Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[MsChickenMomma]

According to the weather man, it's supposed to really warm up this week!

 

[dwalters]

I would say nows a good time for July weather. Only a few weeks late. Good for all of us with chicks due.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

...
(I have a habit of over researching things to the point where i freak myself out a bit with all the possibilities and things that could go wrong)

The one drawback to Google!

 

[EverMystique1]

Ugh, my chickens are laying terribly.  I have thirteen layers and six pullets at the point of lay with a grand total of six eggs a day, max.  I'd say it was the heat but there is none.  I'd say the food is scarce but I fill two feeders every day.  Water?  Two sources.  Free range, 8 hrs a day.  Nesting boxes?  10.  Egg eaters?  I've had a video camera in the coop for the last three days and nothing.  Two hens lay soft-shelled eggs on the roost despite oyster shell offered AND ground egg shell in their feed.  One is raising chicks.  One is perpetually broody.  One I haven't seen an egg from in who knows how long.  The hens are only in their second season.  They should be laying fine.  I just don't get it.  When I have an abundance of eggs I can't handle them all and when I need an abundance, I can't get them to lay.  There's no reasoning with these ladies.

Not having that issue right now. I have 8 dozen in the fridge, and 3 need washed, boxed, and added to the collection. I havent had any requests from coworkers for a couple weeks, we've easily devoured at least 3 dozen, have given away 6 dozen... apparently, they are currently happy birds.

Hope you get some better production soon.

 

[Farmerboy16]

My friend says the same thing about her horses/foals.  If the mare delivers early or on time, filly.  If they're late... colt.  She says that stinking mother nature must need the extra time to grow the boy parts.  LOL.  Unfortunately, it's usually spot on.  Not sure if it's the same for cows. 

Bull calves are always bigger than the heifer calves when they are born. So, the males just need a little more time to grow than the females. Still no baby yet....

 

[Opa]

If a person lives a rich and full life they have a lot of experiences to learn from. With that passage of time hopefully wisdom accumulates that you can share with others. Having lived as long as I have occasionally someone will call upon me for advice and I have offered advice based on those years of experience.

What I sometimes forget is that one should follow their own advice. Case in point: I always advocate culling any birds that are substandard, weak, or exhibiting any undesirable traits. Yet when two Welsummer pullets hatched back in mid June and were less than perfect I didn't cull them. While their faults weren't extreme they didn't thrive as well as their fellow hatchlings.

On Thursday apparently they were injured by a flockmate and the appearance of blood triggered a blood lust frenzy. Not a pretty sight and both birds died as a result.

 

[Jake Levi]

We dont do our flocks any favors when we allow the weak and substandard ones to continue. Thats just defying survival rules, it will backfire. Always, in one way or another.

Still waiting for the first tomato , not likely to get any now, still too cold for blossoms to set fruit.

I have a few eggs in the incubator, when hatched they will be inside an extra week then go into the outside brooder pen. Havent had a night yet above 60.

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Is anyone interested in a two year old Rhode Island Red rooster? He's free to a good home.

I really would like to have him gone before snow flies. He doesn't do well with other roosters, and has become quite the bully to my other RIR rooster. He does great with protecting the hens, and he does great with keeping the hens in the yard while free ranging and safe from predators. He would do best in a place where he can either be the only rooster, or have his own coop with his own flock of hens.

He has never shown any sign of aggression towards people and he does great with children and other animals such as dogs, cats, ducks, goats, etc.

He would also be the perfect rooster if you are a breeder or want to hatch eggs. Last summer we placed 15 eggs under a broody hen and every single one was fertile.

If you are interested in him or know of anyone who might want him, feel free to send me a private message.

 

[Farmerboy16]

Bella my cow finally gave birth today at 9:15 am! Its a girl!!!! Pictures to come soon!

 

[ladyrsanti]

Wh00t! Yes, pictures please and get that milk flowing!