Michigan winter

[Aweeks1221]

Okay so winter is coming. The chickens and ducks have their own run and coops. In the bottom of their coops is thick astroturf. Now that michigan winter is coming. I have a few questions.
1. Do I NEEEEEEED to change the turf out to hay or something of the sort for the chickens to keep warm, since they roost and fluff and snuggle for warmth? I am keeping the nesting boses as turf though it's easier.
2. is hay or straw better for the ducks coop? And how do we combate the nasty mess of their poop with it?? And what is the maintenance schedual.on something like that??? They do not have nesting boxes! AND they will not have their pool up over the winter.

Thanks new to winter ... and yes I have researched and been all over... soooo much conflicting stuff...

 

[cavemanrich]

1. Do I NEEEEEEED to change the turf out to hay or something of the sort for the chickens to keep warm, since they roost and fluff and snuggle for warmth? I am keeping the nesting boses as turf though it's easier.

During winter, the important thing is,,,, To keep the feet dry. Snow, and slush, does wet their feet, Your Turf should be just fine.

2. is hay or straw better for the ducks coop? And how do we combate the nasty mess of their poop with it?? And what is the maintenance schedual.on something like that??? They do not have nesting boxes! AND they will not have their pool up over the winter.

Ether one works well, I choose hay for inside my coop. (chickens) because it is also eatable. Straw has basically very little nutrition.
Straw is good for run area, as it repels water better than hay.
Clean and change out when you see fit. There is not regular schedule. .
Make sure Duck water is deep enough for ducks heads to immerse. They drink differently than chickens.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Penpal]

I don't use hay because when it gets wet/damp the mold that is already on the hay will grow. This is poisonous. This is why livestock won't touch hay once water has dripped on it. Straw will not support mold. Straw is also cheaper, though if you are buying only one small bale you won't really notice the savings.

I would put straw down because it should be easy to rake it out in the spring.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello! I live in Michigan as well. I suggest pineshavings on top of the astroturf. Straw or hay doesn't help to soak up poop or water, instead poop just sits on top, molds, and causes a bad odor.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with @talkinboutchickens, having horses, and for foaling we used straw. Horrible to clean out, compared to shavings. Your ducks make everything wet and dirty, and it's less awful to deal with shavings, also will be a dryer surface.
Our chicken coop has an old concrete floor, with stable mats on top, and then shavings, which we rake around and add more all winter, with a spring cleanout. It's great for the garden, and as mulch.
I have no experience using astroturf, but would add shavings on top, I think. And don't your chickens roost above the floor? For ducks, shavings too.
Pictures of your coop and run will also really help here.
Mary

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

Hello! I live in Michigan as well. I suggest pineshavings on top of the astroturf. Straw or hay doesn't help to soak up poop or water, instead poop just sits on top, molds, and causes a bad odor.

I live in Maine, but I second this. Pine shavings are the way to go, and I am unsure where you get yours but we like to get the larger pine flakes from Tractor Supply.

Straw/hay is also A PAIN to clean out in the duck coop, because it will clump and then freeze to the bottom of the coop, creating the essence of a stinky fossilized poop bedrock.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I live in Maine, but I second this. Pine shavings are the way to go, and I am unsure where you get yours but we like to get the larger pine flakes from Tractor Supply.

Straw/hay is also A PAIN to clean out in the duck coop, because it will clump and then freeze to the bottom of the coop, creating the essence of a stinky fossilized poop bedrock.

I get mine from TSC as well, the flake type. I actually use pine pellets now in my coop, but they would be super hard to get out of the turf once the pellets are expanded and it's definitely not the most insulating for winter haha.

 

[Aweeks1221]

I agree with @talkinboutchickens, having horses, and for foaling we used straw. Horrible to clean out, compared to shavings. Your ducks make everything wet and dirty, and it's less awful to deal with shavings, also will be a dryer surface.
Our chicken coop has an old concrete floor, with stable mats on top, and then shavings, which we rake around and add more all winter, with a spring cleanout. It's great for the garden, and as mulch.
I have no experience using astroturf, but would add shavings on top, I think. And don't your chickens roost above the floor? For ducks, shavings too.
Pictures of your coop and run will also really help here.
Mary

My chickens roost above the turf. It's just one of those pre made coops with the roosting area in the middle and then the nesting boxes on the side. Like the kind you buy at tsc. I'm going to build a bigger one soon for more ladies. Both ducks and chickens have the same kind of coop, but minus the nesting boxes for the ducks. There is a tray in both and then turf in the trays.
See right here with the comments I get yes hay no hay yes straw no straw.

I just want to make sure they both stay warm.
Shavings in the ducks has always been messy.. i had to change it out every 2 days because of smell and mushyness... not sure how yall make it work for ducks
..
So I want to be able to put something in the ducks coop to help with warmth and not have to change out every other day in the freezing cold. And for the chickens I just need to know because they do not roost on the floor is it necessary to even bother changing out the turf for added warmth or do they just keep them self's warm???

 

[cavemanrich]

My chickens roost above the turf. It's just one of those pre made coops with the roosting area in the middle and then the nesting boxes on the side. Like the kind you buy at tsc. I'm going to build a bigger one soon for more ladies. Both ducks and chickens have the same kind of coop, but minus the nesting boxes for the ducks. There is a tray in both and then turf in the trays.
See right here with the comments I get yes hay no hay yes straw no straw.

I just want to make sure they both stay warm.
Shavings in the ducks has always been messy.. i had to change it out every 2 days because of smell and mushyness... not sure how yall make it work for ducks
..
So I want to be able to put something in the ducks coop to help with warmth and not have to change out every other day in the freezing cold. And for the chickens I just need to know because they do not roost on the floor is it necessary to even bother changing out the turf for added warmth or do they just keep them self's warm???

.You would have gotten different responses if we knew you has such small premade coops. Not saying that they are BAD,, just small, and we all need to start somewhere.

Only thing I can suggest ; Make sure there is minimal direct wind blowing at your coops. Use tarps to create wind stop. That does not mean reduce ventilation.
Since your coop floors are most likely raised off the ground, there is no much you can do to make floor warmer.
Just leave coops as is, without adding anything else on top of AstroTurf carpeting.
Clean up as necessary.

Post some pictures of your setup.
Outside runs exposed to the elements, may benefit from straw.