Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[uchytil]

Since I'm thinking my goats will be berthing April through June I had planned on installing permanent stalls with gates, etc.. My new brainstorm is to build stock panels and when needed erect them for the kidding and subsequent nursing until the kids can go in with the herd. I hate wasting space and I like the idea of re-purposing the panels. I'll build the panels myself and hinge two panels. I'm thinking 4' height and length per panel. I can configure them without gates and stabilize them on the barn walls. Not sure about creep space but maybe I don't need this? Any thoughts? Oh yeah, one huge reason to not build permanent stalls is my son's fiance' has asked to use our barn/property for her wedding reception after a Lake Michigan beach wedding in August. Having an open floor plan will be a good idea I think. Right now the turkeys live in a "tear-down" coop in the barn and having options like that seem practical to me. So, again, thoughts?

 

[aart]

Since I'm thinking my goats will be berthing April through June I had planned on installing permanent stalls with gates, etc.. My new brainstorm is to build stock panels and when needed erect them for the kidding and subsequent nursing until the kids can go in with the herd. I hate wasting space and I like the idea of re-purposing the panels. I'll build the panels myself and hinge two panels. I'm thinking 4' height and length per panel. I can configure them without gates and stabilize them on the barn walls. Not sure about creep space but maybe I don't need this? Any thoughts? Oh yeah, one huge reason to not build permanent stalls is my son's fiance' has asked to use our barn/property for her wedding reception after a Lake Michigan beach wedding in August. Having an open floor plan will be a good idea I think. Right now the turkeys live in a "tear-down" coop in the barn and having options like that seem practical to me. So, again, thoughts?

Adjustable fabrication/construction is often difficult and more expensive to build but be sooo flexible if done right....really opens the possibilities to multi-function your facility which may save money in the long run.

 

[birdman55]

just a little snow here, mostly rain

this is the coop my grandson built for me this summer,the truck topper was FREE on the side of the road, the cupboards were from our kitchen several years ago roosts are 2x4s from one side to the other over poop boards, (the top of the cupboard) covered with feed bags nest box is below, they didn't like the drawer but keeping in open makes the area below darker

large run to right is uncovered area to left is covered with tarps and has tarps on 2 1/2 sides to block wind,,, food and water are in the covered area

very functional...by mother and father got me a pair of white crested polish and that coop is something just like theres....topper and all...I cant wait to get them....they will be the first chicken that I will breed pure....I cant wait....

 

[1muttsfan]

Since I'm thinking my goats will be berthing April through June I had planned on installing permanent stalls with gates, etc..

For a minute I thought your goats were going on a cruise

A lot of sheep farmers that I know build temporary stalls with pallets - just add 3 pallets for a new stall when each ewe lambs. They can often be had for free, and repurpose well. Or you could try these

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/build-lambing-jug.aspx

Wonder why they call them jugs?

 

[bigmrg74]

Since I'm thinking my goats will be berthing April through June I had planned on installing permanent stalls with gates, etc.. My new brainstorm is to build stock panels and when needed erect them for the kidding and subsequent nursing until the kids can go in with the herd. I hate wasting space and I like the idea of re-purposing the panels. I'll build the panels myself and hinge two panels. I'm thinking 4' height and length per panel. I can configure them without gates and stabilize them on the barn walls. Not sure about creep space but maybe I don't need this? Any thoughts? Oh yeah, one huge reason to not build permanent stalls is my son's fiance' has asked to use our barn/property for her wedding reception after a Lake Michigan beach wedding in August. Having an open floor plan will be a good idea I think. Right now the turkeys live in a "tear-down" coop in the barn and having options like that seem practical to me. So, again, thoughts?

Eh, for a wedding reception it might just be a simpler option to just rent a tent to set up somewhere on your farm, and minding the city slickers sensibilities, you might want not let your critters in that spot for a week or so that there's no poop in the tent area. How big is your barn area anyways?? A simple powwow with the bride and groom should have them trying to figure out the top guestimate of guests there for the reception.

 

[A2Kzoo2]

welcome A2K   love your St. he looks like a short hair,   our daughter has one We baby sit  when they go away and he comes up every Sun.   he does quite well he is about 5      It didn't take to long for him to learn    our dog was raised with them ...I think the olderthe dog and the better he listens to commands the easier it is to train

Thanks.
Yes, he`s a smooth coat saint, though his dad was a rough coat, so his coat is thicker than most smooth coats. He`s fairly well trained, but a bit stubborn and lazy. Very food oriented, though, so hopefully that will help.

My Dane is the scardy pup and barks at anything new (sunflowers when they just open, or a/c units when they are first put in the window). He actually may be nervous about the chickens at first. On the other hand, the 2 of them herded and hunted a poor blue jay fledgeling last year, so I`m a little worried about their hunting insticts coming out. I guess I`ll just have to work with them daily until they settle down.

 

[Brennigan]

Who made the reuseable bags last year from CS? I can't attend this year, but I've gotten so many compliments on that bag that I have to buy more!

It's dropping from 34* tonight to 9* tomorrow evening. Should I take any precautionary heating measures? our two girls don't have anything supplemental right now, but the sudden drop in temperature worries me a bit since we only have the two right now...

 

[JackieandChicks]

Who made the reuseable bags last year from CS? I can't attend this year, but I've gotten so many compliments on that bag that I have to buy more!

It's dropping from 34* tonight to 9* tomorrow evening. Should I take any precautionary heating measures? our two girls don't have anything supplemental right now, but the sudden drop in temperature worries me a bit since we only have the two right now...

If you are really worried you can house them overnight in a dog carrier with bedding. I have four young chicks I am going to do that with so they keep warmer. Extra bedding, too.

 

[uchytil]

Eh, for a wedding reception it might just be a simpler option to just rent a tent to set up somewhere on your farm, and minding the city slickers sensibilities, you might want not let your critters in that spot for a week or so that there's no poop in the tent area. How big is your barn area anyways?? A simple powwow with the bride and groom should have them trying to figure out the top guestimate of guests there for the reception.

The first floor is 48 by 32. The upstairs is as large but filled with hay, straw, and equipment so I'll rope off the stairs. They are also setting up a huge white tent. If my son wants this he's going to be working a full day just to empty it out and another day, or two, cleaning it to her standards, lol! These barn wedding/receptions are the hot ticket right now I guess. I even had to save some cherry rounds from my maple syrup wood. She wants me to make random thickness plates/serving trays from them. Another thing people seem to be doing. Ahh, young love.

 

[uchytil]

For a minute I thought your goats were going on a cruise

A lot of sheep farmers that I know build temporary stalls with pallets - just add 3 pallets for a new stall when each ewe lambs. They can often be had for free, and repurpose well. Or you could try these

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/build-lambing-jug.aspx

Wonder why they call them jugs?

Thank you! I'm really hoping I come up with a solid system. Seems like forward thinking anyway. Easier to clean up later on.