Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

Hello everyone! I'm not sure if I'm in the right forum. I'm looking for someone to hire to build me a permanent coop with outside fencing, possible electric for my 2 geese. I need electricity run to the coop, I need a pool well built( I already bought the pool) and I need it completely predator proof. On average, I have 10-12 raccoon in my back yard as well as fox and coyote. Please, anyone with experience. Spring is coming and I can't keep them in my garage much longer. If you know a reputable builder with references, I would really appreciate it!

you can also check the big box stores they usually have a list of local builders. you can pick someone close to you. good ideas to check geese thread and coop forums. word of mouth is often the best, find some one that has had something built.,,,,,act fast though as they are lining up ;the big jobs now.



-16 here this morning, haven't gone down yet to check on the birds

 

[birdman55]

morning everyone...i would so have loved the 62 wake up....i woke up to 55...brrr...up to 58 now tho....getting warmer inside anyways...i would so help with the build however im 2 1/2 hours from you...how big of an area do you want to build...if you get everything need for the pen together ahead of time this will speed things up for sure...i would recommend not using chicken wire as it is not thick enough and the coons will surely chew thru this...lean more towards hardware cloth..hope this helps

 

[Amanda39]

Thank you all for the tips!!

 

[SillyChicken]

You could also find a local shed builder, they will often customize a shed to suit your needs. Maybe you here is someone on here that is near you, who would help. Most of us just wing it and build our own. Craigslist is a good place to find used sheds. I agree, chicken wire is only good to keep chickens in, but not to keep predators out.

 

[ASilkieLife14]

​

Well the chickens are doing ok but when we got up this morning to do chores one of our donkeys almost didn't make it. He was lying on the floor of the barn very stiff. He's doing better now, after we wrapped him in a heated blanket and put a heater next to him. I just hope he'll be okay.:/

 

[gaitngirl]

You might be able to just let it drip all the time, keep the water moving slowly and keep it from freezing. It would be a lot easier than trying to thaw it once it's frozen.

Thank you . . . I have done that but when it gets as cold at night as it has been lately, it still freezes. It will be flowing when I go to bed and frozen when I get up in the morning. I think this spring I will have to open up the garage ceiling and put heat tape on it. And maybe do spray foam insulation up the north wall, too.

 

[gaitngirl]

​

Well the chickens are doing ok but when we got up this morning to do chores one of our donkeys almost didn't make it. He was lying on the floor of the barn very stiff. He's doing better now, after we wrapped him in a heated blanket and put a heater next to him. I just hope he'll be okay.

Oh no! Poor guy! Hope he recovers.

I lost one of my muscovy ducks last night. He was a smaller, younger duck from a rather late hatch. I have the duck huts stuffed with extra straw and leaves for them but the cold was just too much.

I've been giving my horse and mule extra rations of hay and a bit of cracked corn to help stave off the cold. Neither seem to be bothered by it much but my horse is getting up there (he's 19ish) so I still worry . . .

 

[BobBry]

Thanks to those of you who shared your knowledge about hoof care and related info. I found it very interesting. Always surprising that I know so little about things I know nothing about. Know what I mean?

 

[ASilkieLife14]

Oh no! Poor guy! Hope he recovers.

I lost one of my muscovy ducks last night. He was a smaller, younger duck from a rather late hatch. I have the duck huts stuffed with extra straw and leaves for them but the cold was just too much.

I've been giving my horse and mule extra rations of hay and a bit of cracked corn to help stave off the cold. Neither seem to be bothered by it much but my horse is getting up there (he's 19ish) so I still worry . . .

He's a mini donkey. I really hope he'll be okay.

 

[tntchix]

Hello everyone! I'm not sure if I'm in the right forum. I'm looking for someone to hire to build me a permanent coop with outside fencing, possible electric for my 2 geese. I need electricity run to the coop, I need a pool well built( I already bought the pool) and I need it completely predator proof. On average, I have 10-12 raccoon in my back yard as well as fox and coyote. Please, anyone with experience. Spring is coming and I can't keep them in my garage much longer. If you know a reputable builder with references, I would really appreciate it!

Hope you find some help. There should be someone who can point you in the right direction. FYI: Mine is a 10x12 prefab shed/coop and we added a dog kennel for the run and we are expanding both come springtime. One thing I learned is you need more space than you'd ever think and all they do is poop on everything so no need for it to be pretty(unless you choose to doll it up).

Good luck!