC where folks are more than happy to tell you their personal experiences in raising their flocks. I've learned alot from being on here.
I have several friends tell me that I have the acreage to allow my chickens roam abouts, but I'm with you..I'd rather keep my chickens cooped up and protected, than to allow for them to free range and become an all-you-can-eat buffet meals for the hawks, eagles, falcons, coyotes, foxes, et al.
I installed a solar panel electrical system in one of my gun club's shipping container this morning.
I brushed out the mangled hairs on both my Chow Chow and Husky.
I drank a six pack of beer as an appetizer before dinner.
:welcome Welcome aboard and thanks for joining our happy family. We were all new once, so please do not hesitate to ask questions and learn from each of our experiences. Sorry to hear about your loss..we do have a predator sub-forum you can visit tolearn more about preventing future attacks.