Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[uchytil]

I just found the time to really look for this thread. Between work, building the coop and run, and caring for the girls things have been really hectic. I am from the way northern part of the lower penninsula. I have 19 hens of various breeds that are 4-5 months old. I had a hard time sending all of the roosters away but my mini farm is too close to other houses and I have no desire to do any breeding. I would like people to chime in on whether they have insulation and or heat in their coops. I figure what better place to ask than the Michigan thread. Also, I have a pump/nipple watering system, are you all heating the your water source? I have several friends that have chickens but their farming methods are pretty crude.

I would not heat your coop. If you lose heat in the winter the birds will be too used to it and may not handle the cold well. Like most people on here, we've been raising multitudes of animals and use no heat and they all do well. There are instances such as birthing that may require a heat lamp, etc. Some people do use a broad spectrum light, say 60Watt, to keep birds laying, however, some feel the birds should be allowed a winter rest period. Like RaZ wrote, ventilation is the most important thing to work on. Welcome, stick around, and share!

 

[chickflick]

I CAN NOT, just CAN NOT believe how freakin COLD it is outside!!! Misty, breezy and COLD!!! This has been such a cool summer. A few hot and humid days thrown in here and there, but basically a crappy summer. But, we stilll had fun camping all over MI with the grandkids. One we did adults only and had a blast, too. One more camping trip planned. Doing a Halloween camping trip with the grandkids. They really love the adventures. Got to spend time with them while we can. They get so involved in other things and have to fight to see them. Right now, they still enjoy spending time with the old folks.

Enjoy your day...

 

[Trefoil]

now we get to blame it on you,right??

Noooooooooo. I was just an innocent bystander, well actually I did buy a young female BR turkey for my lonesome tom, 2 chocolate muscovies- cause I just couldn't turn down the cuteness, and then followed a fella home and got what I hope are a pr of 7 week old midnight blackshoulder pea babies.

 

[1muttsfan]

No heat here either, and one window in my coop stays at least a little open all year. Insulation is fine if you would like. I use metal platform heater with metal waterers, works great.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I have been popping in on other sourronding state threads to pass on some information about a swap meet coming up in Indiana. Hope to see some of you there.

Northeast Indiana Poultry Swap Meet
~Buy/Sell/Trade poultry and supplies~
Place: The poultry building at the Wells Co. 4-H park
Location: Bluffton, Indiana
Date: Sunday, October 5th
Time: 10am-4pm

Vendor fee (1 table)=$10
Sellers fee (1 cage (LF 1-3/bantam 1-4 per cage))=$5
Admission=FREE!!!

Aside from the chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, turkeys, etc. people will bring to sell, we hope to have some vendors selling supplies such as leg bands, treats, feeders/waterers, egg cartons, vitamins and supplements, etc.

We would like you to pre-register by email, but will accept the payments at the day of the swap. We may be able to accept walk ups depending on space.

To register email [email protected]

 

[iamfivewire]

thanx for sharing the info CC

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Yep, no problem

 

[mindylee]

@ Snowflake:

Its the fanciers show at the birch run expo on Sat/Sun Oct 11/12.

 

[snowflake]

I have been popping in on other sourronding state threads to pass on some information about a swap meet coming up in Indiana. Hope to see some of y

@ Snowflake:

Its the fanciers show at the birch run expo on Sat/Sun Oct 11/12.

sounds interesting, may have to try to drive over.

welcome Z, I do not heat, this yr. I will have 1 insulated and 1 non insulated coop, I keep my water and food out year round, gets the hens out of the coop, they have a covered area out side. I have a cookie tin heater that I put 1 plastic water on and 2 lg. heated waterers for winter.
the cookie tin water heater is very easy to make and I believe there are directions on BYC some place

 

[Stacykins]

A special hen of mine is not feeling well. Which worries me, since once a chicken acts 'off' they're quite far gone.

She's getting some TLC in a crate inside the house. That way she doesn't have to work so hard to stay warm. But her eyes and nares are clear, no wheezing or snot production, she isn't eggbound, and has no loose stools. No sour crop, either. But in the coop she was just standing aside from the others, all fluffed up.