Michigan

[gallinamama]

Seems I have so much work on my hands with this... no help. I can't get the coop finished the way I want. I am so afraid that the chickens will be too cold this winter. Along with the chickens.... I am stressed too.!!!

 

[Olive Hill]

gallinamama -- Take a deep breath. Relax. The chickens will be fine this winter. Seriously, we don't insulate our coop at all for winter. We don't move our feed inside, they go out and run around all day everyday just like summer. They'll be fine. As for the roos, find a swap in your area. IME, roosters go quickly at swaps.

Has anyone talked to Opa? I know he checked in a bit ago saying he was sick. I'm just hoping he's not still under the weather.

 

[keyt1969]

Good morning! It's so nice outside! I wish all our days would be like this! Hope Opa is ok. I saw him on the other Michigan string a couple days ago.

Well, Aric let me sleep in and I guess it's been an eventful morning already. One of the rabbits discovered he could get over the top to his "buddy" so Aric is going to fix that today. Fortunately there's a screen over the top so they can't get out that way, but he didn't make it tall enough because he ran out of supplies. Then the two BLRW roosters AND one of the silkie roosters discovered they can crow so now we have 5 crowing roosters. The Silkie and two BLRW roosters aren't very loud (yet?). The Belgian Quail rooster sounds like he has a sore throat all the time lol. It's funny how Pretty Boy (Serama) is louder than all of them!

I woke up with pretty bad allergies this morning. It's too early for this! Allergies on top of all my other health problems makes me pretty weak but I'm determined to find something to do. As long as I keep busy I'm ok. Of course then I crash at night lol.

I think I'll start with playing with the rabbits!

Hope everyone has a fantastic day!!

 

[Whatshisface]

gallinamama -- I agree with Olive Hill. I have never had insulation on my coop and I've never had a problem. As far as the Roosters, if you can't find a swap, what you'll need is a pressure cooker because those dudes can get tough.

 

[Opa]

What ever bug I came down with it certainly sapped my energy. It's been ten days and that much longer than it has ever taken me to recovery from anything. I've had surgeries that I healed faster than this. If this cold winds up killing me like the coughing spells make me feel it might, I will be sure to post and let everyone know.

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Quote:
I called him last night and just got a recording...I'll try again today -
as far as insulating.....don't! we did and have had to pull out walls and remove - unless you've only got a couple of hens...which i doubt anyone on this site can admit to! In fact, last spring we actually took one wall off and now have an open air wall....may close off occasionally this winter...we'll have to see. We researched poultry raising and found some very interesting pictures and information in
Fresh-Air Poultry Houses: The Classic Guide to Open-Front Chicken Coops for Healthier Poultry Fresh-Air Poultry Houses: The Classic Guide to Open-Front Chicken Coops for Healthier Poultry
Prince T. Woods

would recommend to anyone who has large flocks - i'll post later on Opa

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Quote:
Hey, there YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[keyt1969]

Quote:
I know the feeling Opa! I've had 45 surgeries, 20 of them on my brain and I didn't feel as wiped out as these allergies/cold has made me feel! People laugh at me because I act like a little baby when this time of the year rolls around yet when I have one of my surgeries I'm usually up pretty quickly!

Aric set up a nice little spot under the tree so I think I'll be sitting there watching all the animals for the day. Hope you feel better soon Opa, good to hear from you!

 

[chickflick]

Glad you're feeling a bit better,Opa, guess enough to let us know you are still kicking!

Take care of yourself!
Beautiful day out! Perfect for working outdoors. If you lived closer, Keyt, I'd sit under the trees with you and just enjoy. Enjoy the sunshine, all.

 

[A2SciTeach]

Enjoy your shopping, DAR. Opa, hope you feel better. Are you taking anything, like whiskey and honey? It may not cure you, but you'll feel better and be able to sleep. I've been busy at school - so hard to go back to work while the garden is still producing, fall and chores and getting ready for winter needs to get done and it gets dark much earlier. re insulated coops, we have a bit of insulation, mostly to keep out the strong westerly winds, hens huddle for warmth and are quite active during the winter, going outside everyday, especially when it's sunny.