Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[gaitngirl]

do they test them live,? I brought some down but he did a necropsy
have to say it was worth knowing and yes $$$ and Dr. Fulton is very helpful . Let us know what they come up with

No, they don't test them live - it would be necropsy. He did tell me about another research laboratory that can do blood testing but also it would take about 6 months to get the results back!!! I just have to figure out when I can make it out there. The pullet that I thought was off seems to be recovering from whatever ailed her. She still seems to have either some light sensitivity or a sore neck (she squints when she tilts her head to look up at me). I'm going to give her another week to see what happens - keeping her quarantined from all of the others and watching the mini-flock she was housed with for any further symptoms. If I see any further signs that might indicate Mareks from any of them, I'll cull and take them in for testing. Dr. Fulton says that there are many other things it could be but that the cost would be the same if they were testing one bird or several.

 

[Opa]

Another warm day awaits us with a chance of thunderstorms. The one that rolled through here yesterday certainly was a disappointment. The sky darken, the thunder rolled, the winds picked up, and maybe 8 drops of rain fell. So today I must water the garden.

Later this morning I'll go visit an old bachelor friend whose farm I've hunted on for the past 35 years. When I first met him he lived with his brother and his father. Now it is down to just him and he is always glad to have company. He will be 90 this next January and given his current health I would not be surprised if he lives to be 100.

 

[kimmie6067]

I didn't SEE any of it, only found it out after the fact. My DH said the commotion (our dogs barking in the house) was cuz the neighbors Husky had been in the yard, but he didn't think it was doing any harm. He pays little attention, and was working on some fencing to KEEP OUR OWN DOGS in so they wouldn't get in the road, we've had too many losses. The dog started on the west side of the yard and there are 6 different places in which the terror took place, feathers everywhere and he didn't even notice. When I saw the pile of white feathers I first thought MY TURKEYS, went out to look and then saw all the other places where the feathers were, at one point right on the corner by the STOP sign was a partially developed egg and more feathers. The bird must have gotten ripped open there. More feathers just across the road and not on our property. I went down and talked to the neighbor, first I asked "you have a Husky, blue eyes and a collar on?" she said yes. I told her it across the road now running around the barns over there, but it just killed one of my chickens, and I showed her a handfull of feathers, told her if it came back I would have the shotgun and I'd have to shoot it. I went home and not 2 minutes looked out the window and it was back. I took my DH handgun off the counter in the kitchen, it was available and went out to the yard. I aimed at the dog, it was in MY yard, but I didn't shoot because the shot would have gone across the road. Not a good thing. At another point around on the east side I aimed again, still yelling at the dog to get out of here, but again the neighbors house was in the background. At that point the neighbor drove up. She was driving and he got out and started yelling at me about the gun: "are you gonna shoot a family pet over a CHICKEN?" that really ruffled my feathers. I told him I was on my own property and had every right to have a gun in my hand and to defend my animals. He kept yelling at me and I said fine, I'll call the cops, walked away and called 911, while on the phone with dispatch, the dog owner walked up the driveway and talked with my husband. Dispatch was asking me where the gun was and was their conversation heated. I said the gun was on the counter, not in my hand, and the conversation sounded civil. She said she'd send someone over. Dog owner left, I walked around and took photos of all the spots where the clumps of feathers were, 6 in all. Went upstairs to start uploading them so I'd have a timeline of when I took them and somewhat when the event had occured, my husband came in and said the cops were here, so I went downstairs and he was mad at me because I'd called. First thing I told the cops was my husband was kissing the neighbors *** and would rather keep peace with them than with ME. He heard it and I don't care.
The cops took my whole report, were actually very understanding. State police, 2 of them. He looked at all my chicken tractors and stuff I make so I can keep them on fresh grass, you know and move them around. They did tell me my best course of action would be to take pics of the dog IN the yard if it came back. Like that would be my first priority!! But that if it was getting into the fenced area, in process of killing a bird, or ripping into a tractor, to do what I needed to do. So I got it from HIS mouth. BUt I've since done some searching, printed off what I found and underlined in RED for my DH so he knows where I'm standing, obviously all alone.
I thank you all for your sympathy. I'm still pretty upset.

Wow how upsetting especially that your husband did not back you up. Who cares what your neigbhors think dumb dog killed your birds!

 

[kimmie6067]

Another warm day awaits us with a chance of thunderstorms. The one that rolled through here yesterday certainly was a disappointment. The sky darken, the thunder rolled, the winds picked up, and maybe 8 drops of rain fell. So today I must water the garden.

Later this morning I'll go visit an old bachelor friend whose farm I've hunted on for the past 35 years. When I first met him he lived with his brother and his father. Now it is down to just him and he is always glad to have company. He will be 90 this next January and given his current health I would not be surprised if he lives to be 100.

