Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

putting suet in net bags, some do it, I worry about them pecking off and eating pieces of the plastic netting, may cause problems

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

@snowflake

We think he is Golden x Brittany Spaniel. Just a good ol' Perfect Mutt!

 

[Opa]

While still not 100% I am starting to feel better. The rash and the accompanying itch have started to subside so hopefully in just a few more days it will be gone. While I don't think that I am capable of dragging a deer out of the woods I do intend to go hunting tomorrow and will have to impose upon David to carry my weight. I guess this is just one more example of how life is truly a circle.

Today is probably the best fishing day we are going to have this month and I had intended to be at the launch in Flatrock when the sun came up. However, my farmer friend called asking for me to accompany him to his attorney. He is taking every precaution possible to prevent his nephew from getting anything beyond what his uncle wants him to have. Being there for a friend can't always be convenient so fishing will have to be delayed until next year

My laying flock of 8 ISA browns and 6 black sex links are giving me 8 to 10 eggs each day which is exactly what the much larger flock had been giving me. So I guess eliminating the older birds was the right decision. Now if the 5 Welsummer and 3 bantam Vorwerk hens will start laying again.

 

[snowflake]

While still not 100% I am starting to feel better. .
from getting anything beyond what his uncle wants him to have. Being there for a friend can't always be convenient so fishing will have to be delayed until next year

My laying flock of 8 ISA browns and 6 black sex links are giving me 8 to 10 eggs each day which is exactly what the much larger flock had been giving me. So I guess eliminating the older birds was the right decision. Now if the 5 Welsummer and 3 bantam Vorwerk hens will start laying again.

perhaps it is to soon to go fishing any how, I can't help remembering the fishing trip Bob told us about last yr. almost didn't make it back

do you add extra light?


Holly ours is St Bernard and Australian Sheppard, markings and collar very much alike

 

[uchytil]

He is missed......

Sorry for your loss Bob.

 

[preciouskitty]

Opa,
GOOD LUCK tomorrow!! Get that deer! Heck, I almost ALWAYS need help dragging mine Especially that 200lb buck a few weeks ago!

I do not know what I am gonna do when my Rottie goes..this is my FIRST dog; pretty sure I am gonna freak; he is going on 11y.o. &, I think, getting a bit of dementia...

LOVE the Picard & #1 pic! LOL!

 

[RaZ]

We have these same extra light and auxiliary heat discussions each year and it may seem redundant to some but keep in mind that we get new people all the time and it is new to them.

So here is my take on extra light...
Unless you are need need of extra eggs for sale or some other practical need, it is fine to give your hens a rest period. They probably just molted and their bodies need time to recuperate. The idea that chickens need 14 hours of light each day to lay is based on production battery operations. Keep in mind that those breeds have been bred for the sole purpose of egg production. Those hens are confined and fed strict formulated diets to maximize egg output. Their effective lifespan is about 18 months then they are culled. Our backyard flocks are in a whole different category. We tend to keep them much longer than a year and a half.

Auxiliary heat...
The chickens don't need it. We heat because we think they do or we feel guilty about them being out in the cold. If your coop is well made, draft-free and dry, the chickens will be fine. Adding a heat source can be more damaging than you think. There have been nearly a dozen coop fires reported since September. Improper use of heat lamps, space heaters, extension cords and what not are the usual causes of fires. If you think that you must add heat, make sure that you are using a high quality heat lamp that is triple secured so chickens can't knock it down. Space heaters, propane furnaces and the like should not be used. Heck, you shouldn't even smoke in your coop.

Water...
Fresh water should be provided every day. It is easier with a small number of birds but it should not be a problem with dozens either.
With a small flock, you can have a couple of extra founts on hand that you can cycle in and out of the coop as you check your birds each day. If you have electricity in your coup, a good thermo-cube will work. A cookie tin warmer is good too. Just make sure that your wiring, outlets, plugs and cords are secure against curious and bored chickens.

