Surviving Minnesota!

[R2elk]

Hmmm...why is that R2elk?? Inquiring minds want to know.

My brother said it has something to do with my bearing and what I look like. We walked across the border into Mexico long, long ago. No one tried to approach us at a time when the locals were well known for approaching the turistas in hopes of selling things.

 

[R2elk]

Because he does not wear deodorant.

I live alone and rarely go to town. Why should I waste money on deodorant? The animals don't care what I smell like. It certainly is much better than having to smell stinkum.

 

[Molpet]

My brother said it has something to do with my bearing and what I look like. We walked across the border into Mexico long, long ago. No one tried to approach us at a time when the locals were well known for approaching the turistas in hopes of selling things.

Kinda like a when a rooster knows who he can get away with flogging and stays away from confident human

 

[Justin17]

I thought the reason people elevated coops, was for varmint protection?

Agreed. But if I can control the varmints through other means if needed, and there is value in keeping the floor on the ground as a form of insulation, that’s valuable to me since we can get -30 below multiple times a winter. Perhaps even more valuable then varmint protection. That’s what I’m trying to weigh. Perhaps I’m overthinking.

 

[jerryse]

Made my outdoor mushroom bed today . Wine cap mushrooms . Now a long wait for the mushrooms grow . Did some mowing . Did not see that snake before I mowed it . I did some stepping as chunks flew out . Lots of sawdust and planer chips in the mushroom bed .

 

[Bogtown Chick]

If I had to do it over again I would have put foam board between my floor joists. I think it just gets colder faster elevated. And on the ground you’ll be frosty by mid November-December. And then longer to warm come spring. It’s all going to happen up here. Since I didn’t insulate the underfloor I’ve started using straw in the winter the last two years. It is miraculously warm in the winter. You have to find the bales that are still whole stems not the pulverized dusty bagged up stuff at tractor supply. I have done shavings and doubled them up for winter. The straw blows it out of the park in winter with air filled hollow stems. Now this spring I will be back on shavings. Probably going to get that handled this week actually.

 

[R2elk]

If I had to do it over again I would have put foam board between my floor joists. I think it just gets colder faster elevated. And on the ground you’ll be frosty by mid November-December. It’s all going to happen up here. Since I didn’t insulate the underfloor I’ve started using straw in the winter the last two years. It is miraculously warm in the winter. You have to find the bales that are still whole stems not the pulverized dusty bagged up stuff at tractor supply. I have done shavings and doubled them up for winter. The straw blows it out of the park in winter. Now this spring I will be back on shavings. Probably going to get that handled this week actually.

If one wants a truly insulated coop, why doesn't someone build a straw bale chicken coop?

 

[duluthralphie]

If one wants a truly insulated coop, why doesn't someone build a straw bale chicken coop?

Cause Minnesota striped cats can tunnel through a straw bale in 5 seconds.

And that slime Southie invader known as “the Possum” live in straw bales.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

The person I bought eggs from before my first chicks were laying did this. They said it worked incredibly and very comfortable in there. Eventually mom nature, time, pressure and vermin take their toll I’m sure.

...and they’re kinda fugly.

 

[R2elk]

Cause Minnesota striped cats can tunnel through a straw bale in 5 seconds.

And that slime Southie invader known as “the Possum” live in straw bales.

That isn't how you make straw buildings. You cement stucco them on the outside and plaster stucco them on the inside. You have to seal them or they will be full of all kinds of vermin and bugs.