Minnesota!

[fatfluffycochin]

Does anyone here breed laced or mottled Cochins of any color? We have been looking for a pullet to add to our 4 month old flock. Thanks!

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

Are you looking for standard or bantam cochins?

 

[fatfluffycochin]

Standard.

 

[linneamae]

Hi all - I tried searching the thread for this topic but kept on getting a bunch of random stuff instead. I have a question about coop size in cold climates - Right now I have 3.6 square feet per bird which has been plenty because they free range all day. I thought I had done PLENTY of research into all this but I have just been reading a few things that say I should have gone bigger because they won't want to leave the coop in winter!?! I'm feeling a little panicky now. We do have another 4X10 area just outside the coop door that will be covered so that they have a snow-free area to roam in, but it won't be warm, just snow-free and out of the wind (for the most part.) Is this going to be insufficient?

We have Welsummers if breen has any bearing on this question...

Thanks so much!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Linneamae: I think getting that extra covered space next to your coop will help your chickens stretch their legs in the winter too. How many birds do you have? They say a run's ideal dimensions is about 10 sq feet per standard sized bird. Do what you can and know that that additional space is helping them. I wrap my run on the north and west sides with construction plastic to break the wind a bit. Fluff it out in hay so they can scratch through it breaking up the boredom. I put an extra bale or two out there for them to sit on as well and a roost for warming feet. Make it into a bit of a jungle gym for them.

 

[linneamae]

I have 11 birds. We have a 4X10 run as I mentioned and are planning to cover it soon. The reason I'm asking though, is that the run we have now is small and was supposed to be temporary. We were orignally going to expand it to be about 150 square feet. However after doing a cost analysis on building the run, we are talking about just getting an automatic chicken door on the coop instead, since they free range all day anyway. The cost of the door is about 1/3 what the big run would cost, and the run was just so that they'd have plenty of room to roam while we were gone. With the door we wouldn't have to worry about that because they'd still be safe at night.
But then I realized that the 4X10 coop and the 4X10 run, while plenty big for chickens that have 10 acres to roam all day long...may not be big enough if they won't be going anywhere else at all for 3-4 months of winter.
So my big question is, will they venture out at all? If not, what do you guys do to ensure plenty of space for your chickens in winter? I'm assuming I will need to expand the covered area then to at least 10 sq feet per bird? Will that be good enough? 3.5 square feet per bird in the coop, and 10 feet of covered, semi-sheltered space outside the coop?
p.s. Thanks for the idea about the hay bales. I will definitely do that.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Crow Wing County land use ordinance related to animals in residential districts-public hearing!
September 19th @ 5:00, courthouse in Brainerd!!!!!!
This concerns keeping chickens!!!!!!!!!! Everybody in the area should be there!!!!!!!!

Today at 5:00 the old courthouse on the 3rd floor!!!!

 

[Triplell]

I will be there with bells on. I walk with two canes so come say hi.

 

[Cebarmlds]

It was good to see you there Triplell.
The proposed revisions were approved so that's good

, my hens are legal but i'd say I still can't have a rooster. He would be considered a public nuisance.
The board members mumbled so we had trouble understanding them and the revisions don't go into details.

 

[Triplell]

Yes it was great to be there for your support!!! I am s glad that it got approved. If you need fertile eggs I'm not that far from you.
It is always nice to see a face to the name. I have chicks available right now. He he he he :yiipchick