Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

I need some advice.
I’m new to Michigan, but not be to chickens.
I have questions about keeping chickens in the winter.
Do your chickens use a run during the winter.
Do your coops have to have electric.
If so what for. Water with heater and light. Standard light or for heat?
Does the run need to be covered?
I have all cold hardy breeds. Hens only 14.
I will have a 6x8 coop that I will insulate and block any cracks.

How many chickens are recommended for 6x8 coop.

Welcome to BYC!
Where in MI are you..and where did you move from?
Good questions!

Yes to power for water heater, huge advantage for the keeper...and the birds.
I use supplemental lighting, and a light is also a benefit for just general daytime lighting during the dark days of winter if you don't have a lot of windows.

Runs with a solid roof and winter wind/snow blocks will be of huge benefit for winter space. I would only keep 6, maybe 8, birds in a 6x8 over winter here...but my run is not weather proof, it only has a small sheltered space.
Winter Cabin Fever is real, and ugly.

Insulation is really not needed, more cons(rodent habitat) than pros.
Good ventilation, important all year long, makes insulation kind of moot.
Here's a good discussion on ventilation:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

 

[MississippiMandy]

Welcome to BYC!
Where in MI are you..and where did you move from?
Good questions!

Yes to power for water heater, huge advantage for the keeper...and the birds.
I use supplemental lighting, and a light is also a benefit for just general daytime lighting during the dark days of winter if you don't have a lot of windows.

Runs with a solid roof and winter wind/snow blocks will be of huge benefit for winter space. I would only keep 6, maybe 8, birds in a 6x8 over winter here...but my run is not weather proof, it only has a small sheltered space.
Winter Cabin Fever is real, and ugly.

Insulation is really not needed, more cons(rodent habitat) than pros.
Good ventilation, important all year long, makes insulation kind of moot.
Here's a good discussion on ventilation:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

From Mississippi
Live in Lansing area

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I'm nearby, near Perry.
There's a gathering in June, 'Chickenstock' at a park in west Lansing. It's a pot luck party and fun time, and chickens, bunnies, and maybe other little critters available too.
aart is right on about size of coop, and electricity. Chickens hate snow, so a roofed run that acts as a bigger coop is great. Fourteen birds need much more coop space than 6'x8'!
Mary

 

[aart]

Oh Geez!!
I just took on the job of lamb sitting a bottle baby Wed-Sun.
I met and fed him the other day when dropping off the chicks.
He's pretty chill and amiable, reminded me a of a puppy.
Got place cleared out in the coop shed for a night crate,
Now looking around my fenced yard at all the trouble he could get into,
several garden beds, pondsai...fence him in or fence him out, some of both I think.
Should be a trip.

 

[rachelsflock]

So cute!

 

[Folly's place]

Kids are adorable, and then they grow into goats...
Mary

 

[vintagegem]

Welcome back. I think I need a few buff Orps too.

Thanks Raz. Im pretty excited about getting the buffs, wanted some for years they are so gorgeous. I see you have moved now, the last time I was on here you were in Garden City I think? We like to visit Caseville often, a beautiful area ☺

 

[vintagegem]

Welcome back @vintagegem !

Tomorrow the partition wall comes down and the broody will introduce her 2wo chicks to the the flock...there will probably be fighting, hope it's not too bad.
Better get the creep feeder area built today.

 

[vintagegem]

Thank you!

 

[chickflick]

I live in Dimondale, outside of Lansing. Should come to the Chickenstock picnic