I’ve decided to go with a 8′ x 12′ shed. I think that will make the best use of materials since the metal comes in 3′ sections. I’m going with a single pitch, or shed style roof. I can get 12′ sections and if I over hang them 6″ on the front and about 6-1/2′ on the back. This will give me a covered area behind the shed to park an old ridding mower that I use to pull trailers around my property. I still have to figure out the construction details and buy materials, but I’m sure I’ll be able to figure it as I go.
Month: July 2016
Bee Update
Our bees appear to be doing well. However it has been very hot lately in S.E. MI so they are “bearding”, which is how they cool off. I need to get another hive body on the stack and add a bottom entrance as well to improve ventilation. However the current stack weighs in excess of 100 lbs, maybe close to 150 lbs so lifting it up and sliding a different bottom board under it. I would like to drill a hole in it and put an entrance disk over it, but I suspect the vibrations that come with drilling will irritate the bees.
Electric Fence Door
We use the portable electro-net fencing to keep our chickens in (more or less). I think more importantly it keeps the ground based predators out. However I don’t want to always have to cut the power to get in and out of the Critter Fence. My dad built what is in effect, a portable door out of 2″ x 2″ boards. Originally we also ran a wire from the electric fence over to the metal fencing that filled in the door. However that has fallen by the wayside as it didn’t appear necessary after a couple of years.
We do have coyotes in the area and this has worked for me for about 5 years now. I don’t believe I’ve ever lost a bird to a ground based predators. Ariel predators on the other hand have been a source of continuing aggravation to me.