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welcome,
One thing I know is there is a place in Armada who DOES SELL Diatomaceous. Earth. I was on a severl month quest for the stuff and finally found it there, unfortunately too far to drive. Im in Munger. Hope that helps you when your need arises.
dmp - Welcome! There are several people on here who have beautiful roosters that need homes. Hopefully you can choose one of the nice guy roosters and then choose your hens! The rooster will give your hens a lot of protection and guidance if you plan to allow them out to roam free part of the day.
Since Autumn is coming, you could purchase a resin shed from Meijers or Home Depot or Menards on SALE. I arrived in Michigan in November and I purchased an 8X10 by 7 ft high resin storage shed with a window that I turned into a chicken entrance/exit and a secure door that I use that goes CLICK - no racoons have gotten in that shed. There were ventilation holes in the gables already - perfect coop!
I put a tarp and then pine shavings (not cedar, that could be toxic) on the floor and a waterer on a block to keep it up off the woodchips. I put a saw horse in for a perch but the hens have liked to sleep on the shelf that came with the shed! So I put a stump in there to make it easier to jump to the shelf. They have made their own nests in the pine shavings and laid their eggs in little nests in the corners. I don't have any nesting boxes at all. I have had between 2 - 5 hens at a time, so I don't overcrowd them.
Most of us have an attached run that is predator proof - meaning you dig some of your chicken wire into the ground to discourage digging under by predators and also the top is covered by chicken wire.
In the Fall, there seem to be more people willing to part with their hens, so you could probably pick up some hens for your chosen rooster and you are in the chicken business!~ I would get my hens from a single farm or owner. Then you can pen them away from your rooster for a time and observe their health. Mites, lice and internal parasites would be the first things to check for. I don't like to give broad treatments to chickens, just to kill some parasite they 'might/maybe' have. I like to see the parasite or let a vet check the stool ($13-20) and then if you have a parasite - treat only for that parasite. In the end that saves money and it delivers the least poison to your chickens/eggs and yourself.
Hope this helps you as you begin! This website will become invaluable to you! God bless!
