Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

@aart you asked to see the inside...this is what it looks like, we still need to put molding around the windows
The side walls are identical (those windows do not open), front and back walls are identical other than the doors (one has screen door, and the the other has a small chicken door)

Sweet doors!
The water cups thing is cool, but is not going to be freeze proofable(is that a real word?).
Are the eaves open for ventilation?
How many birds do you have, do they all fit on the roost over the nests??

 

[chickflick]

I can't talk to you right now. I'm too jealous. Beautiful coop!

 

[Lelanae]

Hello everyone
This will be my first winter with chickens and I'm so nervous!!
I can only hope that the coop we built is good enough for Michigan's weather, even if it won't be heated, but there is still so much more I haven't figured out yet
1 How do I keep water from freezing?
2 How do I keep bedding dry when we have snow on the ground, and we have to walk in and out?
3 Do I let chickens out every day no matter what the weather?
4 Do I need to add to their diet during the colder months?

You guys that have kept chickens successfully for years, could you please pass on some advises so I can do the same?

This are pics of the coop we built with the cedar posts we got from Sam
View attachment 1152292View attachment 1152293

GORGEOUS COOP!
1) I ran electricity to my coop and use a hanging nippled bucket --it is hung outside all summer and I use a submersible bird bath heater in the winter, but I do bring it in the coop. It does add some humidity to the henhouse. This winter I am trying a heated dog water bowl outside too.
2)I have paving stones leading to my coop and I just keep adding shavings and stirring all winter for my deep litter. By Spring the bottom layer is clean dry grey compost. It never smells and I do also use poop boards.
3) I read each hen generates 10 watts of heat (their body temperature is around 103) . So 10 hens is the equivalent of heat as hanging a hundred watt bulb in the hen house.
4) I open the pop door and let them decide, unless it is pouring rain or deep snow or blizzardish. If it is just a sprinkle of snow, I toss some scratch out to encourage the chicken chickens to go outside so they stay busy. I like to add hot water to their feed and stir well and let them eat that mash near sunset in the winter so they go to bed with full warm crops. I also like small combed, winter hardy chickens like orpingtons. Your coop is so pretty--get some pretty birds!

 

[Outdoorlover]

Sweet doors!
The water cups thing is cool, but is not going to be freeze proofable(is that a real word?).
Are the eaves open for ventilation?
How many birds do you have, do they all fit on the roost over the nests??

Thanks! I just had to have arched doors!
The water I was going to try what you posted above with the submersible heater
I have 4 birds
Is this what you mean by eaves ventilation?

 

[aart]

Thanks! I just had to have arched doors!
The water I was going to try what you posted above with the submersible heater
I have 4 birds
Is this what you mean by eaves ventilation?
View attachment 1152655

Yes. Looks like they are open a bit.
With only 4 birds in that large of a coop it's probably plenty,
if that is open to the coop inside.
Would be pretty easy to open them up some more then cover opening with 1/2" hardware cloth.

 

[Folly's place]

It's totally beautiful! WOW! Are you going into business building cabin coops?!? Mine is an old shed, modified, definitely not beautiful.
Many of my birds would be roosting eight feet up in the rafters, like they do here. I'd add another roost, higher up, on the other side, if there's space. Also, if you spend more, and roof your run, you can have the door to the run opened all the time. Shoveling snow out of the run in winter is a pain!
Again, it's wonderful! Mary

 

[onaharley]

@aart you asked to see the inside...this is what it looks like, we still need to put molding around the windows
The side walls are identical (those windows do not open), front and back walls are identical other than the doors (one has screen door, and the the other has a small chicken door)View attachment 1152632 View attachment 1152633 View attachment 1152640

Very nice!

 

[Outdoorlover]

I can't talk to you right now. I'm too jealous. Beautiful coop!

Thank you!

GORGEOUS COOP!
1) I ran electricity to my coop and use a hanging nippled bucket --it is hung outside all summer and I use a submersible bird bath heater in the winter, but I do bring it in the coop. It does add some humidity to the henhouse. This winter I am trying a heated dog water bowl outside too.
2)I have paving stones leading to my coop and I just keep adding shavings and stirring all winter for my deep litter. By Spring the bottom layer is clean dry grey compost. It never smells and I do also use poop boards.
3) I read each hen generates 10 watts of heat (their body temperature is around 103) . So 10 hens is the equivalent of heat as hanging a hundred watt bulb in the hen house.
4) I open the pop door and let them decide, unless it is pouring rain or deep snow or blizzardish. If it is just a sprinkle of snow, I toss some scratch out to encourage the chicken chickens to go outside so they stay busy. I like to add hot water to their feed and stir well and let them eat that mash near sunset in the winter so they go to bed with full warm crops. I also like small combed, winter hardy chickens like orpingtons. Your coop is so pretty--get some pretty birds!

Thanks for your info and Tips!

Yes. Looks like they are open a bit.
With only 4 birds in that large of a coop it's probably plenty,
if that is open to the coop inside.
Would be pretty easy to open them up some more then cover opening with 1/2" hardware cloth.

They are open and only covered with 1/2" hard cloth, and we have vents on front and back wall and on top of the roof...I hope it's enough

 

[1muttsfan]

I find my birds prefer to roost away from the windows in the winter, likely to avoid the radient cold. You have plenty of room to add a roost or two to give them some options.
I use heated base to set my waterer on, and bless it each day all winter. There are instructions you can find to make one, but when dealing with water and electricity (and fire danger) I preferred buying one. And I have not regretted getting it even one time.
My pop door is open in all but the worst weather, although the chickens usually will not go out unless I shovel and put some straw down for them. Spoiled brats.

 

[1muttsfan]

If your waterer will be inside, make sure you have good ventilation. Draft - free, of course.