Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[gladahmae]

I'v only been in the area for about two years, but so far it's pretty nice! I'm more of a Holly/ Fenton girl, and I miss home... I miss the trees! Anyway, thank you for the reply!

I'm still not sold on getting a rooster yet. They are absolutely breath taking, but I think I should get some experience with hens first. As far as the coop, I'm really taken by the Nieman Marcus coop! HA! But really, we're going to start building it this weekend, and we have a few ideas. Our main concerns are predators. We have a lot of coyotes here and hear them nightly. We also have hawks and bald eagles aplenty (also why I'm fearful of getting bantams). So it has to be a fortress. We want an good size run because I won't let them free when someone's not home (because of the predators). However we do have two acres, so when I get home, they have plenty of room to explore. We are building close to the house so we can keep a watchful eye on the girls. Finally, I want a coop large enough to accomodate more members if (maybe I should say, "When"?) the desire should arise.

Realistically, I don't want to spend a fortune (sorry Neiman Marcus). My husband and I are avid builders of anything wood, and honestly I think the idea of having another project is his main motivation for the chickens! So... with all of this information, what do you think? Also, any suggestions on easy heating for the coop? I just hate the idea of the cold! I have even thought of building a "Fort" type removable wall to try to protect from some snow and wind... It sure has been windy lately, hasn't it? Admittedly, that may not be neccesary... Do they go back in if they're cold? That's probably a stupid question....

Thank you for the help and warm welcome! You guys are great!

the purina coop has good reviews, isn't too expensive to build, and has a pretty efficient/basic shape, so maybe look into that. (you can search for it via google, or in the coops sub-forum.) coyotes are nocturnal 99% of the time around here, so as long as the COOP is secure, they shouldn't be able to get in and your ladies should be fine. coons are probably more worrisome IMO since they are soooo smart and have thumbs. Heck! I'm more concerned about our dogs getting at the chickens than anything else!

Some on here tarp or put plastic over their run walls for winter protection, and that's the plan for me for our grow-out coop. We're on the east edge of a field and get a lot of wind. I don't worry about the hens so much, but I'd be a little concerned about the chicks. As for them going out in bad weather.....mine stay in a lot more on windy or rainy days. Cold isn't really an issue for them from what I've read.

 

[ladyrsanti]

Wow!!!! That is CRAZY and awesome!!! So what..you can eat it? Mushrooms are always a mystery to me...hubby doesn't like them so I usually don't bother much with them...we get them all over our yard this time of year...anyone have a good resource for what is safe to eat? Some of them look so white, and delicious!! lol!

Yeah, they're really tasty and I read that they use them as a delicacy staple on Iron Chef all the time but I guess I've never really paid much attention to what kind of mushrooms they use on that show. It's kind of like preparing a cauliflower head though. You cut off the little "florets" from the main trunk mass and those are the tasty bits. The stem part is tough.

As for a resource, I personally don't rely on any one source. I've got a few people in my family who know a bit and an identification book and of course the internet. I'm chicken when it comes to mushrooms so I like to cross-reference before I try anything.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Been farting around online here today, and i made a member page! Didn't know there was such a thing! But here it is, it's an encyclopedia of health related things i have found on here.

I haven't gotten to the disease part, i have notes in a notebook for those links but i ran out of time today

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/fuzzys-notes

 

[mrshaggie810]

Yeah, they're really tasty and I read that they use them as a delicacy staple on Iron Chef all the time but I guess I've never really paid much attention to what kind of mushrooms they use on that show. It's kind of like preparing a cauliflower head though. You cut off the little "florets" from the main trunk mass and those are the tasty bits. The stem part is tough.

As for a resource, I personally don't rely on any one source. I've got a few people in my family who know a bit and an identification book and of course the internet. I'm chicken when it comes to mushrooms so I like to cross-reference before I try anything.

That's awesome! Yeah, the only two people in my family that I know of who would know have both passed away...my husbands great uncle, and my grandpa...obviously I can search online, but I don't even know where to start. :/

 

[Stacykins]

I hope everyone is enjoying the last bits of warm weather before winter strikes. Today is sunny and beautiful here, with a 'fall chill' in the air. i just got in from taking my goat girls Suzie Q and Yoko on a long walk, totally off lead. I let 'em out while I was puttering around the yard, filling waterers and whatno, they stay close to the area they knowt. But then I went out to check the sugar water levels at the beehives, and the two followed me.

