Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[SillyChicken]

I use the round metal heated pan that goes under the waterers. I have a plastic 2 gallon that seems to do better than the metal 2 gallon waterer (conducts cold maybe?) It tends to freeze more at the top. I put my plastic water/heaters in a plastic dog house outside for one coop, it shelters the birds and water/heater, helps keep the heat where it needs to be. For the other coop, DH made a hut with staw,.. serves the same purpose.

Sorry, we tend to have a lot of posts.. don't hesitate to repost your question if you don't get a reply right away.

 

[preciouskitty]

Wood ash. I have a ton as I use a wood burning stove as a main supplement for home heating. Have been throwing all the ashes into our burn pit. Mites, lice treatment aside; am I reading correctly that I might as well throw some of it into the run (it is all covered) as a dust bath "treat" for the children??

My birds will NOT leave coop/run to free range at the moment, there is about 1/2-1" of snow & they are being total wimps. The other day the windchill was close to 0 &'they were out having a riot in the yard & woods, sans "white" stuff.

Home with the flu the last 2 days or I wouldn't realize their current attitude...

 

[Candy442]

Wood ash. I have a ton as I use a wood burning stove as a main supplement for home heating. Have been throwing all the ashes into our burn pit. Mites, lice treatment aside; am I reading correctly that I might as well throw some of it into the run (it is all covered) as a dust bath "treat" for the children??

My birds will NOT leave coop/run to free range at the moment, there is about 1/2-1" of snow & they are being total wimps. The other day the windchill was close to 0 &'they were out having a riot in the yard & woods, sans "white" stuff.

Home with the flu the last 2 days or I wouldn't realize their current attitude...

Ours do not like the snow either. They don't care about air temp, just hate that cold wet stuff under foot....only a few ventured out when I threw scratch in the bare spot where Brett parked his car, but several wimped out getting to it because they had to run across thirty foot of snow to get there...! I have both EE girls molting now of all things! what a bad time to lose your fluff and feathers ....

 

[jlynnet]

I use heated dog bowls. Family farm and home carries a small one and a Fallon sized one. I've had great luck with them. The small ones work great for 5-6 birds. I fill them up, really top them off, a couple of times a day.

 

[preciouskitty]

Ours do not like the snow either.  They don't care about air temp, just hate that cold wet stuff under foot....only a few ventured out when I threw scratch in the bare spot where Brett parked his car, but several wimped out getting to it because they had to run across thirty foot of snow to get there...!  I have both EE girls molting now of all things!  what a bad time to lose your fluff and feathers ....

My one BCM has been molting for a bit now; & a few others, one of the EEs included appear to be also. I didn't think they would do this so soon. They are all under a year old!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

...

My birds will NOT leave coop/run to free range at the moment, there is about 1/2-1" of snow & they are being total wimps. The other day the windchill was close to 0 &'they were out having a riot in the yard & woods, sans "white" stuff.

Home with the flu the last 2 days or I wouldn't realize their current attitude...

Hope you feel better quickly PK. My ducks have been doing the hiding out thing too. 12 ducks in a 20 square foot house. With the barn right there and empty. No sense. My Runner girl seems to have the worst of it. Looks like something's starting to go on with her feet Not sure if its the sand, the snow or what, but I'm not liking it. When is it supposed to warm up just a little?

 

[SillyChicken]

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/grd/4236733244.html

Howell add for d'anvers


If I could jump on this I would... would be great for a house chicken or holding cage.. or yokohama roo etc. $100.00

http://jxn.craigslist.org/grq/4209968716.html

projects?
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/zip/4226983550.html

Nice shed... DH said NO... I would have converted to a tiny house for deer camp!!!
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/grd/4213310817.html

starter coop, play house - convert it yourself easy to clean!
http://annarbor.craigslist.org/bab/4215717116.html

nice shed - coop!
http://monroemi.craigslist.org/hsd/4230588959.html

How come I always find stuff when I don't have the cash! Older add so it may not be there anymore (hoop frames), perfect for runs!
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/grd/4189894578.html

 

[preciouskitty]

Lol! All, um, we all do realize we live in Michigan, right?

The cold...it has JUST begun!!! I HATE it. But, stuck here at the moment. I am noting that my birds don't seem to hate it as much as I do, other day wind chill was 0, they were perfectly content ! (other than the white stuff). Personally, I just got myself a new coat (& if ur a PETA type, oh well, it's used)..ankle length & I'm wearing it jeans & all...anyone wants to see a pic, let me know..alls I know is, I will be warm the rest,of the winter!!!!!!

 

[Candy442]

Lol! All, um, we all do realize we live in Michigan, right?

The cold...it has JUST begun!!! I HATE it. But, stuck here at the moment. I am noting that my birds don't seem to hate it as much as I do, other day wind chill was 0, they were perfectly content ! (other than the white stuff). Personally, I just got myself a new coat (& if ur a PETA type, oh well, it's used)..ankle length & I'm wearing it jeans & all...anyone wants to see a pic, let me know..alls I know is, I will be warm the rest,of the winter!!!!!!

I don't mind, but I do feel bad for my half naked EE girls. The rooster the same age is full of feathers....! I wasn't sure if that was "normal" for them to molt at 9 months? they were born end of March, but I guess anything is possible. They seem fine otherwise...but, with the little bit of snow they will not willingly walk across that makes me worried for what is to come. I have seen people shovel paths for the chickens, but if we don't line the path with straw I am thinking they are going to be content in the coop.

I have a full length down coat where I read in a popular fashion magazine that is the worst thing to wear for women who like "fashion"..well ya know what? I like WARMTH more and I love being warm when these ladies are wearing short skirts and cute short leather jackets with high heels on days like today! no thank you! Guess I am too old to care

Does Lady or anyone have a nice knitting pattern for chicken sweaters? LOL

 

[RaZ]

Lol! All, um, we all do realize we live in Michigan, right?

Not me. I live in a state of denial.

Even though I just cleaned the wood stove, toted in more firewood and stacked a new pile up closer to the back door. 18 degrees and I have worked up a sweat.