Hello from SE Michigan

[nluoma]

Just got three chickens and am learning so much from this site! I was quietly panicking when my daughter came home with these lovely ladies. Then I found this place! I know summer is just starting, but Michigan winters can be brutal. Would love to hear from other Michiganders on what I need to do to prep for the cold!

 

[DDNONIN2016]

Hello and welcome....so glad you joined BYC

No panicking....You are going to love chicken keeping Its really not that difficult and with BYC right here for you 24 hours a day you will do just fine.

I'm from Ohio so cant help you with coop requirements for Michigan weather. There is a Michigan thread tho. You can find it by clicking on the brown Forum tab at the top then "Social" then "Where am I Where are you". There should be plenty of people there close to you that could advise you on their coop setups.

Good luck to you

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, nluoma, and

! Pleased you joined us! Chickens handle cold better than heat. A draft coop, even without heat, and they will be good to go. Best wishes to you and your flock!

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Hello and welcome to the BYC I'm from Dundee MI, where are you located?

As for winter coop requirements just make sure you have good ventilation up top, but no drafts down at chicken level. Since we get moist cold weather, frostbite is a concern so you need to keep the coop as dry as possible. A raised pop-hole will help keep snow and mud from being tracked into the coop and wetting the bedding.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

I also thought I'd add that, during the summer, good airflow through the coop is important to keep it cool in there. If you can put the coop in the shade of a tree, that should keep it at least a few degrees cooler. I have had a hen get heatstroke while in the nest box before. I usually make Tupperware container ice blocks for the waterers during the 90* + days.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Go to the Social Forum, "Where am I? Where are you!" and locate the Michigan thread. Get some hints and advice from your 'neighbors'.

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hi and

Chickens are pretty hardy, they mostly do fine in the cold, as long as they're dry!
Good luck, and enjoy your chickens.

 

[nluoma]

I live in Willis (between Ann Arbor and Monroe). I love it--out in the country but close to everything!

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Wow you live really close to me then. Howdy neighbor

What kind of lovely ladies did you get?