Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Kat9191]

Good Morning and Happy St. Patricks to everyone! Since we are new could someone please explain what chickenstock is please.

 

[snowflake]

have to catch up later, for now

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY,
"MAY YOU HAVE FOOD AND RAIMENT.
A SOFT PILLOW FOR YOUR HEAD,
MAY YOU BE FORTY YEARS IN HEAVEN BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD!"

 

[Amy PT]

so........no one answered my random question about the TSC coops sturdiness or lack of......

Does that mean the whole idea was nuts? There really is a way to do a "for looks" one cheaper??? I can do functional, it's the "pretty" that i have trouble with All i have to work with is very basic tools.... I thought about beadboard, or thin board similar to what you'd get off a pallet, but got stumped when it came to making the edges pretty and figuring how to secure the hardware cloth without the screws being overly visable. I had really good ideas, too, if i could do one. (Or is there someone who has tools and wants to build a coop with me?) I'm looking at the thing as i would a piece of furniture, which essentially it will be if it has to be inside.

Can you find online reviews of the coops? I think I've read that they aren't great for long term. Maybe an in between solution for you, though?

 

[chickflick]

The TSC coops don't look very sturdy. IMHO In fact my neighbor got one last year, and every time I go for a walk, I see it deteriorating .

 

[theron]

The TSC coops don't look very sturdy. IMHO In fact my neighbor got one last year, and every time I go for a walk, I see it deteriorating .

I have a couple TSC coops and they are TERRIBLE here in MI. They might be ok where you don't have as much or as little snow as us. We are selling ours and will probably just build our own.

 

[RaZ]

IMO some of the coop structures that you find in the stores are pretty shabby. They might work in the short run for someone just starting out but they likely will not hold up for long.

I think that you would be better off constructing something that meets your needs for your situation. I also realize that not everyone has the skills to build one. You can always ask here if someone is willing to build something for you, either from scratch or re-purposed materials.

Just remember that you usually get what you pay for, no matter where you get it.

 

[ChicwannaB]

Quote: Yes, they aren't much at ALL. I got one early in the game and I keep it INSIDE my coop for when I need a quarenteen pen or something. Didn't go together well either as per the chinese instructions.
Last summer my hubby built a rabbit hutch about the same size as those and a guy bawlked at $125, but it was lots better made, completely stained inside and out and with substantial wheels on it. I didn't budge on the price, told him he could go get something from china and have it fall apart in a couple years if he wanted to. He walked away huffing.

 

[ladyrsanti]

Some chick eye-candy today.

Buff Brahma




This little one was, I thought, a pure BO but those cheeks!


From the side. More cheeks than my BO/EE mixes.



All of the buff brahmas. They all had pasty butt this morning, every one of them and no one else.



Several of the BO/EE mixes



The last two BO/EE mixes. These are Sandy's (the gray EE) and are very light-colored

 

[Wrightsx4]

Awwww adorable! I can't wait - Twenty and a half days to go.

 

[NovaAman]

I got their dog house... made of the same material as the coops. I think if you are planning to have it in the house, you may be ok. The dog house is still in use now, but it is starting to show the wear... If you keep it outside, you need to retreat it EVERY YEAR. I am planning to paint it this year just because. It will stay in the run under the hoop roof, so, not to much weather gets to it. Personally, If you are going to be using an area of your future home, I'd just build an indoor aviary using 2x2's and cloth screen. You can vacuum the screen then and it'll help keep the dust from getting all over the house as well.

As for me... I am up to 14 hatchlings under 5 of the 6 broodies. One is nearly there. AS for two of the ladies...
I had to post this broody on broody on chicks... It's just too darn funny and cute!


That little head poking out from Skeeter's wing is Ekta's head


I went out last night to check on this pair, and I couldn't find Ekta the serema anywhere in the garage... I looked all over, I mean there are only so many places a little black bird can find to hide in the garage... After looking, I got the brilliant idea to look under Skeeter the ever broody bantam cochin... There she was! COMPLETELY under her, Like, couldn't even see her, under her... and the 4 chicks the two of them have together were under HER... SO, Broody on broody on chicks. Yes... the chicks are all fine, none have been turned to pancakes.