Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

We had every kind of weather that you can think of. Sun, rain, snow, sleet, and lake wind. From wearing sunglasses to turning on the lights just to see the road.

I guess that's why the contractors didn't show...again. A return phone call would have been nice.

Wild turkey keep visiting. Yesterday I had a flock of about 30, today a different flock of about 20. They always get my big tom excited when they visit.

Chicks are doing well in the new coop. So far, no losses. The coop isn't Fort Knox yet, but it's getting closer. Heck, it survived a tree falling on it. Free firewood.

Hope you are all doing well.

 

[SillyChicken]

Way to stay positive Raz....
I predict a long c-c-c-cold winter too!

Speaking of which...... This advise goes out every year, and every year people disregard it and they lose their coop and birds!

Poultry Service announcement -
You do NOT need to have a heat lamp for your birds in winter. Heat lamps are easily broken and can cause a fire. Chickens die in coop fires every year! Do your best to set your coop up properly before winter so you don't have to worry.

• Make sure your coop is ventilated, but no drafts on the birds.
  
• Change bedding often, ventilation will keep moisture and ammonia, down in the bedding too.
• Place roosting boards flattest side up so the birds can lay on their feet.
• Ceramic heaters (like those for reptiles)can provide some heat without high risk of fire, though there is always a risk with a heat source. Make sure to secure anything used so the birds cannot knock it down, trust me they will find a way!
  
• Keep the coop/run as dry as possible - wet feet/combs = frost bite!
  
• Check them often for frost bite, skin will turn black first, then the part will shrivel up and fall off. IF treated early they may recover.
  
• Feed good quality feeds in winter, extra scratch, grains, protein (crickets/worms from sporting/pet stores). food creates energy to keep your birds warm.
• Worm your birds in the fall (now) so they can use all their energy to get through winter without being a host as well.
  
• Don't forget to provide a source of gravel for the birds to grind their food, esp if you give them hard grains. Gravel can be harder for the birds to get to in winter.
• If you can, use water heaters to keep the water from freezing. (I personally keep my water/heater in a small dog house outside in the run, to keep moisture down in the coop).
• if you have a covered run, keep an eye on wet snow and ice - they will weigh down a run cover causing collapse. Even bird netting will hold snow!

If anyone else has any suggestions - feel free to add to the list!

 

[chickflick]

Today is a good day, at least here. Hope the contractors show up today so you can get that garage roofed before the snow starts falling.
I'm going to try and get the coop cleaned today. So much to do to get ready for winter. Can it just stay fall?

 

[aart]

All those are good!
I'll add...
closed waterer(horizontal nipples) to reduce moisture evaporation.

...and a couple exceptions.

Should always use quality feed, and digestion of any feed will 'create heat'.
My birds all fill their crops before roosting.


All I do to reduce humidity is made moot once they start noshing on the snow banks. SMH. That's where I see wattles getting 'bit'...mild on hens, disastrous on cocks.

Check them often for frost bite, skin will turn black first, then the part will shrivel up and fall off. IF treated early they may recover.

Actually mild frostbite is gray/whitish and rarely leads to tissue loss unless bit again.
I don't mess with any frostbite, hands off compromised tissue unless infection sets in.
Have had several necrotic FB cases here, all healed up on it's own.
Maybe I've just been lucky, I documented this scenario last winter.
He also lost part of his left wattle(other was damaged as a chick)prior to comb bite, front edge was pitch black but healed up fast.

 

[aart]

Pretty damn gorgeous out there today, sunny, no wind, and near 60.
Nice surprise when going out to mow east field, lots of very dry oak leaves on the ground.
Was really surprised they were so dry with all the rain we've had.
Didn't get whole field mowed, but got a couple nice loads of leaves for the chicken run to mix with the shavings cleaned out a few weeks ago.

 

[RaZ]

I'd add that if people DO decide to have a light or heat lamp in the coop then make sure that it is triple secured. Preferably with a length of chain. Sting, rope, zip ties and clamps are not good securing methods.Same goes for using a water warming device. All electric cords need to be secured so jumping birds can't knock them loose or get tangled up in them.
Another safety precaution that everyone should have is a fire extinguisher located on the outside of the coop entry door. Heck, you should have them for every building that you have. I have them both inside and out. Coop, garage, shed, and house.

Another thought...forego the light on a timer for extra egg production. Give your hens their natural winter break. They work hard for your benefit. Let them have a rest.

 

[RaZ]

Trusses still are up. No return phone call to reply to my many phone calls.
The owner of the company came into work today for some things. He seemed surprised when I waited on him. So he promised "next week" again. I'm calling around for anyone willing to help. I might have to try to set these things by myself.

 

[aart]

That stinks RaZ.

 

[chickflick]

 

[RaZ]

I'm trying to remain optimistic. Near week for sure, Right?

The county just spread 150 tons of 22A gravel on my road. It looks fantastic. These road commission operators are the best I've even seen. Anytime it snows my dead end dirt road gets plowed. (after the main paved roads of course). One of the operators even told me how to go about requesting the new gravel.
I had to go through the township and I thought I'd be denied. But after an internal meeting they approved my request. I think they like me. They also want me to finish the garage so they can raise my tax assessment.