Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Hillbilly Hen]

@fuzzi Thanks. It's covered with a clear tarp but we have used greenhouse plastic in the past.

 

[1muttsfan]

I got back from my out-of-town trip, and found a foot of snow, driveway not plowed, chicken run roof and tractor shed not roof raked, chickens getting low on food and water, bird feeders empty . It's really hard to get good help.

 

[Folly's place]

That's really bad! Hope you get someone useful/ reliable next time!
Mary

 

[Chickin Fairy]

@1muttsfan Oh no! I have had that happen before. I had someone who was supposed to come over and watched her on camera just fill the waterer and not fill the feed. She told me she did both. She did make sure to gather eggs, tho. Another time, I asked my neighbor's teen to let the birds out in the morning and they didn't come over. The birds were all locked in a hot coop when I got home in the afternoon. I don't trust anybody to take care of my birds when I'm gone, anymore. I hope they're all okay and you find someone good for next time.

 

[Sally PB]

I don't trust anybody to take care of my birds when I'm gone, anymore.

I had a great chicken sitter. She was the neighbor two doors down. Unfortunately, she was my "neighbor who had a heart attack," and that was the end of her chicken sitting days. RIP Jamie...

My next door neighbor has chickens. She has 3 boys she home schools, so they are home a lot. Based on how they care for their chickens, they are never taking care of mine. I told my husband that if I were to go on a vacation, I would never have a moment's rest, and I would be very stressed the entire time.

So I stay home. I haven't gone anywhere in two years. I don't mind a bit.

 

[1muttsfan]

Another 6 inches of snow last night. That puts our snow total at around 20 inches, 3 days into the season. Hope it's not a sign of things to come.

I leave my pop door open on all but the coldest days when the wind blasts out of the north. That way I know if there is a water glitch they will have access to snow. And put 2 feeders in the coop full all the time. When I go out of town at Christmas I have a much more reliable caretaker.

 

[chickflick]

I'm so glad I got the run covered before the first snow. Last year, hubby bought clear tarps so I can kinda see what the chicks are doing. They didn't last the winter. This year, he found waterproof canvas tarps. Can't see thru them, but so well made. And don't flap in the wind.
I had a horrible chicken sitter for a time. Next door neighbor girl asked if she could take care of my chickens when we went camping. She said she was responsible. She forgot one time... the whole weekend! Luckily we just went on long week end trips. Another time she forgot she had camp. Her parents took care of them that week end. I had directions written in the basement, where the food was and the cats, that they likes to play with. That didn't work, so I actually wrote them on the inside of the coop door in chalk. Still, didn't pay attention. Didn't want to make trouble with the parents, so I had one of my kids stop by and check on things. So glad when they moved!! Have a new neighbor young lady that did much better!