Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[1muttsfan]

Kimmie and snowflake, are your sure your birds have not slipped the tendon in one hock? They will have one normal forward-pointing leg and foot and one that looks "backwards"

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Quote: fuzzybutt love I, also, read and heard that vaccs for Meriks do not prevent it but protect against it. Not to say that protection is not importaint as well.

 

[Trefoil]

Not sure if you got an answer about getting chicks back in the coop a night... I always kept the chickens closed up in the coop for several days, then when I started letting them out, they would go back in by themselves. Had you tried that? What about feeding them in the coop at dusk?

They've been in their coop for months. And I feed them in their coop.

 

[Trefoil]

Trefoil, are they sharing the coop with other birds already? If not, rig a temporary pen to keep them confined close to the coop until they've got it figured out after a few days confined to the coop. This is what I did with both sets of brooder babies that I have had, and it works great.

I can do that. Thanks

 

[theron]

Just had our last batch of chicks hatch for 2012! About 20 little serama chicks. Incubators will be turned off and given a good cleaning once a few of the stragglers finish hatching. Can't wait until 2013 especially with the sebastopol geese and seramas!

 

[laura877]

laura, didn't you say you are celebrating you anniversary that week end?? the last thing you need is a bunch of stranger hanging out at your place.


edited by staff to remove reference to private dispute

After 42 yrs I think I need some company to help celebrate. The more the merrier.

 

[laura877]

I didn't mean to imply. It was my non-answer answer. I just wanted to make sure your question was seen. They get lost so easily. Plus, I am interested as well. My flock of 12 was from a hatchery and I want the same as you, a lovely assortment of egg color. So far one of my three hatchery Easter Eggers is laying brown eggs and it's VERY disappointing. The other two have yet to lay so the jury is out on them. I really would like some Black Copper Marans next year but I've heard conflicting things. On one side, I hear that the hatchery version often times lays a normal light brown egg and on the other I've been warned that local breeders' birds are often infected with disease. Not sure how to proceed.

I've got some young roosters that are ameracuana crosses and probably going to be golden duckwing patterns. If you want one you can have it. I have one with green legs and one with blue /gray legs. I hate to butcher them when I know their colors are going to be outstanding.




Father is in center of pic, son in the background. These other 2 or 3 young roosters coming up will robably be the same flashy golden duckwing.

 

[laura877]

I found a new (old) source of chicken feed.
It is Chap's in Livonia at 5 Mile Rd and Middlebelt. They have been there for years even though I forget they are there.
I was going to go to TSC but thought I'd check to see if they have stuff for chickens

They have crumble, pellet, scratch, corn and other stuff like oats and what not. Right here in the city! There must be a market for it, right? Plus it saved me a 60 mile round-trip drive.

How much to youpay for layer? I buy mine from a farmer in Lapeer County and I think I pay 11.50 for 50 bs.

 

[laura877]

I take it that they were hot processed. (?)
I did some refrigerator pickles from a M.E.N. recipe. They are only OK in my opinion. They taste alright but aren't very crisp. I don't know if is was the cold method or if I had mediocre cukes to start with.

I got a recipe from a niece for a pickle called a sun pickle. They were some of the crispist pickles I've had in years. I can give you the recipe tomorrow if you are intersted. They are made by layering ingredients and then putting them outsdie in the sun for 3 days.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Good Morning everyone!
Ive been reading along, havent posted in a bit- but prayers for those who need them, and hugs to those with losses and not well birds.

Step daughters wedding is Saturday, kids back to school on Tuesday..

My daughters' car has to be worked on, then she will be driving her and her sister to school every day-

This year shall be very interesting.

Today is my husbands birthday, and the first football game of the season at the highschool. Makes for a very busy day. I dont mind sitting in the bleachers on these evenings though. Its when its so cold and rainy/snowy that I hate that my kids are involved in sports. Other than that, I dont mind. My daughter is in color-guard, so we are at all the games.

Sam-
coffee's ready. Help yourself!