Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

COOP QUESTIONS:

We're building a tractor coop: 1) We're not [technically] allowed to chickens on our property, so something mobile will give us an excuse that the chickens might not be "here to stay" sort of thing. 2) We have 4 gals (maybe 3 depending on if Froozy is a roo or not). 3) We're on a 1/2 acre, so I'd like to let them scratch at the whole yard round Spring, Summer, Fall.

Anywho, our coop base (on top of a tractor bed made for 1,000lbs) is 4 1/2' x 3 1/3' with 4 foot walls. My questions are...

What can I do to the bottom to make it easy to clean?
I was thinking two would be nice, especially if we end up with the four hens.

What do hens need as far as roosting?

I would try to find the stuff they make shower stalls out of, it is flexible and easy to clean,thin and easy to clean.
1 nest box will work they all seem to want to use the same one,
for roost, you could screw a 2x4 to towards one end of the coop I found if I screw it in the middle they have a harder time getting up so I screw it towards one of the sides so they have jumping room
our tractor coops are 4x4 with the top opening and an opening in the bottom back so they can be cleaned out

I have 5 birds in those boxs now 1 roo with 4 hens, they have been in them for a couple weeks now to separate breeds and seem to be doing OK despite the cold we have an 8' x 4' run attached to the front. old trampoline floor made a good shade cover also covered part of the run with tarp so they had a rain free area, And I am big about keeping food and water outside to keep the coop clean

 

[snowflake]

we were newly transplanted city people. Local grain elevator offered 20 free chicks with purchase of 50lb feed. Well us dumb city slickers ended up with 20 White Leghorn roosters! One was so mean he rode the neighbor's dog halfway to the road before jumping off. That was 30 years ago, and we've learned a lot about country life since then, but Dad still has "fond" memories of sending them all to freezer camp as you all call it. lol

Also, suggestions on which breed's roosters are the least aggressive?

love the story about the roo riding the dog, bet that dog never came back in the yard

you might want the chickens some place you can see from the house, I wanted to put ours up front by the barn, DH thought the low spot in the back was better(less wind we are on a hill) I am glad I let him win, I can see them from the kitchen window and they are great entertainment

and yes We have had a lot of roosters of different breeds. some good some not, Good suggestion about getting one from BYC lots of good roo's we don't want to put in the freezer but you can only keep so many

Docile roosters are a bit of a crap shoot...not really one breed that can be guaranteed to be docile.

well said !!

 

[BigHope888]

Zndzant, Brennigan, and all you other newbies, don't be shy with the questions! I'm reading answers along with you and getting my info in advance, so thank you! I hope to be a chicken momma within a year, and then it will be my turn to do the asking

 

[RaZ]

What can I do to the bottom to make it easy to clean?
I looked at sealants and paint and concrete last night at Lowe's, but I have no idea what is chicken safe. The bottom of the coup consists of OSB board, 2x4 filled with insulation, and a top OSB board. The board is pretty rough, and I'd like a floor that I can make for easy clean-up.

You might end up having to replace the OSB. If it gets exposed to water it can start to disintegrate. You can help by putting down a layer of sheet vinyl flooring which is also easy to clean. Get enough that you can put some around the base of the walls.

 

[aart]

You might end up having to replace the OSB. If it gets exposed to water it can start to disintegrate. You can help by putting down a layer of sheet vinyl flooring which is also easy to clean. Get enough that you can put some around the base of the walls.

Agrees, nothing worse than wet osb.

if you curve the vinyl up the sides, which is good idea, get they vinyl with the foamlike backing.
The paper backed stuff is more likely to crack when bent.

 

[RaZ]

I seem to be getting quite a few transient critters lately. I have a number of permanent wildlife residents including several squirrels who are hand tamed.
This is a new visitor.

A black squirrel showed up last week, He had no hair on his tail and at first glance, I thought it was a rat. Today you can see that the hair is growing back and is fairly red. He is quickly learning that he can get a quick snack. I think he will be hand tamed within a week or so.

This is "Stubby", another new visitor.

 

[mindylee]

Bought a new book today at TSC call the Chicken Encyclopedia.

Its a pretty neat book. Started to read and learned I have cannibalistic hens in my coop. I knew someone or a few someone's where picking feathers from my roosters but didnt think much about it. Now I know what to do to try and stop it besides separating the hen (s) that are doing this. 1st I need to catch her (them). But in the mean time I can do some prevention to help stop her (them).

All in all its a good and helpful/useful book!

 

[SillyChicken]

Bought a new book today at TSC call the Chicken Encyclopedia.

Its a pretty neat book. Started to read and learned I have cannibalistic hens in my coop. I knew someone or a few someone's where picking feathers from my roosters but didnt think much about it. Now I know what to do to try and stop it besides separating the hen (s) that are doing this. 1st I need to catch her (them). But in the mean time I can do some prevention to help stop her (them).

All in all its a good and helpful/useful book!

some people say this is a lack of protein in the diet. I am not 100% sure if that is it, but you can add protein by giving them cooked eggs, mealy worms etc. I discovered over the winter why my sumatra roo never has nice tail feathers. My hens ate him up! He's a good boy and just takes it from them.

 

[SillyChicken]

COOP QUESTIONS:

We're building a tractor coop: 1) We're not [technically] allowed to chickens on our property, so something mobile will give us an excuse that the chickens might not be "here to stay" sort of thing. 2) We have 4 gals (maybe 3 depending on if Froozy is a roo or not). 3) We're on a 1/2 acre, so I'd like to let them scratch at the whole yard round Spring, Summer, Fall.

At this time, I would not get a roo if you're not technically allowed to have them. No sense drawing attention to yourself.

Anywho, our coop base (on top of a tractor bed made for 1,000lbs) is 4 1/2' x 3 1/3' with 4 foot walls. (max allowance for 3.98 birds @ 4 sq ft per) My questions are...

What can I do to the bottom to make it easy to clean?
I looked at sealants and paint and concrete last night at Lowe's, but I have no idea what is chicken safe. The bottom of the coup consists of OSB board, 2x4 filled with insulation, and a top OSB board. The board is pretty rough, and I'd like a floor that I can make for easy clean-up.

I used treated plywood for the floor of my coop, then covered it with sheet vinyl flooring. fold it up the sides and put trim up to hold in place. OSB is not the best choice, but since you have it already, you could prime and paint with any exterior paint latex, to limit de-lamination, and then I would still cover it with sheet vinyl. What kind of insulation? Fiberglass or foam type? Make sure the fiberglass cannot get wet or it will no longer work and will cause mold and other issues. And make sure the birds cannot access either type, they will eat it.

How many nesting boxes do I need?
I was thinking two would be nice, especially if we end up with the four hens.

You would think they would each want their own... but I would say two would suffice, Generally they'll all pile in and fight over just one box. I had two hens share a nest and hatch out a clutch this summer. They raised the chicks together, but they eventually followed just one hen.

What do hens need as far as roosting?
Do they simply need a series of ramps, or big dowel-like ladder areas? And how big for just the 4 ladies?

Ramps or steps not nec in a small coop, but you can if you want. I would recommend 2x4 with the 4" side up for the birds to roost on. It will help keep their feet warm in winter. And I would do the roost as long as you can to allow them space between each other when it's hot.

Thanks, everyone in advance! Happy Weekend!

My personal opinion may not be the same as everyone elses.

 

[SillyChicken]

Still not right, but feeling better. No idea what caused it. Thanks for the kind wishes.