Surviving Minnesota!

[chibisan]

I guess the other thing to consider is drainage, obviously rain wouldn't drain out very easily if it got on there. However it'd definitely be secure against digging.
Just thinking. Perhaps another spot would be better. Obviously it'd be easier to not get the neighbor's okay too This is why it'd be easier to live in the country I suppose!

 

[lvie]

Quote:
Oh, and I wanted to say that four chickens are not going to be stinky when you take care of that coop/run so there should not be residual for them to worry about that way.

 

[I Love Layers]

Today was a good day I took down the while chicken pen, it consisted of about 7 14 foot panels, all of which had chicken wire the first 1 1/2 feet ziptied on.
Then we had to sue the tractor to pull the posts out. My birds are now pen free!!
I haven't locked my birds in the pen since 2013, they always sat in there instead of going out of the pen, so I decided it was time to take it down.

Now to convince my dad that I need some Exhibition birds, and breeding pens

Dakota has about 10 days until she calves! I can't wait!!
T

Today was the first time this year that the ducks got the sprinkler, they definitely weren't to interested.

We cleaned out the barn, so its feed, tack, and grooming side doesn't look dirty anymore.

I did lots of more stuff today but I can't think of it

 

[Violetsfeathers]

I went in the coop and heard this awful cheeping from one of the new chicks! So I looked in their pen and one was on its back and some others were pecking at it. So I picked it up and it was fine.

My Cochin hen just went broody, new chickie sounds got those mama hormones goin', she is vicious! I will see if she will take some of the chicks tomorrow.

 

[lvie]

Quote:
Sounds good.

 

[duluthralphie]

Good Morning..

Lightning, thunder and rain seem to be on tap for most of the day.

I have chicks to move and to get ready for this weeks hatch. I think I made the right decision to stop hatching Black Australorps. I have way more than anyone person should have. I still need more Minnesota Australorps so I can pick the right ones for next years breeding.

The PC chicks are extremely curious and friendly even more than the Royal kids are (Sussex). Last night I would out my finger on the cage and they would run over to stare at it and peck it, as I slid it along the cage they followed it. They are so cute when they run.


Chibisan. I have my layer coop on cement. I like it for ease of cleaning. I just drive the bobcat in and scrape the cement. What does not go into the bucket just piles up in front of it and I push it in. I have another coop without cement. I like the cement better. I am not sure about the pebbly surface you described it could catch and hold stuff. Have you considered putting an 1-2 over lay on it and smoothing it?

Violet, it is terrible how mean they can be to each other. I hope the chick is ok. It does not surprise me your Cochin is Broody, from what those that own them say, they go broody at the drop of a hat.

Both my PC hens are laying eggs again, I am hoping after they got their Brazilian wax they are going to have more fertile eggs than before. Also Ed's manscaping should help. I am thinking of making Bert Jr a bachelor, Or moving him to the layer pen. I would let Bertha join Ed's harem. I wonder what Toad, Partridge Chanticler crosses would look like and how fast they would grow.

The Brits have went on strike now, they are not laying, They beg to get out of the run, and I enjoy having them out as I know the Gals stay faithful to King George. Well, that and Sven is afraid to get too close to the girls.

I find it amazing how Sven and King George have a "treaty" of sorts. Sven has his area he never leaves. King George has his area he does not allow Sven into, then they have a third area they both go but neither does any breeding there as they are too busy skirmishing and watching each other. (the British gals never go to that area. They seem to like the rhubarb patch better than the front yard.

I think I have a broody turkey hen, She has 8 eggs. I have marked them and keep removing the extra eggs. The others seem to lay right next to or on top of her. the eggs somehow get under her. She is a tad skittish yet, so when I come towards her she gets off the nest and makes that weird clucking sound but does not stop me from looking at her eggs. She is a yearling so the chances of a hatch are slim to none. That and she decided to brood in the corner on the floor of the coop. As soon as I leave the coop she is back on her eggs.

