Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[lbrykowski2011]

Lbry,









Notice my last in pecking order EE pullet "Peep" just looking out the pop door! she and her EE sis Hawkie were the two of my flock that decided to have a mild molt the beginning of December! Those two are staying in the coop for good reason.

That's so weird, cuz my 2 EE's are always the last also. They look pretty happy for as cold as it is.

 

[Amerauchick17]

My two EE get picked on more than their share as well... Both are really docile, which may be why. My Buff Orpington girl is the bully in my flock. She has a huge red comb and struts like a rooster, but I've witnessed her laying an egg so she's definitely a she. I get so mad at her when she goes after and pecks at my previous little EE girl

 

[SillyChicken]

Be careful with the types of seeds you get for sprouting. Feed seeds can be fed directly to live stock... Seed (planting) seeds may have coatings like insecticides and fertilizers on them and probably not the healthiest option.

 

[Kat9191]

I am wondering if I should use the heat lamp in the coop starting Monday for a few days? The girls are in a nice dry 10 x10 coop with vents, covered windows, and door that we put 2 layers of heavy plastic. They have a coop door I keep open because they are in an enclosed run and have been very happy so far. My DH invented a nice water heater with 2 cinder block caps and a cinder block with drop cord inside and their waterer on top so it doesn't freeze. We haven't used the light but I am worried about how cold it's going to get. We live in Fenton, any advice would be appreciated. We have 10 hens and have gotten 5-7 eggs a day since days have gotten shorter, just don't want them to get sick.

 

[Nigellas]

I noticed several children last year that seemed bored out of their minds. Might we organize some old fashioned "fun" for them? Activities like egg toss, sack races, egg carry in spoons races, Softball, kickball, money search contests, ........ Ask your kids what they think???? I spoke with two of our great grandchildren on Christmas Day and they agreed that that kind of thing might be good. 4H activities were suggested too. How about beautiful or ugly chicken competitions? +++++++ I would be willing to chair or be otherwise involved in a group to work on these kinds of things.

A few years ago (3?) we had a candy egg hunt and water ballon toss for the kids (I think the winners got baby chicks someone donated) - I could help with the kid stuff this year.

Some type of ice breakers might be nice for the grown ups too - I'm awful at small talk and meeting people so I mostly stick to myself, which kind of defeats the point of going in the first place, lol.

 

[Nigellas]

I am wondering if I should use the heat lamp in the coop starting Monday for a few days? The girls are in a nice dry 10 x10 coop with vents, covered windows, and door that we put 2 layers of heavy plastic. They have a coop door I keep open because they are in an enclosed run and have been very happy so far. My DH invented a nice water heater with 2 cinder block caps and a cinder block with drop cord inside and their waterer on top so it doesn't freeze. We haven't used the light but I am worried about how cold it's going to get. We live in Fenton, any advice would be appreciated. We have 10 hens and have gotten 5-7 eggs a day since days have gotten shorter, just don't want them to get sick.

This is the first year I put heat in my coop - I went mostly by how my hens were acting. In previous years they would be out in the yard even in a snow storm sometimes. This year they haven't come out hardly at all and spent all day huddled in a ball trying to stay warm. My bantams especially weren't looking good - I added heat a few nights ago and I'm actually pretty glad I did.

 

[Amerauchick17]

I am wondering if I should use the heat lamp in the coop starting Monday for a few days? The girls are in a nice dry 10 x10 coop with vents, covered windows, and door that we put 2 layers of heavy plastic. They have a coop door I keep open because they are in an enclosed run and have been very happy so far. My DH invented a nice water heater with 2 cinder block caps and a cinder block with drop cord inside and their waterer on top so it doesn't freeze. We haven't used the light but I am worried about how cold it's going to get. We live in Fenton, any advice would be appreciated. We have 10 hens and have gotten 5-7 eggs a day since days have gotten shorter, just don't want them to get sick.

I live in Holly! We're practically neighbors! About the heat lamp, it depends on ventialtion, condition of the birds, humidity, etc. I do have a heat lamp in my coop. Ideally you want the temp under 40 degrees, too warm and it's unhealthy for them.

 

[Kat9191]

This is the first year I put heat in my coop - I went mostly by how my hens were acting.  In previous years they would be out in the yard even in a snow storm sometimes.  This year they haven't come out hardly at all and spent all day huddled in a ball trying to stay warm.  My bantams especially weren't looking good - I added heat a few nights ago and I'm actually pretty glad I did. 

thanks for your input !

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I don't even have chickens, so I probly shouldn't be giving advice for chickens, but you know what? I say look at your birds and make the decision based upon what their behavior is telling you. My general rule here is 10'F and below, I turn on the light. If its too warm, my layout is such that birds can leave the warmer area.

 

[Kat9191]

I live in Holly! We're practically neighbors! About the heat lamp, it depends on ventialtion, condition of the birds, humidity, etc. I do have a heat lamp in my coop. Ideally you want the temp under 40 degrees, too warm and it's unhealthy for them.

Well it's really well ventilated and dry, we have a poop board with PDZ, pine shavings on floor , the heat lamp is about 6ft off floor sort of over part of roost, they can't jump on it.