11/01/2025
🐔 Getting the Coops Ready for a Michigan Winter ❄️
Winter prep time around here means a lot more than tossing down extra bedding. Chickens don’t need heat to stay healthy—but they do need the right setup to make it through our Michigan winters.
That means:
✅ Proper ventilation (fresh air without drafts)
✅ A dry, draft-free coop
✅ And clear panels or tarps around the run to block the wind while still letting in sunlight.
When you have multiple flocks, each one needs its own rooster. Roosters aren’t just for fertilizing eggs—they play a huge role in flock dynamics. They keep the peace, manage the pecking order, and protect their hens when they’re free-ranging. Every flock really has its own little family system, and the rooster is a big part of that balance.
People sometimes joke and ask, “So how does it feel to have free eggs?” 🥚
Well… let’s just say there’s no such thing as “free” when it comes to animal care. It’s not only the feed—it’s the cleaning, the labor, the planning, and the thousands of dollars invested into housing, maintenance, and keeping everyone safe and healthy through the cold months.
At the end of the day, it’s all worth it. Because this isn’t just about eggs—it’s about the care, respect, and love that go into every part of raising these animals. ❤️
Here’s to another cozy (and hardworking!) winter with the flock. 🐓
