Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[gladahmae]

Ta da!! One almost-finished meaty tractor. All that's left to do is finish putting the fencing on it, and deciding how to attach wheels to one end! Hopefully the rain stays away this afternoon (at least until 8?) and we can get it finished up tonight. After that, we'll just need to get a tarp for the roof and ends, and we'll be all set! ('scuse the 'pumpkin hill tire' just leaning against the fence. LOL! ) It has an 8x8 base and is just under 7ft tall inside in the center.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Gladahmae--- Sweet! I am *so* copying your design, hope u don't mind!

 

[gladahmae]

Gladahmae--- Sweet! I am *so* copying your design, hope u don't mind!

Absolutely! We're probably only going to have around $100 into it, not counting fencing and wheels (got wheels on sale at TSC for $9/ea)

We use this as a guide, and modified it for our needs (didn't rip the 2x4s because of all our wind, not adding roosts or a nest box, etc) and made the angle steeper so we could get inside and fill feeders/waterers and clean as needed. If you have everything and some building know-how, this is easily a one day project.

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Building+a+Pasture+Shelter.html

 

[BTinks]

Absolutely! We're probably only going to have around $100 into it, not counting fencing and wheels (got wheels on sale at TSC for $9/ea)

We use this as a guide, and modified it for our needs (didn't rip the 2x4s because of all our wind, not adding roosts or a nest box, etc) and made the angle steeper so we could get inside and fill feeders/waterers and clean as needed. If you have everything and some building know-how, this is easily a one day project.

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Building+a+Pasture+Shelter.html

Love the coop you're building! We might end up copying it as well if we do meaties this year.

 

[1muttsfan]

the biggest problem with avian flue is people sleeping, living with their ducks. making sure every one washes hands and not putting them on your face, is a good way to keep healthy

I would NEVER put a duck on my face.


Raz would be the one to ask about mulch.

 

[ladyrsanti]

Just popping in with some pics of my chickies outside.




"M", my crowing 6 week-old cockerel being a certifiable cockerel. *sigh*


The only manure I put directly on my garden (veggie) is sheep poo and that's only on the tall veggies that don't come into contact with it like pole beans, corn, sorghum, potatoes and such. Chicken poo is composted and definitely add the new stuff to the old pile, speeds the process to have it inoculated.

 

[gladahmae]

Quote:
Yeah, t his is the shavings and everything. I just pitchforked it into a big trash can and then hauled it to the [empty] compost bin. I use the term "bin" loosely here. It's 3 pallets nailed together.

 

[Maah]

Chick pics...

Our broody had a 100% hatch. 10 out of 10. But...one of the silkie babies drown in the waterer.

So, until her outdoor enclosure is finished (which will be soon), we tucked her & the 9 remaining kiddos into a brooder box inside to prevent anymore mishaps. She actually seems quite content in there. Anyways... here are some pics.








So, are they still called "piggy back rides" if they're chickens?

 

[uchytil]

Been gone again. Probably missed a bunch of chatter eh? Can't believe my CX are almost 8 weeks and almost ready for the camp. So far only about 8 -10 pounds. So more important - Silly, if you read this, the FG and NZ/CA mix both gave birth last Sunday. 3 stills in the FG cage so I have not poked around to see how many more she has. Hoping there's a buck for you. I'll be bringing them to CS along with the NZ/CA/FG mix. What we get one sunny and warm day and now it's raining again? Pulling stumps in the rain is no fun. Think I'll quit that and play with the new Khaki Campbells...

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I think the chicky-back ride is absolutely adorable, and that is one gorgeous mamma.

Gladamae, thanks for that link. I'm thinking that could work very well for the daytime when I don't feel like duck-sitting.

Ducks on the face.... Yep.

I am mulching right now with my ducks bedding, so far no obvious signs of stress to my plants. I do think chickens have higher nitrogen content tho.

I hope you all have great days today! Looks like rain is coming. Stay dry.