Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Frankiegirl]

If I may ask a couple of questions form my MI folks....

1 - we are firming you plans for a permanent coop to be built and are leaning toward the Wichita cabin style coop.There are currently 5 birds in the flick but i want to make sure the coop is built for more in the future. I live these little things and I can see getting more after the move. I’m thinking to expand enough for 10 birds

That doesn't seem silly at all. I was a country boy trapped in the suburbs for way too long. Most folk here heard all about my problems living down in the city. I hated it where I was.
I'm now at the end of a dirt road that goes in to the state land. I get the weekenders and their toys buzzing past every weekend but this year hasn't been as bad as past years. Covid maybe?

My coop is in the shaded woods and generally 10-15 degrees cooler than the air. I keep a fan running on low in one of the windows to draw the air out of the coop. Fresh water every day with one fount of added electrolytes. Waterers scattered all over the yard for when they are free-ranging. I haven't noticed any heat related stress within the flock.

Thank sounds IDEAL!!! Good luck tomorrow with your procedure. I hope it goes well

 

[aart]

There are currently 5 birds in the flick but i want to make sure the coop is built for more in the future.

Then go bigger.

 

[Folly's place]

Two good coop designs for Michigan; either a Woods coop, or a walk-in shed big enough for more birds! Modifying a garden shed works very well. You will never regret building big!
Mary

 

[RaZ]

Two good coop designs for Michigan; either a Woods coop, or a walk-in shed big enough for more birds! Modifying a garden shed works very well. You will never regret building big!
Mary

When I first moved here there was a store bought shed that I used to house the chickens. Just a little 8x10 job from some big box store. It served well for over a year.
Then I built the big coop, (10x12) using reclaimed materials and scrap lumber.

If you are starting from scratch then go big. Chicken math will kick in at some point and you will want/need more room. Happened to me this weekend when I picked up some birds from Folly's Place. I doubled my beak count and they all have enough room to be comfortable in the coop. Also consider a quarantine area if you want to add more birds.

 

[Annemade]

Good luck tomorrow Raz. Hospitals are doing a tremendous job keeping everyone safe during these challenging times. Hope you have a rapid recovery.

 

[Folly's place]

Best wishes and prayers for you, Randy.
Mary

 

[RaZ]

Good luck tomorrow Raz. Hospitals are doing a tremendous job keeping everyone safe during these challenging times. Hope you have a rapid recovery.

That's funny. When I went in on Friday for the pre-op stuff, they seemed confused and disorganized. But in the end, it all worked out. Just made me a little late for picking up the new chickens.

 

[RaZ]

It looks like I'll be getting a few more hens tomorrow. A friend who is up here for the week, has a friend that has to rehome 7 laying hens. They are supposed to be here Monday with the birds and the coop they live in. I have a quarantine area for them and my friend and the donor will get it all set up away from my current coop.
So when I come home I'll have a third flock. I just don't know what breed they are. Just one more reason to recover and get home soon.

 

[Frankiegirl]

Oh my goodness you are going to be busy!! Recovery and chick orientation!

I hope all goes terrific tomorrow and you’re on the mend quickly.

 

[RaZ]

Oh my goodness you are going to be busy!! Recovery and chick orientation!

I hope all goes terrific tomorrow and you’re on the mend quickly.

Thank you.
I have so much to look forward to. I can't hardly wait until I get home again