Surviving Minnesota!

[BantyChooks]

She knows Cuddles...Everyone that has been here knows Cuddles. He does not let people ignore him.

Make sure she only comes around in summer?

Or tell her Judy made you do it....

 

[Tfred1399]

I have done it both ways - another suggestion is keep on talking on this thread. There are many here that breed birds and sell them. Holms, Ralphie, Cluckies (?) and you will get a reputable bird from them. Only thing is that they may be straight runs. Which does not mean that is negative yet in a 6 x 8 coop you are talking four - maybe five birds. So straight run? What are your thoughts chickeners?

I was planning 4 sq ft/bird, so 4x8 was thinking 6-8 birds. Is that too crowded?

 

[BantyChooks]

I was planning 4 sq ft/bird, so 4x8 was thinking 6-8 birds. Is that too crowded?

Do they have a run too? Covered? Once winter hits they won't be able to stretch their legs outside. If they just have a coop I like to give my birds 6-7 sq feet of space each, but they'll live with four.

 

[Tfred1399]

Do they have a run too? Covered? Once winter hits they won't be able to stretch their legs outside. If they just have a coop I like to give my birds 6-7 sq feet of space each, but they'll live with four.

Was planning on elevating coop so they could use that space and then a covered additional 6x8 covered run. Planning on 10 ft/bird in run.

 

[BantyChooks]

Was planning on elevating coop so they could use that space and then a covered additional 6x8 covered run. Planning on 10 ft/bird in run.

That sounds fine, then.

 

[duluthralphie]

Was planning on elevating coop so they could use that space and then a covered additional 6x8 covered run. Planning on 10 ft/bird in run.

That sounds good, if you can give them nooks and crannies so they can get away from each other and get out of sight of each other a little.

 

[memphis]

Ralphie....your talk of Cuddles reminds me of Gregory Peck. I STILL miss him. SS can be such sweet birds!!

 

[I Love Layers]

Tfred
I'm in North Dakota and I don't insulate. Last 3 years I've just done thatches on the lower 2 feet of the wall. It works pretty well. I have only ever lost one birds comb, and there is no protection by my coop, and we leave in almost a giant bowl down in the creek bottoms so the wind can come howling through. I think this year I will be insulating the roof and maybe one side since it is going to be my coop for my cochins after we get the other grainery from a neighbor for the layers. In terms of square footage I do 2 SQ feet per bird, my birds free range and even in the winter they are usually outside, the only time they are ALL ever in there is at night. This year was a bit different cause we had so much snow but I had my dad take the snow blower on the tractor and make an area where the birds could go without drowning in snow. I would put food and water out there for them and they stayed out there during the day. The only time i was worried, space wise, was during the Christmas blizzard this year, but it was so cold and windy they all wanted huddle up anyways. I don't know run wise as I took mine down after 1 year because it was pointless for me. I would watch out with the elevation of the coop. My relatives did that and they had birds laying eggs under there and there coop was about the same size as you plan yours and after about 3 months they blocked it off with chicken wire.

 

[Tfred1399]

I'm debating roofing material. I was thinking about going with corrugated translucent material and not having any other windows. Thoughts?

 

[Tfred1399]

I'm debating roofing material. I was thinking about going with corrugated translucent material and not having any other windows. Thoughts?

Also, you guys are great! Thanks for the input!