Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[tdhenson86]

Yeah, I had that happen last year (nest in the engine). It was disgusting! They royally messed it up in there. I started it, not realizing. Mouse guts and other parts are horrible to try to clean out . . .

I purchased my first rider last year (new) and was told by a friend to make sure to stuff steel wool in the exhaust pipe at the end of the season so that mice don't get in there in the winter. I did that, and everything turned out fine.

Good advice!

 

[jimmywalt]

I bookmarked that page for when we build a permanent automatic pop door so thanks for that. It looks good. Right now, we've got a test program on the Lego brick to run a 3 second delay, 3 revolution, 3 second delay and 3 reverse revolutions and it works, lifts quite a bit actually. I need to build a mount for it in the coop today so they can test a real time program and cut/mount a plexi door and get some fresh batteries. We should be in business. WHEW!

I wonder how that will work for an 8 hour +/- duration? Don't kids toys with batteries usually turn off after x minutes, so how will it close the door after it opens? Plus the weight of the door has got to pull on the batteries if they are what is going to hold it open all day.

I'd hook up something to 110 house current, or at least a fully charged tractor/car battery.

You don't want them getting locked in the coop all day in this weather, or locked out all night if you fear they will be eaten.

The junkyard antenna and Goodwill powerpacks don't take much time to get and install. If you have power in your coop, or can run an extension cord from the house I would think that would be your safest bet.

 

[boris159]

Hi All, months have past from my last post, life gets busy sometimes. I would try to catch up but got out of the habit of posting.
Ladysranti, if the Lego mockup doesn't work out, I can loan you my layer door and power supply.
Your DH and i could have it operational in an hour or less after I get there (from NW Barry Co.). BUT, how long would you need it if you used it?

 

[1muttsfan]

Kimmie, sorry to hear about your birds - it is so hard to loose them that way.

Keep in mind that predators are out to earn a living - if they get a good meal, they will come back looking for more. You just can not spend enough time watching your birds to protect them. And even if you kill that one, there are many, many others out there also looking for something to eat. Predators are smart and persistent at getting a meal because they have be to be to survive. It is not that difficult to predator-proof a coop, but you must close every gap and cover every opening with predator-proof material such as well-attached hardware cloth. Have someone go in the coop after dark and shine a flashlight around to find smaller openings.

 

[RaZ]

The splay leg chick has been hobbled for a day and a half now. I am thinking that I should remove the hobble today. Or is that too soon?

Key dates:
Hatched Monday night.
Brought here Tuesday afternoon.
Hobbled Tuesday evening.
Now is Thursday morning.

 

[Maah]

The splay leg chick has been hobbled for a day and a half now. I am thinking that I should remove the hobble today. Or is that too soon?

Key dates:
Hatched Monday night.
Brought here Tuesday afternoon.
Hobbled Tuesday evening.
Now is Thursday morning.

You should keep the hobbles on for about a week for splayed legs. How is the chick handling walking around in it? Is it putting it's weight on the feet and standing tall on the legs?

 

[taprock]

Stacy those magpies are adorable!

I tried to post yesterday with pictures from the Ipad but it wouldn't let me. Oh well I'll try later again today. Last night about 8 we got just enough sprinkles for this.


And then no more rain.
I'm done with work for the week and getting ready for camp next week. I still haven't secured my Pheasants in a way I am happy with. What I do to get them in at night, well there is no way DH will do when I am gone, so I have to rethink things.
I have found one WCB Polish chick who is super friendly. My only chick named so far, Beaker like from the muppets. I have about 14 birds to name. I only name them when I can tell them apart. I have to find special names for my Malay. I could go classical with Goliath or I was thinking Redneck with Bubba and Bertha, but having 2 girls throws it off.

 

[SillyChicken]

Built the goat stand last night. Have most of it done, but I need to make the head gate and fasten the feeder to it, also want to put some kind of padding on the platform. I used all recycled wood from pallets and scrap from the goat shed (pulled most of it out of the burn pile). It's solid and heavy! Need to paint or stain it too.

 

[RaZ]

You should keep the hobbles on for about a week for splayed legs. How is the chick handling walking around in it? Is it putting it's weight on the feet and standing tall on the legs?

The chick can move around and stand pretty well but sometimes has a difficult time regaining her upright position when the other chicks knock her over.
She eats and drinks well.

There were so many conflicting opinions for this condition. Information overload.

Thanks for a concise answer, Maah.

 

[Stacykins]

Built the goat stand last night. Have most of it done, but I need to make the head gate and fasten the feeder to it, also want to put some kind of padding on the platform. I used all recycled wood from pallets and scrap from the goat shed (pulled most of it out of the burn pile). It's solid and heavy! Need to paint or stain it too.

Awesome stand!