Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[fuzzybutt love]

Quote:Originally Posted by gladahmae They do. At my work, they offer ins. but the one I qualify for (since I don't work at least 30hrs every week) doesn't meet the federal requirements, so I'd have to get something ELSE to go with it.



Crap. Where do you get the info on the federal requirements? I'll do some digging tonight on the "net" too. My plan probably isn't good, then.

 

[EverMystique1]

Sad start to my day. My son woke me with the news that he thought his cat was dead. There was something between the chimney and house. I checked. Yes, our adorable 3-legged kitty had been mauled by something. He died right next to a nest of about a dozen eggs, which means our pullets from the first spring hatch have started to lay.

We keep our breeding flock as free rangers, and the egg flock is locked up in coop and run.As soon as I opened the run door to go in to feed my layers, one of my breeders (not sure if a mama or a pullet) darned near ran me over to get inside the 'safe house'. So, whatever killed the cat has scared the heck out of my birds, too.

 

[preciouskitty]

Sad start to my day. My son woke me with the news that he thought his cat was dead. There was something between the chimney and house. I checked. Yes, our adorable 3-legged kitty had been mauled by something. He died right next to a nest of about a dozen eggs, which means our pullets from the first spring hatch have started to lay.

We keep our breeding flock as free rangers, and the egg flock is locked up in coop and run.As soon as I opened the run door to go in to feed my layers, one of my breeders (not sure if a mama or a pullet) darned near ran me over to get inside the 'safe house'. So, whatever killed the cat has scared the heck out of my birds, too.

Oh, Ever, I am so sorry

 

[ladyrsanti]

Progress on the coop (before I started working on it yesterday - there is now board on the wall with the three windows). Slow due to the weather and other factors. My chickens are not happy about being stuck indoors. I let them out during the rainstorm we had and they stayed in the dry barn for the most part. One disappeared early on though and luckily turned up at bedtime. I have no idea where she went for so long but it just strengthened my resolve to keep them locked up no matter how much it pains me to do it. During my search for her in the cornfield, I found a set of clean chicken bones in a clearing, from one of my other lost hens. Then I crossed several rows and came face to face with one of my barn cats. I even came away with a couple of more golf balls. The field is a labyrinth right now. You never know what you'll run into. People... CHANGE in the maze. Once the corn gets harvested I might let them out. At least then they can see a predator coming and I can see the hens enough to round them up.



The robotics team is getting off the ground too. Our first real meeting is this afternoon. The school is cooperating and word is spreading around the community. I'm not sure they understand it fully yet but we're getting there. They hear Legos and they remember that community ed features a Legos workshop for kids but it's TOTALLY different.

 

[naglady]

Sorry ever,

coop is coming along nicely..

 

[RTFchickens]

Ever, sorry to hear of your loss! I hope your son is ok. It's always hard to lose a pet.
Lady, coop looks awesome. I wish that was going up in my back yard! We have a broody, but we are not ready for chicks right now.

 

[preciouskitty]

Quote:
Coop is looking absolutely AWESOME! SO glad to hear that the cooperation from the school for the robotics team is more positive than a few weeks ago! Of to go donate blood..so glad Red Cross comes here to work, makes is SO much easier to donate a several times per year!!

 

[RTFchickens]

Precious, just a heads up:
There was a big study done about anemia and blood donors. I think it was on mlive. It's now recommended that you take an iron supplement when you donate. It was a very good article. I will look for it and try to post a link. Good for you for donating!!!
I'm not an eligible donor, but I do cheer for those who can!

 

[chickflick]

Sorry about your cat!

 

[lbrykowski2011]

I was looking on Amazon at the heated dog water bowls for the winter for my chickens and ducks, this is my 1st winter and love all the advice on here. They only run between $15 and $25. Does anyone use them and recommend them? Don't look like they would use much energy. Thinking of going to Birch run this weekend for the Fall fowl festival I read about. Has anyone gone to that one? Do they have alot that are for sale? Thanks