Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Hillbilly Hen]

Welcome to all the newbies and welcome back Sarah

The toolbar is back and I can once again post without difficulty.

RaZ, I just invited my sister to chickenstock

We just saw a bobcat here!!

 

[mylobell]

Anyone interested in a flock of Pekins? 5 gals, 1 drake. 2- 2+yrs old, 1- 1 yr old, and 3- 7 week olds? And 1 big Mixed drake that looks little like a Sweedish?

I might be interested in the Pekins flock, but I really don't need anymore drakes. I have two crazy Jumbo Pekin drakes now. They are most likely the reason I spotted the young jumbo pekin hen with a very bad limp. I have Jumbo Pekins - 3 drakes and 3 hens. One hen and drake have been a set since I got them.
I will never have DH ever handle giving away those two jumbo Pekin drakes again. The last time I had someone to take the two crazy drakes for a polish meal - he gave away my new set of pekin ducks I had owned less than 24 hours.

I had told him how to tell the difference between the drakes and hens ducks. I also separated the new ducks from the crazy drakes. So much for duck education.

My ducks really liked the new wading pool I put in the run this afternoon. I got to watch them play while I was planting the garden seeds today.
Some of the tomatoes got touched a little with the frost, despite being covered up.

Hmm, perhaps the ducks could get out into his new fish pond. . . I better not do it, sigh, my ducks would get in trouble eating his new fishes in the pond. No, I really shouldn't do it. . . LOL! But it is so-o-o temping. ROFTL

 

[NovaAman]

Speaking of ducks... I have a tugboat sand box that I used for my ducks. Has a drain plug, makes it nice for draining, and a lid to keep the night crap out... Anyway, my four that I had, they had enough room. I had two Campbell's and two buffs so you know the size that used it... ANYWAY its free to who ever wants to pick it up...

HH, Tap can put on a ball gown and come shoot it for you...

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Wow, even more. http://oakparkhatesveggies.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/what-the-cluck-indeed/#comment-19202
Thanks for the link, BFM.

YOUR ladies are doing quite well. There has been little to no squabbling between flocks and mama and her baby trust them now! The girls gave me 3/4 eggs yesterday and 3/4 eggs today
Pattie is the only one I am worried about... she is the smallest of my flock and mama picks on her, but Pattie has also been broody for 6 weeks now

She hid the first 3 eggs from me yesterday!!! I put plastic eggs in the boxes so your girls would lay in the boxes... Pattie claimed them as her own...
Which one of the BSLs lays the JUMBO eggs? She needs some extra treats!!! LOL
I can tell the difference between all of them! Just need to learn who lays which egg

My birds had no idea what to do with a melon... your girls make short work of one! LOL
Let them all out in the yard today while DS and I were out, MAN your girls make some big craters in the dirt!!!
Needless to say we are having fun!

 

[gaitngirl]

We tried newspapers in the past, but I don't think we ever went as thick as 7 layers. I will see if Rich can stop at the paper recycling place on the way home and get some stacks of papers. I certainly want to avoid using plastics and chemicals but I am at my wit's end for weed control. I picked up some straw from the feed mill in cedar springs today. Hopefully they won't be as full of seeds as last year.

Sarah - I usually use several layers of newspaper and cardboard. The worms love it and it's quite effective in keeping the weeds down.

 

[gaitngirl]

Anyone interested in a flock of Pekins? 5 gals, 1 drake. 2- 2+yrs old, 1- 1 yr old, and 3- 7 week olds? And 1 big Mixed drake that looks little like a Sweedish?

I would be interested in one or two of the hens if you don't mind separating the flock . . .

 

[Opa]

For some reason I can't upload any pictures so you will have to imagine the coffee of your choice being at the start of this post.

One of the unfortunate tasks that falls to a responsible chicken owner is the need to quickly dispatch a bird that is in distress. Yesterday, when I went to gather eggs, I found one of my older ISA brown hen sitting in the floor of the coop. When my incursion prompted no response I needed to investigate. While her eyes were bright and she wasn't having in respiratory issues she wasn't reacting to my approach.

Once outside where I could examine her I found that her oviduct had prolapsed. My son David was with me and ask what could I do for her. A quick jerk and a successful cervical dislocation showed him. Oft times the very best course of action for a distressed bird is a quick demise.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Sorry about your older hen Opa. Yes indeed these ducks do put a dent in the skeeter population here! I'm in SW Genesee Co, so Millington is not too far, I would like to wait a bit, my family finally caught the nasty flu, so best to wait.

 

[taprock]

For you Opa. I have time on my hands as I sit in the waiting room waiting on DH. Opa the longer I have chickens the more I know you are a wise man. I just need some instruction on the cervical dislocation. The last bird I tried it on thought I was just giving him an adjustment and seemed to enjoy it.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hope things go well for DH, Taprock