Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

It was off a website called smart draw. I'm new to the building aspect but want to get good at it. What do you think proper dimensions should be cause people mentioned chicken math which I'm not quite sure how to calculate that.

So you have no building or drafting experience?
I suggest you look at a ton of coops here and their layout, then start sketching on graph paper.

'Chicken Math' is when people just keep getting more and more chickens cause they're so cute and cool, but don't think about proper housing space.
Rule of Thumb is minimum 4sqft per bird in coop and 10sqft per bird in run,
But in Michigan I'd double the coop space,
much can depend on your run and whether it can be fully used in winter.

There's a lot to learn about chicken housing,
it's like getting a drink of water out of a fire hose.
Many different set ups for many different keepers and their different climate and goals.
I spent 6 months reading here almost full time before deciding waht to do and more importantly what not to do....and I am an experienced designer.

The space over there was the entrance from in and out of the coop to go into the fencing area.

The 'pop door', for the chickens to get from coop to run, can go in any wall.

 

[riss]

So you have no building or drafting experience?
I suggest you look at a ton of coops here and their layout, then start sketching on graph paper.

'Chicken Math' is when people just keep getting more and more chickens cause they're so cute and cool, but don't think about proper housing space.
Rule of Thumb is minimum 4sqft per bird in coop and 10sqft per bird in run,
But in Michigan I'd double the coop space,
much can depend on your run and whether it can be fully used in winter.

There's a lot to learn about chicken housing,
it's like getting a drink of water out of a fire hose.
Many different set ups for many different keepers and their different climate and goals.
I spent 6 months reading here almost full time before deciding waht to do and more importantly what not to do....and I am an experienced designer.


The 'pop door', for the chickens to get from coop to run, can go in any wall.

My dad built our chicken coop for our chickens when I was younger and he is a contractor. I was planning on him helping me build it and showing me the ropes. I just wasn't sure what the proper measurements would be

 

[riss]

The blueprint was the first one and a rough estimate

 

[Sally PB]

cause people mentioned chicken math which I'm not quite sure how to calculate that

'Chicken Math' is when people just keep getting more and more chickens cause they're so cute and cool, but don't think about proper housing space.

@aart is sooo right.

Covid gave me my "ah ha!" moment on chicken math. I am very lucky that I live out in the country and could get outside and walk around ANY TIME I WANTED TO during Michigan's lockdown. I don't free range my chickens because of the possible predators in my area. My chickens are in a permanent "lockdown." They have whatever space I have made for them.

I reallllllly want more chickens. Therefore, I must make more space for them. Otherwise, it's like some people I don't know just moved into my house to live with me. Forever.

 

[riss]

I'm sure it'll take me a couple trials but I think me and my dad can handle the project just fine. I'll have to keep you guys updated how it's going

 

[snowflake]

I got my girls from Family Farm and Home. I need to make sure I get hens and no lads. Is Townline Poultry Farms a reputable one? I ask because I have their catalog or can you guys recommend one?

I have not ordered from them but they are well known. And you will get hens only if you order correctly but do not take the free chicks those are usually males look through there catalog for vaccination's

 

[Candy442]

GOOD MORNING

 

[Sally PB]

^^

Long ago, I had a coffee mug that said, "Come on in, the coffee's fine!"

'Scuse me while I make another cup.

 

[Sally PB]

Tomorrow is the Equinox! Let's hear it for spring! Does anyone do anything special to celebrate?

Since it's supposed to be sunny and nice, I plan to spend as much time outside with the chickens or in the garden as I can.

 

[Folly's place]

Planning to spend time in our incredibly overgrown planting beds. Years of neglect, poison ivy, unidentified shrubs, OMG a total mess! And nice perennials surviving somehow, needing rescue.
Mary