Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Trefoil]

Ok I'm trying to be patient and smart, building the coop before I get any chickens. I have an electrician coming to put a couple outlets in the coop. Two outlets should be plenty, right? The coop is 8' X 8' My question is, after the electrician is done, I plan on adding a paneling on the interior walls, should I also insulate it?

Hubby says "Whatever you want" (well trained hubby lol) Also, I was going to put a motion sensored porch light on the front, good idea?
Also planning on building a run of about 20' X 30' off the back. I ordered my automatic door (ADOR1) this morning. Do I need a feeder in the run as well as one in the coop? My original plan is for 4 hens but have also been reading about chicken math!

Sounds like its going to work out very well. Your run sounds good, just remember chicken wire doesn't work on anything other than chickens. However I've used it to cover a run and so far so good. It supports the tarp I use to cover 1/2 the run.

 

[RTFchickens]

Paintwife, I love the coup!
Just FYI, chicken math IS real! Started with 13, and only lasted a day before getting another bakers dozen.
Coup looks like its plenty big enough to accommodate "chicken math" lol

 

[Folly's place]

Very nice coop! Do you have ventilation under the soffets? Make sure your windows are covered in hardware cloth, not screening. I'd definitely insulate, at least the ceiling, under the paneling. Easy now, hard to retrofit. Chicken math!! I'vr got 69 birds right now; plan to overwinter ONLY 30 to 35! Started with three bantams 20 years ago... Mary

 

[Folly's place]

dwalters, I do have a cute year old cock to go. He's from Eagle Nest Hatchery last spring, an outcross for my flock. Also available cockrels born this year, and some pullets; too soon to sex the youngest, but in three to four weeks there will be more choices, all millies. Mary

 

[Folly's place]

dwalters, I do have a cute year old cock to go. He's from Eagle Nest Hatchery last spring, an outcross for my flock. Also available cockrels born this year, and some pullets; too soon to sex the youngest, but in three to four weeks there will be more choices, all millies. Mary

 

[preciouskitty]

Might I just say, that is a beautiful coop! Inside pictures please!

X2!! Absolutely gorgeous!
And chicken math is VERY real!

 

[NovaAman]

Chicken math is not real. It is just an excuse for all ya'll to not control yourselves. I on the other had do not have that problem at all. I mean, just because I have to build a new coop every year, and sometimes 2... and I have only had chickens for 2 years... and there is no such thing as chicken math. Ya'll just can't control yourselves. Me... I can stop any time I want. Now... where did I put that drill and screws....

 

[Lisa and girls]

Chicken math is not real. It is just an excuse for all ya'll to not control yourselves. I on the other had do not have that problem at all. I mean, just because I have to build a new coop every year, and sometimes 2... and I have only had chickens for 2 years... and there is no such thing as chicken math. Ya'll just can't control yourselves. Me... I can stop any time I want. Now... where did I put that drill and screws....

Oh, wow. The denial stage....

 

[Jake Levi]

Paintwife I like that coop ! How long before you can get it over here??

With it enclosed I really wouldnt be concerned about insulating, unless you plan to keep bantam breeds like silkies. A 100 watt light over the roosts should be plenty of heat for full sized chickens. But insulating wont hurt. For sure put hardware cloth over the windows. For capacity the rule of thumb is 4 sq ft per hen. So you could nicely keep 8 hens. I'd even go up to 12 and a rooster with that sized outside run.

Re my Delawares I am rehoming, I have a local lady interested, if she doesnt take them I will repost here. I do want a good home for them, I am hoping next year to have a chicken house built and more pens so I can have the Delawares again.

 

[preciouskitty]

Oh, wow. The denial stage....

I am laughing sooo hard

I HAVE reached acceptance...and I have only had chickens for 4 1/2 months!!!!