Michigan

[NovaAman]

I need an idea for a door... Right now, I have the silkies coop clean out, egg door on a bolt, and just swing the door up. It can actually swing both ways. I am thinking, I may not... NO, I know I will not like this for the winter. It is triangle too. Now, I am thinking maybe I could cut a square out of it, and make the the door, but then I have to be creative or a contortionist to get the corners cleaned. I guess what I am asking, think it'll still be a ok to have the door swing (Think pendulum) in the winter, or am I asking for trouble?


Anyway, Finally got the coops cleaned out. I laid down a thin layer of pine and pretty much only under the roosts. Since the most of the birds have moved over to the summer run, not the cockerels, but most the pullets, there isn't as much poopoo going on in them. I must say that it is very very nice being able to just take the metal rake to the ground and a shovel, and cleaning that way. So convenient... wish I woulda/coulda done that sooner. LOL. Go as money allows.

Thursday is so far away. Cockerels go to Kapengas that night. SWEET! Of course... I am not sure how well I am going to find the silence. Did I mention I have NINE roosters crowing? I am pretty certain the silence is going to be deafening.

 

[NovaAman]

They want to eat em... the scovies...

 

[Olive Hill]

Nova, you clean coops more than anyone I know. In fact, I'm beginning to think you clean coops more than I clean house. Not that there's anything wrong with that. When we had horses I cleaned barn more than I cleaned house... LOL!

 

[theron]

They want to eat em... the scovies...

If they want to pay the price to get them, then they can do what they want with them. I have had muscovy before and it tasted pretty good. We sell some of our muscovys to those that use them for meat along with people that use them as pets/bug patrol. To each their own.

 

[EeyoreD]

Glad, I can't tell from your pictures, but do you have hardware cloth wrapped around the bottom of your run? If not I would highly recommend it.

This. Although your adorable coop seems raised and secure. I guess if you get them all in your little gabled house and close the door by nightfall you're good to go. You're setup is adorable!

Eeyore - The poult is cute. Just one so far?

Well from 20 eggs in 2 nests I seem to have 8 turklings (ok, fine, poults). Some eggs didn't manage to hatch, some poults failed to thrive (one looked like it had been stuck to the shell and was flayed on a leg and the other seemed to have some problem with absorbing the yolk into the navel). The hatch continued until this morning (I found one wet one still at 9am). But one hen has worked her 5 around most of the yard so far and the other has seemed to catch her 2 late hatches up with the early one. Not as many as I would have liked and not as many as folks might have needed. But still, some thriving and around.

Hoping the goslings hatch in a couple of days and do better.

 

[NovaAman]

Well Olive.. I have the one in the garage... the big one, the one next to that, the silkies coop, and now the meaties coop also. Good thing I don't have the duck coop anymore... OR there'd be that too. AND then their are the under runs that need raked out on occasion. AND, I scrape the poop off the boards... chuck that out. BUT this time when I cleaned the coops, I completely cleaned the two biggest coops out. The other day, I did the garage coop and the meaties coop. I still have the silkie coop to consider cleaning, but its not near as messy even with 10 chickens in there. Also... I use it as therapy. I really could probably get it all done in a matter of an hour... ALL 5, but I dwadle about... LOL

 

[RaZ]

Yes, that's the one, down on M50. I live a few minutes north of there. We'll pull in just to toodle around on the bikes. I love the hosta garden and they have an awesome bonsi garden too. They have plant sales in the spring, but they're pricey.
http://hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu/
I'm looking for some of the big hostas... but I need some that are more sun tolerant. Are yours?

Mine have adapted from nearly all day shade to late afternoon sun since I've limbed up the big red maple.
I love Hidden Lakes, I could spend all day there. The conifer garden is awesome too.
I agree, their sales are so pricey. So is MBG with their sales.

I guess what I am asking, think it'll still be a ok to have the door swing (Think pendulum) in the winter, or am I asking for trouble?

I don't see any problem with a swinging door.
FWIW, I don't have a door at all on my coop. The chcikens can come and go as they please. The only thing I did over the winter was stack some hay bales to make a tunnel around the opening. That took care of any drafts directly coming through the opening but still allowed for decent air exchange.

 

[NovaAman]

Oh, and most people who come over are amazed that I don't have stink ville, even in the coops. Even the meat bird coop.

 

[swampducks]

MY CHICKS HAVE SHIPPED, MY CHICKS HAVE SHIPPED!!! Got the email from Meyer Hatchery, looks like no substitutions were necessary, they should be here Wednesday. About the only time I wish I lived closer to Detroit to keep them from having to spend 2 nights in transit But the last bunch arrived okay so hopefully this one will, too.

 

[keliejc]

FREE CHICKS in SE Michigan. A teacher I work with has eggs hatching this week: one dozen each of Leghorns, Isa Browns, and Araucana (easter eggers) that she needs to find homes for. Please email me [email protected] The school is in Detroit, but I live in Oakland county and can meet someone if not too far.