Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[gladahmae]

mmmm. Ice accumulation. That's always nice to see. If that happens up here too (they aren't calling for ice accumulation, just a bit of snow and freezing drizzle) we'll be hauling the generator back out.

 

[taprock]

Hopefully no ice. We lost power today from the crazy high winds. DH was called to cut trees off the road. It didn't phase the chickens all that much but I did see Mr. Fuzzy the rooster have trouble walking with the wind. His hackle feathers kept blowing backwards over his head and he couldn't see to walk! Mr. Pheasant went back to his tree for the night...I hope he stays warm, I don't know if they roost or stay on the ground.
Byfarmmom, I love the girl uggo!

 

[Trefoil]

Hi everyone, looking for a little advice (seems to be all I do now days LOL) While we were out working around our chicken coop today we spotted a dog a ways off, probably about 100 yards. I drove that way to see what we were dealing with, when I caught up I found it was a pit with a collar and tags. I got out of the car to see if he would come up to me and he ran off. I am not too worried about our safety but I worry about the birds since they free range. Granted I never cut wings so they can all fly but just wondered what you all do to discourage these unwelcome visitors?
Thanks!

Put a perimeter electric fence around your coop & run, it will be high enough for the chickens to run under with no problems but a dog will hit it and be convinced to stay away.

 

[RaZ]

don't know about tjbeckman but I think my chickens would fly right over one of those fences. They fly over our 4' pasture fence all the time and step through it and find ways around it, etc.
Seriously?

I have those cheap step-in stakes and plastic mesh that defines my chicken run. Not once have I had a chicken go over the border. Nor has any of my dogs challenged that boundary. Maybe I have been lucky.

 

[Trefoil]

Looking for advice. I need to build some runs for my new coops. I need to do it cheap so am looking at using pvc and creating hoop runs. My question is what is the best size pvc to use? I was thinking 1 inch, but if smaller will work let me know! If I need to go thicker let me know! And if anybody has these how do you attach them at the ground level. I have a couple ideas, but wanted to see what others do. They come in 10 foot lengths so I am trying to figure out the best way to do this. Any and all advice is appreciated!

The link to the site is here:
http://www.utm.edu/departments/cece/idea/mopens.shtml
I used 3/4" and wish I had gone larger, I would use at least 1", As well as cementing the joints, I drilled and used 2 screws. Mine is 60' in diameter. The site is very good, but I believe it fails to mention that you need to put a 2 or 3' apron around the perimeter to keep predators out. I used chicken wire over the top, with a support in the middle for the crossed 1/2" pvc I used to support it. Again, the 1/2" pvc is way too small. The first year it collapsed under our first heavy snow, so I added support and so far so good, but I really wish I had used 1" pvc. I'm not sure what you mean by "attach them at ground level". You attach the lower pvc a couple of inches above the fence edge, giving it "room" to follow the contours of your land. Its very well explained in the link.I attached the apron to the fence edge using hog rings.

 

[NovaAman]

I have those cheap step-in stakes and plastic mesh that defines  my chicken run. Not once have I had a chicken go over the border. Nor has any of my dogs challenged that boundary. Maybe I have been lucky.

and now it shall happen.

 

[uchytil]

Man! It's been since before the holidays since I posted. Hey Laura, if you read this drop me an email as I lost yours. I have pics of Maran and Olive eggs from those chickens finally. Flyfishing at Tippey yesterday! 50 and sunny. Browns and steelies. If anyone wants Fgs I could maybe have some ready for CS. Email me though since my usual visit here is when my brain fires and says it's been a month since you visited BYC. Ha ha. Oh yeah, my goats are doing great too. Alrighty, see ya'll later. Here's the email in case you want to order some Fg's or chat: [email protected]

 

[1muttsfan]

This thread discusses some of the pros and cons of using PVC to make hoop houses (these may be closer in type to what you had in mind than the above link). My recommendation would be the cattle-panel type, both for strength and for durability.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/488361/using-pvc-for-a-hoop-house

 

[snowflake]

Thank you for the concern and good wishes. The x-rays will not be read till Tuesday. The pain is a little less today. I'm scarfin on an extra vicodin once in awhile now.

Got rid of two roosters today. they will become flies. This leaves us with 5 hens and 5 roosters. Hens are starting to get beat up. feathers on back of head pulled out. How fast do I have to get rid of the horney buggers? Is it urgent? or worse ?

hi Bob, sorry to hear you are feeling so punk!! hope you are well soon,,,

I would get rid or at least 4 roosters ASAP, or separate them all,roosters in one area and hens in another

Looking for advice. I need to build some runs for my new coops. I need to do it cheap so am looking at using pvc and creating hoop runs. My question is what is the best size pvc to use? I was thinking 1 inch, but if smaller will work let me know! If I need to go thicker let me know! And if anybody has these how do you attach them at the ground level. I have a couple ideas, but wanted to see what others do. They come in 10 foot lengths so I am trying to figure out the best way to do this. Any and all advice is appreciated!

I would use the cattle panels as 1mutt suggested, Hillbilly has a nice pic on her sight or go to TSC.com they have a good pic also, the cattle panels are $19 at farm and home, $20 at TSC 4 panels would give you a good size run, cover with hardware cloth and chicken wire and you have a safe run from all predators, don't for get a wire skirt or electric wire to guard against diggers

I did like the round PVC also but I have built the cattle panel and know it is very easy, but not very movable. The electric poultry net from Premier 1 works very well also and if it is electrified
dogs will stay away and the birds may not fly over , if they land on it they will get a hot foot and not likely to try again. I don't think it is high enough voltage to harm the birds, just enough to give predators a poke that will discourage them

 

[tjbeckman]

I am also getting ready to build a hoop house in the next month or so. I decided to go with the panels that way they are more stable in the snow. I just like it for the idea that the light will be able to show though so that if I don't get there right at sun up to let them out they will still get all the hours of light possible