Minnesota!

[Minniechickmama]

Just wrapping up. We only have a quarter left of flowers then about a week of tillage left.

Running down sunflower stalks this morning.

Man, those are tough buggers! We have the least fun getting the stalks out in the fall. That is a very cool smell from them though.

 

[KlopKlop]

@gofeedthegirls

Could you share a photo of your poopboard? I'm still trying to visualize how to build one.

This is mine. It is a 36"x82" door that I attached to the wall and the two legs. The roost bars span across it and can hinge up to allow me room to scrape the poo down into the gutter at the front for removal.

 

[Minniechickmama]

The tops of the keratin cores that scab will also oxidize and turn black. (Think Blackheads)

It is weird why that plastic is so expensive isn't it?!

Bizarre.

GFTG....You are right to put water out in the run to help keep moisture out of the coop. However if on a -25 or -30 day you decide to keep the girls cooped up ...or they'll probably decide that themselves to keep their toesies warm... then they'll want some water inside the coop for that day. You'll have to weigh it out and what works for you. My electricity runs into the coop and so I do plug in and keep water inside the coop. I've been thinking about the run though lately. IDK...

I find that the mixed flock that must be watered outside the coop with the black pan, all come out for water, even it if it just for a quick drink then back in the coop. What I hate is when it melts enough that they get their feet wet, but most do pretty well. I toss straw out for them to scratch in and toss cracked corn in that too so they move around and get their blood pumping.

I use cinder blocks for water elevation.

I prefer wood, then I can clean it out easier. I think a cinder block would freeze too hard for me to do that with.

 

[KlopKlop]

Just wrapping up. We only have a quarter left of flowers then about a week of tillage left.

Running down sunflower stalks this morning.

Awesome. Down here we haven't had any rain in a few weeks so the crops have been flying out of the fields. it is insane how many fields are cleared and plowed already.

the corn is coming out pretty dry too, so drying is going quickly

 

[Minniechickmama]

This is mine. It is a 36"x82" door that I attached to the wall and the two legs. The roost bars span across it and can hinge up to allow me room to scrape the poo down into the gutter at the front for removal.

I see daylight in that corner, need to block that from drafts on the roost. You could just use some spray foam along that corner.

 

[KlopKlop]

I see daylight in that corner, need to block that from drafts on the roost. You could just use some spray foam along that corner.

That is to the inside of the shed, but probably not a bad idea anyways. good eye! I hadn't noticed that.

 

[scandiafowl]

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/11/make-cookie-tin-waterer-heater-under-10.html?m=1

Any thoughts on this? She lives in Connecticut.

 

[Cluckies]

I finally got my coop for the most part winterized. I finally finished my poop board project I had been putting off, got the top of the run tarped and the sides wrapped in stupidly over-priced clear plastic that im sure wont hold up anyways, and picked up two of them fancy rubber water bowls yall speak so highly of(and I see why).

Question, do you leave the feed and water out in the run in the winter? I figured I would to hopefully help on keeping the moisture down.

I do, all year.

 

[Cluckies]

Close call, outside with my 2 small dogs and watching the girls in the yard. When all of a sudden I noticed this hawk swooping in my yard and talons out ready to grab 1 of my dogs I started screaming to the coop. To the coop and running in that direction and the hawk started flapping his wings backwards and then right above us another hawk squealed. Chickens went running most went to the coop and couple went under compost bins. Hawks landed in oak tree above the chicken run. I grabbed dogs put them inside then chased the Hawks out of tree by throwing sticks at them. Got the other 2 girls in the run and locked the door.. Poor things have to be locked up on a nice day like today..

I've noticed at my place the Hawks and eagles are usually gone by 3:30 or so. I usually don't let them out until then. Glad you got everyone to safety!

 

[Cluckies]

Always glad to help when I can.  You are doing a great job at getting her back on track.

When some of us start out at something like chicken raising, we find that Mother Nature likes to teach us lots of big lessons right away

this is true!