Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Dreamzchaser]

Isn't that the title of a song by Cyndi Lauper?
Do let me know about next time.

Si, Girls just want to have fun.
and Yeah! of course. All we have to do is see if Mary has enough lilacs and redbuds,lol
Hey Sally, let's ponder Mary of her goods!!! Are you in Rose?

 

[IttyBittyBirdy]

That's true, a big flock of different people from different paths all united by their love of poultry.

This forum is different from others I've been on, normally very relaxed.

 

[Folly's place]

YES! Come and get them!!!
Also possibly some seedless honey locust starts.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

This morning I took my extra white Chantie cockerel and six hens to the auction. Hated to do it, but too many birds for wintering comfortably, and didn't want them in the freezer either. May they get good homes!
There were turkeys, chickens, ducks, two geese, pigeons, and guineas. Also a pony, small horse, goats, a mini donkey, and feeder pigs. Nobody came home with me, always a good thing.
Mary

 

[Dreamzchaser]

All righty then. I have been doing little here and there with the Hub now that he has acondition and is being a bit more helpful. So, we put tarps all around the run to cover the winds. However, it was so dark inside. Someof the girls stopped laying. They are going inside by 6pm. I tried to let them out in the yard some until I get too cold. They do not like to go in too fast (30 min) but they do not know time like I do, When I am too cold, it is time to go inside.
So, I had a big roll green house clear plastic that cannot be found anywhere after I moved, and ended up going to Menard's and buying another 100ft roll for 87 bucks. Did half of the run and it is so clear noe. The last corrugated long sheets for the roof, had to be clear because that is all that Lowe's had, so it is clear and with the cover, the sun was able to go in and the girls were back in heaven. I even got 2 more eggs by 5pm. Temperature was a bit higher inside than what it was outside. I am so happy for them. And of course me, becasue I can sit inside with them. They are so disciplined (not) that they donot go on my chair. It has not had any poop onit for the past 2 months since I got it there. They are so obedient (not) at times. Here are some pictures. I was not able to get the video in another format and I cannot post here videos on MP4.
Thank you so much and love you all. Have a good night and a wonderful weekend. (sorry in the UP, heard in teh news that some got up to 9 inches of snow already)

~Hugs~and~Kisses~

 

[Folly's place]

Dream, I don't see any ventilation there! The plastic sheeting should go down to the ground, and be open near the roof, at least one foot or more, especially on the leeward side or sides. Ventilation! Your birds are going to cook in there.
Our winter set-up:

Also, is your roof flat? Tarps there, what about heavy snow load?
Mary

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Dream, I don't see any ventilation there! The plastic sheeting should go down to the ground, and be open near the roof, at least one foot or more, especially on the leeward side or sides. Ventilation! Your birds are going to cook in there.

Also, is your roof flat? Tarps there, what about heavy snow load?
Mary

The roof has a small slope towards the east and under the roof there is no plastic. It is open and I need to put hardware cloth all around it. The west is facing my house and it is higher than the east side. It is not a steep slope but enough for snow to be pulled down with a long brush, broom or squeege. there is very little on the very top on the South side and the north side has no roof yet but leaving about 6 inches along the 15 ft length. Would that be enough? Let me see if I can show in pictures.

This is the South area. The opening is under the metal roof and runs about 8ft. This is covered in Hardware cloth already. and the window stays open about 4 inches up.
This is facing the east. It has openings of 4 inches every 24 inches. That will be covered in harware cloth. The inside will have studs for support of the snow so it will not sag and brake.



This is the west side next to my house. It has about an 8 inch higher and it will be open and covered in hardware cloth for 21ft length from end of coop to end of run.



This is facing the north. Will put the rafter for the roof and leave 8 inches from the end towards the house down for 15 ft but decreasing to 4 inches at the end of the east wall open and cover with hardware cloth.



Hope this helps my vision and has been done already. I know I still have work to do but I am trying to get there the best I can. I am open to any help.

 

[Folly's place]

Maybe enough, but watch it. You don't want any condensation inside. Last year I finally got a thermometer/ hygrometer combination for the coop, very helpful.
Think about the fun you'll have, out there at 2am in a blizzard, sweeping snow off that roof!
Make sure your framing is good enough for the snow load, it won't be good if it collapses. Especially if you are inside at the time!
Mary

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Maybe enough, but watch it. You don't want any condensation inside. Last year I finally got a thermometer/ hygrometer combination for the coop, very helpful.
Think about the fun you'll have, out there at 2am in a blizzard, sweeping snow off that roof!
Make sure your framing is good enough for the snow load, it won't be good if it collapses. Especially if you are inside at the time!
Mary

I will have to call Houston, I am snowed in,
Nah, I just wait until morning and clean their guts and call it a chicken dinner.
Framing:
Yes, He needs to put those small pieces connecting the long ones every 30 inches of so. It is a lot of cutting,lol

 

[troyer]

Wow! Pretty active here lately. We processed 30-ish chickens here today and 33 last Saturday. The ones today we are keeping and making chicken burger from it, the ones last Saturday all found homes in other peoples' freezers.
Update on that easter egger cockerel that I posted earlier.