Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Outdoorlover]

Is there a Forum where Michigan members share pictures of their birds?

 

[1muttsfan]

You can post pics here

 

[Outdoorlover]

Thanks, 1mutt, I don't have any pics to post, lol I don't have anything to take pics of!
I was looking to see other members pics and I just found the EO's thread....so beautiful!

 

[bigmrg74]

Thankfully, other than a little plastic that got blown off of the coop and the portable fencing getting blown over, not much to worry about with my girls. However, we got some wind damage to our main barn. a lot of the fascia on the roof edges got ripped off, and a little bit of the roof cap as well. That and between some ice damage around the roof we're probably going to have to get somebody in to repair it all. Ideally, would like to take the OSB and shingles off the roof and just go with with a metal roof, but might just be easier to go with metal roofing over the old roof. there's been like two barns on our road that have had that done by an Amish crew in the past year or so. Just trying to find somebody now to do an estimate on that is a pain in the butt.

However, work doesn't have power and we actually were working on Wednesday without power for a bit. You really don't need lights for massage, and the generator there kept the well going. However, somebody didn't think to hook up the furnace and AC up to the generator. The AC I can see, but the furnace?? Anyways, did 3 sessions before it got too cold in there to be comfortable.

Had today off because of that, spent the rest of the day putting together some chairs and a shelf. Amy just might domesticate me yet. she's really happy today because she found a chicken salt and pepper shakers and a chicken spoon rest.

 

[aart]

Thanks, 1mutt, I don't have any pics to post, lol I don't have anything to take pics of!
I was looking to see other members pics and I just found the EO's thread....so beautiful!

There's tons of pics in the social forum:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/40/family-life-stories-pictures-updates

And lots of pic threads all over:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ne...&order=descending&Search=SEARCH&Search=SEARCH

 

[Outdoorlover]

Thank you, aart!

 

[Outdoorlover]

Hi everyone,
My coop is in the drawing stage, we've been spending a lot of time researching and viewing the Gallery to get an idea on what exactly we need to have in the hen house (ventilation, nesting boxes...), the run, and to learn the different things we can do for predator control.
I was wondering if there is something else that we should take into consideration...perhaps you guys have suggestions on how to better insulate or ventilate the hen house based on our climate than what we can learn from viewing pics?

Heating or not heating the coop, where do you guys stand on that?

Thank you!

 

[robyn8]

We had too much ventilation for the winter and were having a bit of a draft problem. So my husband put some foam board up to block some vents. In the end I actually like this method because we can open them up in the summer when it's hot. So I'd suggest you plan in a way to change your venting with the seasons.

 

[Outdoorlover]

We had too much ventilation for the winter and were having a bit of a draft problem. So my husband put some foam board up to block some vents. In the end I actually like this method because we can open them up in the summer when it's hot. So I'd suggest you plan in a way to change your venting with the seasons.

Great suggestion, thank you!

 

[aart]

Yes, adjustable venting...and wind breaks in run for winter winds.

My go to reference on space:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

Good discussion on ventilation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

...and Here's my theory on the 'stack up' aspect to coop design:
Bottom of pop door is best about 8" above floor so bedding doesn't get dragged out of coop.
Nice to have bottom of nests about 18" above bedding to allow use of that floor space under them(doesn't count if your nests are mounted on outside of coop).
Roosts are best about 12" higher than nests so birds won't roost(sleep) in nests and poop in them,
if you use poop boards under roosts it will also 'stretch' your floor space.
Upper venting works best as high as possible above roosts so no strong drafts hit roosts in winter...and hot/moist air and ammonia can rise and exit coop.