MICHIGAN Chickenstock North - 2012 August or September

[Anish]

Oh Kimmie, I am soooo with you on that! Every time I think I have all the breeda that I am really interested in, I decide I want another!!

Oh, and don't even get me started on ducks and geese!

 

[swampducks]

That rumpless chicken is funny looking. Makes me want to watch and see if it falls over.

I'll be pretty safe from wanting any this year. Not with 40 chickens and a bunch of guineas to deal with. Can't keep them all through winter so some have got to go, mostly to freezer camp.

I think it's great that a few of you want to camp out the weekend of this CS. I'd join you but I hate camping. Just can't stand the bugs and primitive conditions. Give me a hotel room any day, but if it's in Grayling, I'll be there, it's only 90 minutes from me. I can come early and leave late to help. Sure home the supervisor okays this Anish. Fingers crossed.

 

[Amy PT]

Higgens Lake is not far from Grayling. Both the north and south Higgens Lake State Parks have camping. Here's a link: http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=478&type=SPRK

We might join you all, if we're heading north (anyhow) for the weekend.

 

[Anish]

Went on up to Grayling today to check out the park and it's really neat!! It's small, but nice. The bathrooms are EXTREMELY clean, there are nature trails, you can fish the E. branch of the AuSable, and there is am AWESOME playscape/playground! I think it should work out just about perfect!
On the other hand, we went to check out the campground that I was looking at on the internet and we couldnt find it. Sooo, might just have to go the Higgins route. I was thinking Hartwick pines since there is camping there, but I doubt we would be welcome with our birds since when I was looking into that as a possible venue, I got the "lepper reaction" as soon as I mentioned chickens. Does anybody know what the rules are as far as taking chickens into Mich. State parks? Could be that this preson was just being a butt too. I do know that Hartwick would be closer than Higgins. Either way, we need to find out about the rules of the State parks. I know that the smaller, self register type campgrounds, they probably wouldnt even notice let alone care, but the bigger campgrounds could be a problem. I have been all over the DNR sites and the State of Michigan sites and I can not find ANYTHING about chicken rules. Hopefully somebody will have better luck than I did.

Oh, bought a couple of 2 week old Muscovy ducklings today

 

[jrsckn]

This is probably one of those situations the DNR never thought would happen so there are no rules for chickens. DNR : "you want to camp with a WHAAATTTT?????

"You said chickens???????"

 

[Anish]

OMG! That's exactly the reaction I get whe I am talking to these people about potential venues.
Me: Hello, I was wondering if you rent out your pavilion?
Person I'm talking to: Yes we do, for $___. What will you be needing it for?
Me: Well, I belong to an online forum called Back Yard Chickens..........
Person: Back yard what?
Me: Chickens.
Person: Chickens?
Me: Yes, chickens.
Person: And what do you want to do now?

This is where several variables in the conversation come in. Usually leading to a resounding "NO".

That's why I was so excited when the Grayling Twp. Supervisor said "Oh, ok, well we havent had that come up here, but I can't see that there would be a problem with it". I bet he has had chickens at some point, because after talking to him, he seemed like he actually got it.

Still havent heard back yet but, they said by Monday, so there are still a few days.

 

[Anish]

STILL havent heard anything from the Twp. (We have till Monday and then the Supervisor told me that if I didnt hear from him then to give him a call). The suspense is killing me!!!!!!!
Oh, yesterday I was googling something (can't remember what right now), but I found an add for a "Fowl Fest" down in Birch Run in October. I was REALLY liking the idea of calling this "Fall Fowl Fest", but I am afraid that we might run into some problems if call it that . So, back to the drawing board. I am looking for suggestions on what to call this thing, so please share any ideas .

Just for poops and giggles, what types of birds is everybody hoping to find at the gathering?

I would like: An Arucana hen/pullet
A blue laced red wyandotte hen/pullet
A light or buff bramah hen/pullet
Silkies in any color besides white (already have 4 white ones)
Frizzle hen/pullet
Any polish hen/pullet
Any cochin hen/pullet
Penciled Wyandotte hen/pullet
Muscovy hen (black or primarily black)
Cayuga hen
Indian runner hen (other than fawn/white - already have 3)
Sebastopol goose

Right now thats all I can think of, lol! As I'm sure you can tell, I am all about a mixed flock!

Also, I have a rooster who is a pretty nice guy. He's a red, but so far he seems to be pretty easy going. I need to find a home for him because I REALLY need to reduce my roosters. Here's the catch.... I need him to go to a home that will keep him as a pet (if possible). My son would be crushed if he thought that the roo was going to be a meat bird. I also have a beautiful barred rock roo and if I knew he were going to go to someone who wanted him as a pet, I might be willing to part with him (he is one of my favorites, problem is, I have too many favorites). Either or both of these guys would be free if I had the assurance that they would not be meat birds. If anybody is interested, just let me know.

 

[Opa]

I kind of like "Fall Fowl Follies"

 

[Brethren49619]

Northern Fall Flock Swap?

I am interested in individual hens - Polish, BLRW, LO, French Blue Copper Marans, and or anything porcelain in a medium to large breed.

I have some splash silkies that I will be re-homing, but right now I do not know which ones. Have to wait a little longer on them till I know what they are.

 

[RaZ]

Well if this takes place after August 31 and depending on how my court case goes. I could have a BO, a BLA, 2 Uggos, 3 ISA Browns and 4 BSLs. All are hens and proven layers.

Or in best case, I win, I'll be keeping my egg machines and simply ride the motorcycle up, eat some good food and shoot the breeze with y'all.