The run...
Chickens will come out in the cold and snow if they want to. Provide them with a roof to get under when it rains or snows. Provide a wind block such as some straw bales or tarps.

Enjoy your snow birds.

 

[Living the Simple Life]

...

My holiday was spoiled by car troubles. Jimmy i just bought died out on the way home; we originally thought fuel problem but looks like it's an electrical...... so trying to decide whether it's worth getting it to a shop or not. No symptoms, just sometimes it starts right up and sometimes not. No miss, no sluggishness, nada. Just either starts or don't!  It died out because the negative cable got loose somehow; so i bought a new battery hoping somehow it was a stripped terminal. But two separate issues i think.

Sounds like what our truck was doing...random times that it wouldn't start, wait a little while and would start right up. Next time would start with no problem. We finally had determined that is was an issue with the chipped key/security system. Broke down and took it to the dealership...only to find out it was the ignition solenoid...like a $30 fix if we had done it ourselves. GAAAHHH! Had someone at work have a similar issue with her Jeep Cherokee...she kept getting stranded because it wouldn't start. Dealership changed this and that, not fixed. I mentioned our experience, she had her son change the solenoid...problem fixed. It is worth a shot on your Jimmy.

HollyDuckFarmer - I got the pink apron at Chickenstock....I gave it to my daughter and she loves, loves, loves it...wears it all the time. I will have to post a picture of her wearing it while baking her fair projects. I would love another one (just in a big girl size!)

I finally got caught up on about two weeks worth of posts! Whew!! Sounds like lots going on in everyone's lives. Sorry for the losses of birds/pets. That is always rough, especially losing a dog
Glad for those who had good thanksgivings....our was okay (food was terrible...dh's family can not cook....you seriously don't mash potatoes with the skins on using the cooking water ) Desserts were great (that I made!)

DH was gifted 4 ISA browns from a friend. They are happily producing 3-4 eggs per day..really making those guineas look like they are not earning their keep. None of the guinea keets survived :/. Of the seven eggs, three didn't produce, one didn't make it out of the shell, one got out but died pretty quickly, one mama squished flat, and the last one made it out and seemed healthy, active and alert. He died about three days later. I think he just got too cold...I don't find Chris to be the most attentive mother...she is definitely not the sharpest bird..but she's pretty. We thought we would take a chance and let her sit the eggs this year, even though we thought it was too late in the season. If she goes broody again in the fall, we won't let her sit on them.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Hope everyone has gotten all their prep done for winter. We are in pretty good shape at this point...here is the southern part of the state they are predicting snow for Sunday night.

 

[Trefoil]

Does anyone living within 30 miles of Flint have any 2 week old or younger chicks. I only got 1 silkie to hatch from my ebay eggs and need a companion. It doesn't really matter what kind. I would like to buy one or maybe 2, for company.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

While still not 100% I am starting to feel better.  The rash and the accompanying itch have started to subside so hopefully in just a few more days it will be gone.  While I don't think that I am capable of dragging a deer out of the woods I do intend to go hunting tomorrow and will have to impose upon David to carry my weight.  I guess this is just one more example of how life is truly a circle. 

Today is probably the best fishing day we are going to have this month and I had intended to be at the launch in Flatrock when the sun came up.  However, my farmer friend called asking for me to accompany him to his attorney.  He is taking every precaution possible to prevent his nephew from getting anything beyond what his uncle wants him to have.  Being there for a friend can't always be convenient  so fishing will have to be delayed until next year

My laying flock of 8 ISA browns and 6 black sex links are giving me 8 to 10 eggs each day which is exactly what the much larger flock had been giving me.  So I guess eliminating the older birds was the right decision.  Now if the 5 Welsummer and 3 bantam Vorwerk hens will start laying again.

Where did you get Vorwerk hens Opa?! I really want a few to add to my flock by cant find any