Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RTFchickens]

Trefoil, my peaches were done early September. But I picked my first and last tomatoes about a week ago when everyone els's were done a couple of months ago.
I'm new at gardening, well, chickens too for that matter. It's a learn as you go type thing I guess.
What type of peach tree is it?

 

[bluebirdnanny]

BALONEY on the "old man" thing! Whatever keeps you warm. If I could find a pair I'd be wearing them, I have to settle for my thin long johns now. If it weren't FIRST for most of my family being within one hour of me, then SECOND, my job..I wouldn't even be in Michigan. I swear, every year I tolerate the cold less. The deer are REALLY showing up in the yard near my blind. If I'd've sat last night, would've easily had a nice 6 pt. May sit this morning, assuming I can tolerate the cold. I will have my long johns, FLANNEL lined sweats, winter hunting gear on AND my fleece blanky! I fully anticipate we will get number 2 for the freezer before the weekend's end. Opa, good luck on that fishing!

I wish I could find some that fit. Always checking the racks at the Caring Place to see if any were donated that would fit me. Most all my clothes came from there or friends cleaning out their closets. Gone are the days I buy clothes. My family is all downstate: Shelby Township, Allen Park and Warren areas or out of state. Don't see them too often. Deer coming in yard here are usually overnight and once rooster starts crowing they move out before daylight. But do see them out my west window in soybean farmers field across street. But can't hunt them there. I'd be happy with one in the freezer.

my version of peking duck.. had this for supper last night with hoisen sauce and homemade chinese pancake.. fresh organic duck yum.. Bluebird I am from Oscoda.. Trefoil - millington is a little distance from me, I have some rouen drake and hens 6 mos old here i am selling for a friend, she wants $10. each..

Ah not tooo awful far then. I am in Montmorency County. Maybe will meet one day.

Ya know, RaZ, I actually have one of those still in the box in the back shed...but you all must have better luck. Put one up as storage for firewood, lawn tractor & was trashed in one winter...some of those winds we get whipping thru the farmer's field are wicked... But, yes...I am gonna think about this. Never thought about setting it up for this purpose...kinda liking it...plus the thing is just sitting in shed, bought & paid for & taking up space!! I, too, am thinking snow load may not be too bad since my 2x4s are only 3' apart... But that portable garage deal along with the run...boy they sure would have some nice non-"powdered sugar " play space!

I thought about those but with the gale type winds from the West off the farmers field across the street it would be gone within three weeks!! Also the only thing that stopped me from doing a greenhouse for gardening or chickens.

That looks so nice and warm and they have plenty of room to play and frolic. Ok, I got it, I want precious kitty's coop w/this garage for a run off the side of it. Ya it will never happen, but I can keep dreaming. lol That much room, I'd be in there playing all day with them.

So would I. In fact I am in my almost finished woods style coop every day. Freeze on the way to coop but in just a sweatshirt and perfectly comfortable in the back of the coop! Even without the monitor windows installed yet.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

Today was a great day on the river even though we didn't get any fish. The water level was extremely low and would be nigh on impossible to navigate with anything other than a jet boat. Water flow was minimal so the lures didn't have much action. We did have a moment of excitement when we hook one large fish but it was off before we could get the rod out of the rod holder. Still I was a nice stretch of river with only a few small cottages to detract from the view. We had just about every type of weather imaginable, sun, clouds, rain, sleet, snow, wind, but still was an enjoyable day.

Snow load is something that definitely needs to be considered when building a run. A good friend lost his entire flock when the snow that accumulated on the plastic 1" mesh that that covered his run sagged enough to suffocate his birds. You wouldn't think that snow would accumulate on 1" mesh but it will. He was so disheartened that he gave me all of the very costly mesh.

When I constructed my run I didn't want a repeat of his tragedy to my 16'x16' run has 16 rafters terminating on a single center pole. I have had snow accumulations of over 2' without any problems.

Lovin these coops, they are beautiful, wishin I was more creative. lol

 

[Opa]

Cold, dark, windy. Probably the way many of our morning will start out for the forseeable future. Winter is beginning and for many new chicken keepers it almost seems overwhelming. However, I can assure you that as long as your birds are kept where their coop is dry, well ventilated, and draft free it will be easier on them then you think.

Ventilation is critical to preventing both ammonia and moisture. Ammonia buildup can cause respiratory problems but can be lessened by having a droppings board that will allow you to keep the coop cleaner and drier. Excessive moisture can lead to frostbite but substantially lessened if you have good ventilation.

Cold doesn't affect the birds as much as many folks think. While some folks use round poles or even tree branches for roosts, I would advise against it. While chickens often roost in trees, their ability to stay warm is lessened when grasping to roost. They constantly must work to maintain their balance, their legs and feet are exposed, and they cannot fully expand their feathers.

A flat roost like a 2x4 on the flat is a much better choice. It allows them to lower their bodies over their feet and then expand their feathers. The air spaces between the feathers are what create the insulation that keeps them warm. The roost needs to be placed so that it is draft free. Drafts disrupt the feather placement thereby robbing the heat from the birds.

Ideally waters should be such as to not allow a birds wattle or comb to get wet. A shallow waterer is much better to prevent this than a deep one. This is why commercial waterers have such a narrow opening.

Heating a coop is totally unnecessary and actually causes more problems. A chickens droppings contain both feces and urine. In cold weather it will freeze quickly on a droppings board until you can remove it. If the coop is heated it will give off moisture that creates problems for the birds. While I understand that it is easier to provide water is a heated coop I strongly advise against it. If fact if you can I would suggest never watering you birds in the coop. I keep my heated waterers out in the run to avoid the problems associated with water spillage.

I can assure you from my many years of experience winter will be much more difficult for you than for your birds.

 

[RaZ]

For people who have been around this thread for a year or more you may notice that we often cover the same topics again and again. And usually those topics are seasonal. I think that shows that more people are getting involved with chicken (and duck, turkey, guinnea, etc.) keeping.

It is nice to see the more experienced folk helping out the new people. We have some pretty good experts here.

 

[RTFchickens]

I know that I am new to chicken owning, (and ducks too) and greatly appreciate all of the advice from the more experienced poultry owners! We are getting ready for winter like the rest, and its nice to hear what has and has not worked for others.

 

[preciouskitty]

For people who have been around this thread for a year or more you may notice that we often cover the same topics again and again. And usually those topics are seasonal.  I think that shows that more people are getting involved with chicken (and duck, turkey, guinnea, etc.) keeping. 

It is nice to see the more experienced folk helping out the new people. We have some pretty good experts here.

I truly don't know what I would do without this Michigan thread. While there is a plethora of info out there, it really makes a difference getting advice (particularly anything climate-wise) from people in the same general area.

RaZ, pretty sure I am gonna be in GC Wednesday .. Think I may be able to help you out with some fresh eggs. Will PM you later when I know details of what the day will entail & maybe we can meet somewhere...

 

[RaZ]

RaZ, pretty sure I am gonna be in GC Wednesday .. Think I may be able to help you out with some fresh eggs. Will PM you later when I know details of what the day will entail & maybe we can meet somewhere...

That would be terrific!
Hopefully I'll have my truck back by then. If not, you are welcome to come here for coffee.
I better start to tidy up, just in case.

 

[RaZ]

http://www.americanhogwash.org/

They are making a movie about the Baker's fight with the state over raising heritage hogs. Watch the trailer.

Direct link to the trailer:

 

[mara1]

I know that I am new to chicken owning, (and ducks too) and greatly appreciate all of the advice from the more experienced poultry owners! We are getting ready for winter like the rest, and its nice to hear what has and has not worked for others.

x2