I just kept on walking for the fun of it, and they stayed with me. I've walked them before plenty of times on the lead, just never off. We weren't on a road or anything dangerous, though. Just a trail. And they LOVED it and so did I! They were all bouncy and happy, and didn't test their 'boundaries'. Nope, they never went farther from 10 feet away from me. The family dogs aren't even trustworthy like that (but they are beagle mixes, and beagles are pretty well known for not being good off a leash)!

The chickens joined us on the walk 'til the goats and I got out of their 'range'. Too far from the chicken coop, and they stop, as if there were an invisible fence. Or they just figured out I wasn't going to dispense any more treats and wandered off.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Check out this setup! Found this member's page
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/lake-norman-coop-de-ville-waterer-and-feeder

That looks so clean and do-able!

 

[SillyChicken]

Here's my take on coops.

Build at minimum, twice as big as you think you need or want. (or as big as you are allowed to)

Build tall enough that you can stand up in to work/clean, it shouldn't be back breaking work!! (plus the building may end up being used for something else some day...when you build a bigger coop)

Build more square than long and thin (harder to maneuver a pitchfork in a narrow coop, trust me I know!)

Build a human door that you can unlock from the inside! LOL! and separate chicken pop door.

Install electricity! You'll need lights and you may need to plug in a water heater or temporary heat source.
install an auto door to open and close when you want to sleep in, or can't get home right at dusk every night.

If you can build a separate area (attached) for storing food/bedding and supplies and gathering eggs - do it!

I think there are pros n cons for wood or dirt floors. Next one I do will have dirt.

Windows that open for light and ventilation. Cover all openings with hardware cloth. (Don't use "chicken wire" that stuffs only good for crafts and gardening!)

Extra ventilation vents that you can adjust as needed in winter. I would suggest adjustable foundation vents or similar.

Wide roosts, so the chickens can cover their feet at night with their bodies... important in cold weather.

Gutters to keep your coop yard drier. Wet conditions encourage the nasties that make the birds sick and fosters odors!

Some people like using poop boards under the roosts.


anyone else want to add their thoughts?

 

[snowflake]

Here's my take on coops.

Build at minimum, twice as big as you think you need or want. (or as big as you are allowed to)

Build tall enough that you can stand up in to work/clean, it shouldn't be back breaking work!! (plus the building may end up being used for something else some day...when you build a bigger coop)

Build more square than long and thin (harder to maneuver a pitchfork in a narrow coop, trust me I know!)

Build a human door that you can unlock from the inside! LOL! and separate chicken pop door.

Install electricity! You'll need lights and you may need to plug in a water heater or temporary heat source.
install an auto door to open and close when you want to sleep in, or can't get home right at dusk every night.

If you can build a separate area (attached) for storing food/bedding and supplies and gathering eggs - do it!

I think there are pros n cons for wood or dirt floors. Next one I do will have dirt.

Windows that open for light and ventilation. Cover all openings with hardware cloth. (Don't use "chicken wire" that stuffs only good for crafts and gardening!)

Extra ventilation vents that you can adjust as needed in winter. I would suggest adjustable foundation vents or similar.

Wide roosts, so the chickens can cover their feet at night with their bodies... important in cold weather.

Gutters to keep your coop yard drier. Wet conditions encourage the nasties that make the birds sick and fosters odors!

Some people like using poop boards under the roosts.


anyone else want to add their thoughts?

very well done

 

[snowflake]

how is your dog, Silly? has he had his surgery yet?

 

[SillyChicken]

how is your dog, Silly? has he had his surgery yet?

Well... he hasn't had his leg surgery yet because the day before his surgery, he ended up with an intestinal blockage (actually glad it happened before the surgery). After multiple trips to the vet for xrays, I'm happy to report the rock has exited Gino this morning. I'll reschedule the leg surgery in a couple weeks to make sure he's fully recovered from his rock eating.

Thanks so much for asking..... I love my doggies!