Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[NovaAman]

. . . . & getting ready for nitey-nite :

Pretty girls.

RaZ, steps look great.

Coop makes me drool in my imaginings on how it's too look when its done.

 

[gaitngirl]

Nova - i just saw Phoenix for sale here in Mid-MI on CL. All white, 2 roosters and a hen. I was surprised to see them but they were pretty.

On nicer days will they still be able to free range? The hanging cabbage/lettuce, squash, and a varied diet will probably help keep them busy.

 

[preciouskitty]

only one green egg today & zero brown out of 5 laying hens (+ 2 pullets that havent laid yet & 1 that got kiled last week) .
So i guess chickens need a day off from work once in a while too
:- )

Mine took a break the day before yesterday. Had been getting 8-10/day out 10 layers. Only 5 that day.
Yesterday got 7. BUT, pretty sure Partrdige, my EE, has made a nest in the woods. She disappears for about an hour lately, and I caught her coming out yesterday, so pretty sure I technically had 8, just can't find that green one
Will find out today as they are all gonna be locked up til 2pm .

 

[Opa]

Another day in the life of this old rooster is underway and as I await the sun I can't help but wonder what will come with it. Life certainly is filled with many unexpected things, and what determines their outcome is always based upon our attitudes as we face them.

This past week one of my cousins has been visiting and we have sure enjoyed her being here. Sadly, her father was killed during WWII and through Granny's memories she has learned more about the man she never knew. Most of her visit we have spent relaxing and enjoying each other's company. One day we dehydrated a 1/2 bushel of apples for her to take home with her. This past Thursday we spent the day stopping at the fish ladders on the Grand River. We had to go all the way downstream to the 6th Street dam in Grand Rapids before we finally located fish. It was a pleasant day for a drive and I avoided the expressways as much as possible. Watching the salmon and steelhead attempting to negotiate the ladder was something neither she or Granny had ever seen.

She will be returning to St Louis this evening and we will hate to see her go. However, this coming Saturday another cousin will be arriving. She is Granny's sister daughter and Granny sure feels blessed that she also wants to spend time with her.

This past Wednesday I met with an orthopedic surgeon who explain that the source of my leg and hip pain was caused by inadequate blood flow and he scheduled me for further testing with a vein specialist. While not happy to hear his diagnosis at least I was taking action to hopefully correct my problems.

On Friday I underwent extensive testing and was told that my blood flow was excellent. Far better than would normally be expected of someone my age and with a history of smoking. After review all of the test results they informed me that they felt the problem was skeletal and perhaps was pinched nerves in my lower back. They sent the results back to the orthopedic surgeon as well as my general practitioner for further evaluation. Hopefully they will come up with an answer.

For many years we would include my old farmer friend in family get to gathers. However, when his nephew started becoming more involved I pulled back as to not place the old man in a position of having to decide who to spend holidays with. However, since the nephew has shown his true colors I've decided to go back to including my friend in our family events. This past Saturday I invited him to join us for dinner. My son David and his wife Amy were coming and I was frying a big mess of fish. I had suggested he come around 3 and that dinner would be about 5 pm. He arrived shortly after 12 and stayed until almost 7. He told me the reason he came early was he knew I wouldn't mind and he also didn't want to be home in case the nephew should happen to come out.

During his visit he told my cousin how important our friendship has been to him and since his nephew has gotten impatient and greedy he has met with a lawyer and changed his will so that those who have truly been there for him will benefit. When he told her that I would be a rich man when he dies I had to interrupt. His friendship for the past 35 years has made me rich and his death will only make me poorer.

 

[taprock]

Tap, how did the Beaks 'n Books meet and greet go?

I only ended up with about 3 kids attending, not sure on adults. The kids had a great time and I was able to let them hold the birds. It was disappointing although I had other kids the next day tell me they were supposed to be there and something came up. There was a reporter there who told me it was a great idea and that they would be doing a story this week that he hoped would bring more interest. He talked to me and the kids and took lots of pictures so we'll see. I also have two kids signed up for the first day of reading.

SO, here's the thing about this where I need some other advice... I have NEVER locked birds up all year in a coop. EVER. What kinds of things do you people who do have the birds coop bound all winter give the birds to keep them from being... bored? In the run where the birds are usually, they have a lot of space for each individual grouping... AND leaves to scratch through that I scatter meal worms, dried crickets, scratch and corn to keep them busy, as well as fresh lettuces and hanging cabbages. BUT they can move around, the phoenix are going to be stuck in the 4x8. I know that's plenty of room for 3 birds, but we are talking about birds going from acres of foraging space to 32 sq feet, with 48 sq feet run space underneath... They will get all those same treats and such, but will that be enough do you think? OR am I over thinking this.

This is what I love about this forum. No where else will you hear concern over a chicken being stuck in their coop, because that's where they belong! I feel the same way Nova and that is why with all the risk I still free range. A couple things I've done for winter and seen. Get one of those corn cob holders for squirrels, they love it, Bake up a flock block, give them hiding spots, a washtub full of sand is fun and keeps them clean. I have also seen some elaborate designs for perches and swings. Mine are pretty simple since my son builds them.

Had a great bow shoot this Saturday. I did horrible but it was brain malfunction not shooting skill. I messed with my pins and was using the wrong ones (I shot last night and did great with no one around!) But it was beautiful weather and we had 21 people out. We ended the day with venison and moose meatballs. It looks beautiful again today!

 

[chickwhispers]

Quote:
I stopped over at Mrs. Brown's this evening and gave her some eggs. They don't eat eggs, but they do use them for baked goods. I brought the eggs as a bribe to "harvest" apples from the trees they have on the corner of her property. They haven't done anything with the trees for as long as I have lived here, and that's 4.5 years. SO... they just go. Anyway, they are being over run with prickly vine, and there is a lot of dead on the trees. Anyway, I couldn't reach half the apples with out a step ladder, so I will go in the morning and get some when there is actually enough light. Now I have a question. I am taking my lopers over, and gloves, and I am going to get those vines off, and then cut them done to the ground, and clear it all out. Can I cut off the dead branches right now? Or should I wait for spring to do it. The trees have not been sprayed or treated in any form for years. I can get a picture of the trees tomorrow, and you apple people can give me some advice on them. I am just going to do it for her, since she is elderly (80's) and pluck apples down for her tomorrow as well.

The apples are green, very sweet and very crisp.

NovaAman: I would cut the dead out now. If let go it can cause more dead branches and limbs. Just be careful not to cut into too much green since pruning stimulates new growth, which would be very tender for winter and subject to more damage. Here are a couple of links (One fe=rom Mich State University and another) to help cin the care of the trees:
www.msue.msu.edu/objects/.../Pruning%20Fruit%20Trees.pdf/ And www.fedcoseeds.com/trees/renovating.htm

 

[gladahmae]

OK. this is good to read. ^^^ I just found an apple tree in the edge of the woods on our south property line that has some VERY tasty apples on it, but a TON of dead wood. I'll see if i can get my husband out there with the chainsaw to get the bulk of the dead stuff removed this week.

 

[chickwhispers]

We have an old apple and an old pear that are probably going on 25 years from the original owner and both are in need of maintenance. I hope we can get to them as soon as the fruit is done and leaves are gone, and then to finish in spring. There was so much fruit on them this year!

 

[chickflick]

Good Morning all! Welcome to all the newbies!! Hope you enjoy your stay here.

Sam, have you gone to doctor about your thumb and wrist problem?? Weren't they giving you problems, also?

 

[chickwhispers]

Thank you chickflick for the welcome!