My Mom is finally warm, lol. She still wore a light jackets yesterday!! Then wondered why she was so hot, lol. It is raining here yeah!! It is so dry.
I love the old folks they have so much wisdom, I wish my Great Grand Parents were still alive. My Great Grandpa wrote a diary for 50 years not missing a day! Great Grandma donated it to Texas Tech were it is today on display. A book was written about his diary called Plains Farmer by William G. DeLoach. I love reading it. My brother has a manuscript of the whole diary.

Kimmie

 

[kimmie6067]

Just got off the phone with Dr. Fulton in Lansing. What a nice man! It's going to cost me quite a bit for testing but will be worth the peace of mind. Looks like I'll be heading to Lansing . . .

I hope you get the answers you want. I thought it's free through the state when you have birds die, for the testing?

Kimmie

 

[kimmie6067]

CS was a lot of fun. Had a great time. I am sorry I forgot the eggs, RaZ...

I also want to thank again everyone who helped me catch silly's cockerel. I know... very hot day to be chasing a chicken. LOL

Taprock, hope you're kid is supremely happy... even though I know you're not.... But I must say that the joy on his face is worth what ever rancor you may be feeling towards me. I hope he helps to make a high roost for the pair.

Silly, how's the little demon? I still can't believe he bit me, but then again, I guess I would be a bit freaked out, being in a strange place and having a group of people chasing me around. Poor boy. Hope you like him and he works out for you. Let me know if he doesn't. I have one that is only about 8 weeks, but I don't think his color is going to be as rich as the one you got.

I was/am so lucky to have such a great neighbor, and such a good friend to have helped me with my jeep the Saturday also. I went to work shortly after getting home, only to have the check engine light come on, followed shortly there after by the battery light. Went to the auto store, tested the battery and the alternator, purchased an alternator, went home and spent the next 3-4 hours getting it changed. I got so far into the job and couldn't get it out. Neighbor came to help, but then he couldn't stand for to long, (feet) and called my other bud to get his take on how to get the part out. I found the two bolt behind the alternator that I needed to get the bracket loose, but missed a holding plate that had another 4 nuts to take out to get that plate off then the bracket and alternator came out together. WHAT A PITA! Anyway, made for a very long day... no nap, and missed my yummy dinner. Oh well. Was still a great day all in all.

Opa, I enjoyed the smoked chicken much more this year. The flavor was excellent and I am not normally one for smoked meats, but that applewood was just delish.

Thanks too for every ones delicious contributions. Made for a truely excellent meal.

Hi Nova did I meet/see you at CS?

 

[kimmie6067]

Seeing as I'm a dog lover, I hate to have a dog get shot when he's doing what a dog does... I rather hurt the owner in the wallet before killing the dog... I know it's frustrating losing birds to a neighbors dog (I've lost a few myself that way too). If they think its "just a chicken" send them a bill for your loss. The cost of a fully mature bird to replace it. Then add in, the money you invested to purchase, feed to raise it, including meds/pest control, the cost of feed to maintain it to what would be a normal life span for your flock. Then factor in the number of eggs/chicks the bird would have produced through out that life span, And then finally add the cost of the carcass of the bird (that you can't even eat now) but could have. all of the these things are financial loss to you. Maybe even factor in an hourly wage for managing the bird... When they see a bill for over 800$ (just tossing out a number) for "just a chicken".. we'll see if they and your DH change their mind....Just because it's not a pet, doesn't mean it doesn't have value, if only financial value.

As far as your DH... yeah, I would be more angered that he didn't have your back vs kissing up to the neighbor. You could always suggest that he go snuggle up to the neighbors dog next time he's feeling frisky...

Silly I love the last statement!!!

 

[preciouskitty]

Quote:
Wow, Opa...I got a TON of rain with that storm last night...with as close as we live to each other I can't believe you didn't get any! My garden was literally flooded!! AND, one of my poor babies didn't make it to the coop before all heck broke lose & sat under the tree/deck soaked & scared (I stayed with her under my covered porch)!!

 

[Maah]

I wanted to thank Maah for the beautiful white silkie rooster and Chickflick for picking him up for me. I love him.

You're very welcome. He's a good boy & I'm glad you like him.

 

[snowflake]

My Mom is finally warm, lol. She still wore a light jackets yesterday!! Then wondered why she was so hot, lol. It is raining here yeah!! It is so dry.
I love the old folks they have so much wisdom, I wish my Great Grand Parents were still alive. My Great Grandpa wrote a diary for 50 years not missing a day! Great Grandma donated it to Texas Tech were it is today on display. A book was written about his diary called Plains Farmer by William G. DeLoach. I love reading it. My brother has a manuscript of the whole diary.

Kimmie

I hope you get the answers you want. I thought it's free through the state when you have birds die, for the testing?

Kimmie

It cost me almost $170, to have a neycropsy, Dr. Fulton requested 3 birds -2 were still alive when I brought them. 2 had Mareks 1 oldter vac. bird had egg parritnites