Minnesota!

[KlopKlop]

i ran vinegar through it and after dumping out the rust flakes it is running great again! hoorah!

chickens are fed, kittens are fed, dogs are chewing cow hooves... its an easy night around here!

we picked 32 eggs today which is a new record for us.


@duluthralphie with you always talking about your CXs i am a little sad i didnt do a second run of broilers this year. My freezer is absolutely full, so that isnt the issue... i just really enjoy raising the broilers too

 

[KlopKlop]

I thought about the hoop coop but I didn't pay enough attention to what you all were talking about back then and I am not smart enough to figure out how to find things from posts past. How is the hoop coop warm enough if all you have is a tarp or plastic? And the wind I get here. basically I feel like it is Antarctica for like 3 solid months. How predator proof are the hoop coops too? I still have the wolf on the loose. Any coops I do I have to keep him in mind.
I have been dreading the thought of throwing 18 pullets in the main coop of 29 hens. They are about 14 weeks apart. The youngest ones are 17 weeks and are starting to mature so I need to get a move on and get them settled into whatever there long term coop will be.

I buy the Cameron's coffee. I love the Jamaican me crazy and the highland grog. Mmmmmmm

He made an album

https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/a/7050199/hoop-house-coop/

@NikonD2xer can probably elaborate if you ask nice too

 

[Rhetts]

He made an album

https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/a/7050199/hoop-house-coop/

@NikonD2xer can probably elaborate if you ask nice too

Wow! Great!
thanks!

 

[Minniechickmama]

Ah yes, the wolf (that is a coyote according to one idiot DNR person). Well, would you want to string a hot wire around your coop? You could set it up to operate from solar, they have them available. The hoop is easy and you could reinforce the cattle panels with more wire from the inside also. But if you have wolves up there, do you have bears around as well?

 

[Rhetts]

Ah yes, the wolf (that is a coyote according to one idiot DNR person). Well, would you want to string a hot wire around your coop? You could set it up to operate from solar, they have them available. The hoop is easy and you could reinforce the cattle panels with more wire from the inside also. But if you have wolves up there, do you have bears around as well?

yes, bears too. Had a nuisance bear this spring on the back of the property. My BIL lives on the back side of me. The bear was non stop and destructive. DNR was called in on that one. Scared the crap out of them. The bear only ventured here occasionally near as I can tell by paw prints left. But he wrecked havoc over there. Fun stuff round here. Learning to live with predators and not supply them with endless food is a constant.

I am not sure I could wire the coop. I will talk with DH and see what he thinks. I showed him the hoop coop pics but he thinks it would be way to cold for the birds during the winter. IDK

 

[Rhetts]

the coyotes are loud tonight. I really don't like that sound.

Here are the only pics I have gotten thus far. The first one isn't clear enough to consider it the wolf shot needed for the DNR to set up traps. But he thinks it is an adolescent.




Here is the best shot I got of a coyote running through the yard.



Had something take a chunk out of a goose through the fence but nothing on the camera. Weird. Many nights we have prints and nothing on the game cameras. Still hoping to get the money shot of the wolf for the DNR. I am free to trap the coyotes. Anyone with tips on that? @Cyrus83 and @gofeedthegirls you hunt coyotes what should I be doing?

 

[coldupnorth]

Quote: I have two hoop coops and have used them during the winter, but not just with tarps or plastic over them. The clear plastic does warm it like a greenhouse but isn't warm enough for the bitter cold nights. I stack mulch/cover hay bales in half of the hoop coop and then cover with plywood covered by more hay. It is kind of like a hay igloo in there and the clear plastic helps warm up the rest of the coop during those sunny days. I've had some of my big single comb Icelandics in there and didn't even get frost bite. Shovelling snow up the side also helps with heat retention.

 

[Minniechickmama]

yes, bears too. Had a nuisance bear this spring on the back of the property. My BIL lives on the back side of me. The bear was non stop and destructive. DNR was called in on that one. Scared the crap out of them. The bear only ventured here occasionally near as I can tell by paw prints left. But he wrecked havoc over there. Fun stuff round here. Learning to live with predators and not supply them with endless food is a constant.

I am not sure I could wire the coop. I will talk with DH and see what he thinks. I showed him the hoop coop pics but he thinks it would be way to cold for the birds during the winter. IDK

They need it dry and they need it sheltered from wind. Plus, putting down a good layer of straw and keeping it cleaned out should keep them as comfortable as being in a coop. I have bird that live in a coop that is open on one side all winter long. On the really cold days they stay inside except for eating and drinking. They are tougher than people give them credit for most of the time.

 

[lalaland]

wouldn't you know that when I got home late last night, I had two hens sitting on eggs? what are they thinking?

I had to go to a tupperware party that my niece was hosting. Bought some stuff my daughter wanted but couldn't afford. She was sitting next to me so I could ask her what she wanted, since there wasn't anything I wanted or needed. Tupperware started in 1947!

Finally, first hard frost! I have to get that garlic in the ground this weekend.

I think we need a hoop coop raising team. A day once a month at someone's place who needs a coop. Everyone could help put it up, making short work of it, and get to see the chickens and other critters.

time to work,
have a great day everyone

 

[duluthralphie]

Rhett, I cannot believe a hoop coop is too cold. I have no heat in my coops. I try to get the moisture out, that is my concern.

I have an open front on the one coop. It will remain open all winter. Bert Sr. Stayed in an open coop all winter last year. I had a couple that lived in a box (wooden brooder) because I did not have enough coop space. I do not believe the temp difference between Orrock and Palo is enough to make a difference in coop construction.

I think Bears would preclude you from having a hoop coop. They would walk through one like it was paper.


KlopKlop I am going to try and do three batches next year. Of course that could change. You could always sell the extra birds. I saw an ad on craigslist from the Mankato area selling CXs for $15 each. I raised mine for $7.25 each. I think I got everything in. The birds for sale on Craigslist were 4-5 lbs dressed, I know those cost way less than mine did. You can't beat a CX for a luvable bird.


Rhett I think you have the same animal on both photos. The dark part of the tail did not show on the top one. I hate to say this, but I think that one is coyote or like you said young wolf. The legs look to fine (think) for a wolf to me.

It is a coffeeless morning. I need to go to the Doc, and he gets so unreasonable when I have a pot or two of coffee before seeing him.