I have a dozen Creamettes going to Grand Rapids this afternoon. That will help my over crowding some. The rest are headed to the sheds.

My Wild bird feeders are empty, It is raining pretty hard, Ivie could you run on over her and fill them? I hate to get wet and melt.

 

[I Love Layers]

Good Morning..

Lightning, thunder and rain seem to be on tap for most of the day.

I have chicks to move and to get ready for this weeks hatch.   I think I made the right decision to stop hatching Black Australorps.   I have way more than anyone person should have. I still need more Minnesota Australorps so I can pick the right ones for next years breeding.

The PC chicks are extremely curious and friendly even more than the Royal kids are (Sussex). Last night I would out my finger on the cage and they would run over to stare at it and peck it, as I slid it along the cage they followed it. They are so cute when they run.


Chibisan. I have my layer coop on cement.  I like it for ease of cleaning. I just drive the bobcat in and scrape the cement. What does not go into the bucket just piles up in front of it and I push it in.  I have another coop without cement. I like the cement better. I am not sure about the pebbly surface you described it could catch and hold stuff. Have you considered putting an 1-2 over lay on it and smoothing it?

Violet, it is terrible how mean they can be to each other. I hope the chick is ok.  It does not surprise me your Cochin is Broody, from what those that own them say, they go broody at the drop of a hat. 

Both my PC hens are laying eggs again, I am hoping after they got their Brazilian wax they are going to have more fertile eggs than before. Also Ed's manscaping should help.   I am thinking of making Bert Jr a bachelor, Or moving him to the layer pen.  I would let Bertha join Ed's harem.  I wonder what Toad, Partridge Chanticler crosses would look like and how fast they would grow.

The Brits have went on strike now, they are not laying, They beg to get out of the run, and I enjoy having them out as I know the Gals stay faithful to King George.  Well, that and Sven is afraid to get too close to the girls.  

I find it amazing how Sven and King George have a "treaty" of sorts. Sven has his area he never leaves. King George has his area he does not allow Sven into, then they have a third area they both go but neither does any breeding there as they are too busy skirmishing and watching each other. (the British gals never go to that area. They seem to like the rhubarb patch better than the front yard.

I think I have a broody turkey hen, She has 8 eggs. I have marked them and keep removing the extra eggs. The others seem to lay right next to or on top of her. the eggs somehow get under her. She is a tad skittish yet, so when I come towards her she gets off the nest and makes that weird clucking sound but does not stop me from looking at her eggs.  She is a yearling so the chances of a hatch are slim to none.  That and she decided to brood in the corner on the floor of the coop.  As soon as I leave the coop she is back on her eggs.

I have a dozen Creamettes going to Grand Rapids this afternoon. That will help my over crowding some. The rest are headed to the sheds.

My Wild bird feeders are empty, It is raining pretty hard, Ivie could you run on over her and fill them? I hate to get wet and melt. 

Are your black australorps up yo Show quality standards

 

[duluthralphie]

Are your black australorps up yo Show quality standards

Nope, they are straight production. I just like them is all.

 

[I Love Layers]

Nope, they are straight production. I just like them is all.

Ok. I'm trying to find breeders of Australorps, Silkies, Marans, Polish, Hamburg, and Cochins near me

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I know some flocks have cement bases for coops. To make clean up easier, to make the coop predator proof.
Good reasons to build on cement.

However cement holds cold for a long time radiating that through the bedding in winter. It will hold warmth conversely longer through the fall as well. I will say that I've had trouble with broken toes and such with birds landing too hard on the coop floor. Cement makes me feel that would increase those issues. Idk.

Ivie makes points about chickens digging through litter and dirt. Cement could be topped with a big fluffy layer of litter I guess.

Personally I guess I'd go with a more natural set up. One could use the cement as a patio for a bench or chairs used for chicken tv watching or to build chickenn supply storage next to the coop.

Hens can have a loud egg song or predator call. Checking with neighbors is a good idea.