Minnesota!

[holm25]

Just "some" pics.... I am SO sorry for this photo bomb!!

. This is how my day was!!

 

[Coffee 1st]

Bedding question - I'm going clean out the coop soon and get fresh bedding in there for the winter. I just have hay down now, but I'm thinking of using a few inches of pine shavings and then a few inches of hay. Does anyone use DE in their coop? I'm thinking of sprinkling some on the floor, then again on top of the pine shavings before I put the hay down.

I use DE,, I have a linoleum flooring then i put a tarp down (this way i can just drag the tarp out when i want to clean and everything is on tarp) I use straw because my girls seem to like it, then i throw DE all over the top toss it a couple times with a pitchfork and im done. I tried Pine shavings before but my girls didnt like it i think it was to slippery for them, thats OK by me because straw is cheaper. Ive only had to clean my coop floor once the summer since i got my girls because there is never anything on the floor BUT my poop board is another matter FULL every morning, but thats ok thats what i wanted them to do. they are never in the coop anyways only to sleep... I did have a mite problem but i think that was from getting 2 new hens and not quarantine them dont think it was from the straw but one never knows... OHHHH and I also use DE in their dust bath area....

 

[Coffee 1st]

Thanks fpr the links... I agree Holm`s was better then several of those.....

 

[Coffee 1st]

Here are pics of outside the coop.. not finished yet i ran out of wood strips and short screws..

Here you can see the gap between the plastic and metal roofing.. the gap is on the North and South side, wish it was east and west but thats the ways the roof pitches...

 

[KlopKlop]

Here are pics of outside the coop.. not finished yet i ran out of wood strips and short screws..

Here you can see the gap between the plastic and metal roofing.. the gap is on the North and South side, wish it was east and west but thats the ways the roof pitches...

That is awesome! Do you have a lock on the door? im just remembering back to when you had a guest that one night. that would look like a cozy squat this winter to the wayward...

I would definitely recommend adding more wood strips (as it sounds you will) or you may get some tearing on windy days with the plastic flapping.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Holm, you were robbed! That was an awesome picture!

 

[Coffee 1st]

That is awesome! Do you have a lock on the door? im just remembering back to when you had a guest that one night. that would look like a cozy squat this winter to the wayward...

Yep I have 2 locks on screen door ,1 lock on pop door.2 locks on main door i walk in to coop. 1 lock on each nest box (2)....

 

[KlopKlop]

Yep I have 2 locks on screen door ,1 lock on pop door.2 locks on main door i walk in to coop. 1 lock on each nest box (2)....

I would definitely recommend adding more wood strips (as it sounds you will) or you may get some tearing on windy days with the plastic flapping. especially the side shown in the second photo

 

[Minniechickmama]

Here are pics of outside the coop.. not finished yet i ran out of wood strips and short screws..

Here you can see the gap between the plastic and metal roofing.. the gap is on the North and South side, wish it was east and west but thats the ways the roof pitches...

I agree with needing more strips. Along the top where you have those gaps, might I suggest some foam? That way you can close it off if it is really cold, but so you can get ventilation again when it gets too warm, you can release the moist air out the top. I think that is perfect for a natural ventilation flow when needed during those times. You know we almost always get that mid-winter warm up and those day can get moist and sticky.

 

[aussiegal318]

Hi all - new here from Roseville, MN.  Anyone in the area?! My family is starting the planning process for getting our chickens and coops next Spring.  Any helpful tips/threads to look at for getting started?  I have gotten a number of books from the library, but would love some local MN advice.  What have you found works best for 3-4 hens, keeping coop maintained, coop styles, keeping predators out, keeping hens warm enough in the winter, etc?

Thanks for any help!  This is a wealth of information, but a bit intimidating to sort through to a newbie

Welcome mamussell. You will find helpful people on here.