Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[juliemarie]

Hello. I am a new chicken mom! I have week old chicks, 2 buff orphingtons, 2 black sex links, 2 ameraucanas, and 1 golden sebright, ( an impulse pick because it was so cute, now just found out what is was). I am planning on keeping hens only, not sure what I will end up with. I am planning a coop that is 4 x4 and run 4 x 10. Will this be enough and will I need to insulate this coop for the winter? I plan on free ranging them for few hours in the evening when I am home and can be outside with them. I just want to make sure they will be comfortable when they cannot get out. I am also concerned with the sebright, do they winter well? Any other thoughts on this breed, so far it is very docile and will quickly fall asleep when it is held and doesn't protest when picked up.

 

[jlynnet]

Welcome juliemarie! If you can build it larger do it. Make the outside as large as possible, so when they're not free ranging they have lots of room to scratch.

 

[chickflick]

4x4 seems a bit small for 7 hens. By the time you put in nest boxes and roosts, there won't be much room for them. During this winter, my hens were in a lot more than usual. If the coop is too small, it will cause problems. Mainly picking on each other. They need their own space just like us humans. Build your coop well, and you won't have to insulate. The main thing is having good ventlation without the coop being drafty. That said, I did insulate my coop, just because I wanted them to be comfortable during the winter. Make your coop bigger. A lot of complaints of making coops too small, never a complaint that they made it too big. Once you fall in love with your hens and enjoy the fresh eggs, you'll want more chickens. I guarantee it!!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi Juliemarie, welcome to BYC and the Michigan thread

For standard sized birds, minimum is four square feet of floor space in the coop, and 10 in the run, per bird. Bigger is better. Crowding birds increases the chances of illness and pecking issues. A 4x4 coop could comfortably hold four birds, same with a 4x10 run.

 

[Opa]

This morning I had intended to go fishing on the lower Huron river in hopes of getting steelhead or walleye. Last Monday I caught a huge walleye but could keep it due to the season being closed. I was hoping that the cooler weather and water temperatures would mean both species would still be in the river. However with the forecasted rain and high winds I opted to stay home.

I hadn't seen a turkey so late this morning as I sat visiting with my son David and his wife I was surprised when Granny shouted "There's a turkey". Knowing that if I went out the back door I would be spotted I went out the front door, circled the house, and then using the chicken coops to hide me from the bird I advanced to within 30 yards. Once shot from my 12 gauge with 3 1/2" turkey loads dropping him in his tracks. One inch spurs and a 9 inch beard. Not bad for a backyard tom. Plus a yucky day made better.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

@juliemarie -Definitely go bigger if possible. Wish I would have been on this site before I started, but these guys in mi have alot of good advice and tried and true methods to help you along the way. I said I was only having 4, then it went to 9 and now I'm at 15 and wanting a few more still. I have to wait till DH can build me a bigger coop now. The fresh eggs are great, some of the birds are like household pets and have wonderful personalities. I love all of mine

Good luck and enjoy

 

[lbrykowski2011]

This morning I had intended to go fishing on the lower Huron river in hopes of getting steelhead or walleye. Last Monday I caught a huge walleye but could keep it due to the season being closed. I was hoping that the cooler weather and water temperatures would mean both species would still be in the river. However with the forecasted rain and high winds I opted to stay home.

I hadn't seen a turkey so late this morning as I sat visiting with my son David and his wife I was surprised when Granny shouted "There's a turkey". Knowing that if I went out the back door I would be spotted I went out the front door, circled the house, and then using the chicken coops to hide me from the bird I advanced to within 30 yards. Once shot from my 12 gauge with 3 1/2" turkey loads dropping him in his tracks. One inch spurs and a 9 inch beard. Not bad for a backyard tom. Plus a yucky day made better.

Nice looking bird there, enjoy!

 

[SillyChicken]

Nice Tom Sam!

 

[jlynnet]

Great way to make the day better Sam!

 

[The Dixie Chick]

Quote:
welcome to BYC! there's lots of good information, and many friendly peeps! (chicken joke!) -Jeym again, PM me if you're feeling blue or just want to talk! :3