Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[mara1]

Quote: you both did a nice job. My babies are stuck inside most of the day at least they have a indoor run. Don't trust the dogs getting out if I'm not there (looking into elec fencing). Plus probably more treats than they should. I throw everything but the kitchen sink in with them in the morning. if/ when they start laying the eggs will probably be costing

me 20.00 a doz.

 

[snowflake]

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.

very nice looking coop,
I also have a flat top run, it looks like your supports are close enough to hold the snow, we have found the biggest propblem to be the wet heavy snow we seem to get in early winter, last summer we added extra supports and had no problem last winter, I have tarps ontop of part of my run this yr. to keep back part of the run, dry and shaded for summer, may leave them up and see how it works in winter,, rounded or pointed would probably be better but we work with what we have

came home from work several yrs ago and DH had added a large nice run to the coop couldn't tell him no,no, I want it like this, I was gad to have such a nice run. for some one that doesn't have the top covered already, thought about putting cattle pannels ontop of frame and plastic netting over that, cattle panels would give lots of added support yours doesn't look that hight either so you can sweep snow off easily

 

[mara1]

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.

I was thinking the same thing. I had two over my drive at my old house when my girls had a graduation party they lasted up about 6 years be for I had a bad rip and I got them on sale for about 100 each at the time. wish I kept the poles now.

 

[mara1]

mine were without the side panels but you could probably drop the poles so it fits on the run. Menards and harbor fright have them about 130

 

[SillyChicken]

I have a rabbit poop tray under my roosts, I have sweet PDZ in there and use a kitty litter scoop to scoop the poop out ea morning. Love that stuff, I have never had any bad smell in the coop. Question on ventilation now: I asked DH to cover two vents that were = to the roosts and have no cover on them. Then there's a window above that and another long and narrow opening(2inx3ftlong) above that. He ended up putting plastic on outside of coop from ground to roof on both sides and said the poop door doesn't shut completely, there's a small crack that's always open around it, wood warped a lil and that will be enough. This is my 1st winter w/chickens and from what I've read on here, I disagree. Plus the windows are covered now to where I can't open them, so they won't have any light. So, looking for advice on if I need more ventilation and/or light, or if he is right. My coop is 4x8 with 6 hens and 1 roo. Thanks for your help, don't want to argue and ask him to change it if he's right. Just scared of losing my girls.

my thoughts... rabbit trays - good idea!

Plastic wrap the whole coop - Bad idea! You should keep ventilation open, close off as needed with wood or something to allow adjustment - play it by ear.. but start with it unblocked. Ok to wrap an outside run as long as you consider snow loads as discussed above. (I have to set something up myself this year too.)

Sealing those off will cause condensation/moisture and a host of issues from mold, respiratory issues to frost bite. the worst! Combs and toes will turn black and fall off!! Not to mention if you painted the outside, it will cause paint to peel if there is moisture trapped in the wood under the paint.

I would clear away your pop door so it closes and can be latched/locked from the outside - predator proofing!!

Another thing you can do to help birds in winter is to provide wider roosts. 2 x 4 with the 4" side flat for them to sit on. This keeps the feet tucked up under their bodies/feathers!!

 

[SillyChicken]

http://jxn.craigslist.org/grd/4151021589.html
Silkie chicks - brooder

http://jxn.craigslist.org/grd/4150733729.html
Muscovy ducks and laying hens

 

[preciouskitty]

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.

Ya know, RaZ, I actually have one of those still in the box in the back shed...but you all must have better luck. Put one up as storage for firewood, lawn tractor & was trashed in one winter...some of those winds we get whipping thru the farmer's field are wicked... But, yes...I am gonna think about this. Never thought about setting it up for this purpose...kinda liking it...plus the thing is just sitting in shed, bought & paid for & taking up space!! I, too, am thinking snow load may not be too bad since my 2x4s are only 3' apart... But that portable garage deal along with the run...boy they sure would have some nice non-"powdered sugar " play space!

 

[RaZ]

The one in the picture is still standing after all this time. The cheap one I bought after (from Harbour Freight) was destroyed in one season. The difference was quality. I made the walls as tight as possible on the big one, but the cheapo tent was too flappy and got wind-whipped in no time.

 

[preciouskitty]

The one in the picture is still standing after all this time. The cheap one I bought after (from Harbour Freight) was destroyed in one season. The difference was quality. I made the walls as tight as possible on the big one, but the cheapo tent was too flappy and got wind-whipped in no time.

Gonna have to check brand. But no the first one and this one weren't cheap (of course, what you pay can have nothing to do with quality!).

I do know part of the problem was where it was located & the direct winds that hit it PLUS I don't believe the guys took the time to properly set it up, get the "flappiness" out of it & secure it well enough.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

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

)

That is one sweet coop! Always love the barn theme, so down home and comfy