Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[gladahmae]

Have fun fishing Opa! Hope you catch your limit!

I'm going to have to steal a drill from DH's tool bag tomorrow I think and start getting a few things closed up on the coops. Next week looks like it's going to be nice, and I don't really want to have to try to plastic and tarp in the one run in the snow or sub-freezing temps. I'm one of those people who is almost *always* cold, so fleece-lined pants sound divine! I even managed to find the taosty warm, no-longer-made, camo that my husband has in MY size on craigslist, so I'm hoping I might actually stay warm this year with out having 5 layers on under my insulated bibs! (No lie, I usually have 4 or 5 layers on under my old stuff!)


I was out filling feeders and waterers yesterday when I heard the choking crow of a cockerel and now I'm afraid that the 2 cockerels and 3 pullets in my silkie coop is really 3 cockerels and 2 pullets. I had no problems giving away the cockerels 2 months ago, but they're all colors I want! One is white, one is black partridge and one is blue partridge! I'm hoping I'm wrong.....

It's almost time for my black sex-linked roo to go to freezer camp, and then it's time for the coop-shuffle as I work my BLRW cockerel in with the pullets. I've got a pair of bossy hens in with him right now to teach him some manners.

 

[RaZ]

If you think about it, caring for your hens in winter is about the same as in summer.
Fresh food and water. Daily.
Dry place to sleep.
Good ventilation in coop.
Good manure management.

I guess the debates or questions come from how we do these things.

 

[gladahmae]

I'm thinking the same.

My plan is to use plexiglass w/Velcro for my 2 small windows that are roost level. The eave spaces are open & I am gonna leave them that way. Have plexiglass for front top window just for those evil cold days, but it faces south, so prob won't have to use it often. Then plan to wrap pen & uncovered pen in clear 8mil plastic. I think this should provide enough ventilation & light, yet keep them protected from drafts & keep the mega snow out of run.

Would love any other ideas, constructive criticism, etc!

My house blocks the west side of coop...(Spaz just LOVES getting on peak of roof

)

My only concern would be snowload on your run if you're going to cover it with plastic. I have no idea what kind of snow patterns you have in winter in that part of the state though.....up here it's common to get a foot overnight with the lake-effect stuff we get, and if I had a run like that it would probably be ruined by January. I'm sure you could scrape the snow off it, but then you'd have to shovel it away so you'd have room to put future snow. That's just me thinking out loud though. I have yet to figure out how I'm going to have a more protected run for my layer coop this winter.

 

[naglady]

my version of peking duck.. had this for supper last night with hoisen sauce and homemade chinese pancake.. fresh organic duck yum..


Bluebird I am from Oscoda..

Trefoil - millington is a little distance from me, I have some rouen drake and hens 6 mos old here i am selling for a friend, she wants $10. each..

 

[mara1]

Quote: love your coop

 

[preciouskitty]

My only concern would be snowload on your run if you're going to cover it with plastic.  I have no idea what kind of snow patterns you have in winter in that part of the state though.....up here it's common to get a foot overnight with the lake-effect stuff we get, and if I had a run like that it would probably be ruined by January.  I'm sure you could scrape the snow off it, but then you'd have to shovel it away so you'd have room to put future snow.  That's just me thinking out loud though.  I have yet to figure out how I'm going to have a more protected run for my layer coop this winter.

Yep. Have pondered the same thing. It is not often we get that kind of accumulation, but even with a few inches my plan is to clean it off, even the metal roof (which has extra bracing inside to help deal w/load). Plan to have guy that plows my drive move snow as needed. Like you, I want my girls to have plenty of "play" space they can actually/will use...

ALSO like you, always have 5 layers on...even with NEW winter hunting gear...& I keep a fleece blanket with me in the blind! Right now, in my house, I have thin long johns on with my jeans! And 4 layers on top ! I can't afford to start cranking thru propane in October to keep it at 70. And can't use my wood burner til we get the chimney cleaned & door gasket replaced on 8 November. Boy do I want to crank it up right now!

 

[preciouskitty]

love your coop

Thanks! I will take no credit other than the paint job! I fell in love with it when I saw it online; got it from a farmer that builds them in Ohio. Then Opa built the pen extension for me.
Since it is basically right in my front yard, full view of my one & only neighbor, really wanted something functional, but aesthetically pleasing!

 

[naglady]

Mara that coop looks awesome..

 

[preciouskitty]

my version of peking duck.. had this for supper last night with hoisen sauce and homemade chinese pancake.. fresh organic duck yum.. Bluebird I am from Oscoda.. Trefoil - millington is a little distance from me, I have some rouen drake and hens 6 mos old here i am selling for a friend, she wants $10. each..

YUMMY! Man, I am really hungry now! My mom should be here any minute & we are going to lunch...phew...

 

[RaZ]

Snow load is something to consider.

I have one of those temporary tent garages that I use in the run. It is 10 by 20 feet and maybe 10 feet high at the peak. The metal tube supports are 4 per side. The wall and roof material are tarp material.
This unit has been used year-round for 4 or 5 seasons. It has supported some heavy snow that I manually removed and a lot of snow that I just left in place that melted on sunny days.

For being a cheap structure, this thing has sheltered my birds very well in winter. They have a dry place to hang out in during the day. With straw bales around the perimeter it is pretty draft free.

Something like this might work for your run.

ETA - Photo
For those who may not know about the temporary garages, this is what it looks like on the inside. I put a piece of PVC pipe on the back wall so I can roll it up.