Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

Is it Christmas yet?   No I replied, but only 244 days left ;-)

It is snowing here again in Michigan, our big fat robin is sitting in a rut filled with water surrounded by white fluffy snow.  The snow was almost gone, the falcons have been hovering over the fields and the first 2 robins appeared this week.  Now, the snow! 


We really are excited for the snow.  The snow has kept the logging businesses going and at high demand.  It has blessed us with the much needed moisture.  We wanted lots of snow this year and the Lord gave it to us, praise his name! 


Today was also blessed with a clean up day fire.  We raked the yard, cut down & cleaned up a few dead plum trees.  The wet rain yesterday and snow today, allowed us to have a large brush fire.  So, let it snow, let is snow, let it snow!

Get Your Own EGGS! (Part 2 of 2)

PART 2: THE CHICKEN COOP OR HEN HOUSE

 

 

Now that you are set on a size of chickens or maybe you even purchased your chicks already...

 

 

you enjoy them and live happily ever after.  LOL.  Not really, like any critter, a plan of action is good. You may already have one; even better!  If not, this post is for you along with all the other chicken tenders, LOL, I mean chicken farmers. 

Egg laying hens need a place to lay those precious jewels. 

 



 

The space per bird confined is 10sq. ft. per heavy breed and 7 sq. ft. per lightweight breed, 2 sq. ft per bantam.  Plus roosts.  If you are letting them forage or have an outdoor run, you can get by with about half of that space per bird.  Also remember if sacrificing some space, that they do need to be able to get out of the elements.  Every investment you put into your birds will result in a high quality of eggs and better production.

 

Calculate the space you will need.

 

Maintain a plan for proper ventilation; yet sealed away safely from predators and the elements.

 

Are you planning to add onto a preexisting structure or start from scratch?

 

Ideas beget ideas, here are a few with links for details.  ;) 

 

http://www.instructables.com/id/Backyard-Chicken-Coop/

 

 

 

 

Tarter farm offers this downloadable chicken house plan.

 

 

 

 

 

You can download this free plan from Purina by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

Here is a gambrel style coop that is sufficient and could hold enough hens for a family in town.  Check it out.

  

 

 

 

 

Here's a tractor by the Kycklingars.

 



 

 

 

 

The Cluckingham Palace Coop.  A great portable chicken tractor.

 

 

 

 

 

COCO Channel Castle has a beautiful coop.

 

Mini Coop

Paw Hut Deluxe

Trixie 

 

 

Hopefully these were a help to you.  Here is a link for over one hundred plans and/or layouts.  Best wishes to you.  If you have a favorite, feel free to share with a link.