Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RTFchickens]

Thanks for the info Our Roost! I will check it out!!!

 

[RaZ]

RTF! Just bought a pro series model 4200. Auto turn and the whole works. $125.00 Holds 42 eggs. Only weakness may be the guages. Check it out on line.Family farm and home or Tractors supply might carry them. Great xmas gift!

It never hurts to have a back up thermometer / hygrometer or two.
I found this little gem at Meijer's. It was on sale for $2.99. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but consistency is more important if you use it in an incubator.

 

[naglady]

Raz that is a awesome find,

i just use the still air incubator, will start incubating again a month or so before easter. I want to use my leghorn hen x ee roo.. wonder is if i would get a great layer that lays green or blue eggs and if they will start laying at 16wks like their mom.. anyone know if that would be a good mix.

thats a nice snow plow, boy the fun you could have with that. a friend came and plowed our driveway..

 

[Candy442]

Me too...power baking and candy making this weekend. Have to get the final candy done and then mini coconut bread loafs to send to parents in N.C.

Glad to hear chickwhispers that your five are hanging in there.

I know I will be in big trouble if I get an incubator.... Our plan is to let nature hatch a few if we are lucky to have any of the girls we have become broody.

I love the snow when I don't have to drive around in it! Beautiful to look at.

Preciouskitty, I hear that... I miss my babies and they are very content to just hang out in the coop in snowy weather, but I will keep you posted on my fodder project!

 

[Trefoil]

Does anyone notice way less food and water consumption right now?

I have, especially with my ducks and geese. It worries me because now is when they need extra food to keep warm ( or at least that's my excuse for chowing down all the time).

Does anyone on here use the women's Berne lined bib overalls? Do they hold up okay, and do they shrink at all? I'm thinking of buying some so my behind doesn't feel like a block of ice when I come in from chicken chores.

I have the berne flannel lined jeans. They didn't shrink. What I have found very effective, as I tend to sit/kneel on the ground, is to wear a pair of uninsulated overalls as a top layer. With flannel lined jeans and a hoodie its good to about 25º, after that I wear a winter coat as well. Its my hands that I can't keep warm. MMaxdeals.com sells the berne insulated bibs, but you really want to watch their service charge and shipping. I usually get better deals from http://www.sierratradingpost.com/[email protected]&codes-processed=true
if you sign up for their email deals, they are a little annoyingly often, but have some really good deals. Good luck and if you know of some waterproof WARM gloves, let us know.

It never hurts to have a back up thermometer / hygrometer or two.
I found this little gem at Meijer's. It was on sale for $2.99. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but consistency is more important if you use it in an incubator.

That looks great, I have a hard time keeping one that works.
I put any cracked eggs out by my "feed tree" that I have in the middle of the field out back. This time of year wild animals need all the help they can get and they don't seem to mind that they are frozen. I used to worry about potentially drawing predators nearer but it doesn't seem to make any difference.

 

[RTFchickens]

Our Roost, I just looked up that incubator. Does it come with a humidifier too? I didn't see that listed in the description...

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Even with my camper coop it's not a very long visit. I need some more straw, but..... really it's just plain nasty out there. Only bonus is that the two new ones i bought got tamed up real quick due to it! When i hug on them and put their head under my chin / arm they snuggle right in

I am the oddball in that i like my roos tame too, so it is making me really happy that he has quickly learned to trust me. I wish i had some kids to "borrow" so i could socialize him better! He seems to be ok pecking around at our feet, so def not scared too much. New girl was trying to lay an egg today, whoopie! But on the downside she is an egg eater, so i have been trying to take the eggs and leave the golf balls. New pullet, she'll learn. She is a pant leg puller, too, so i am happy to have good friendly blood to add to the bunch.

Month old is likely a roo, go figure. Two babies made it this year, both the roos. One porcelain d'uccle and now the red and blue easter egger.

 

[1muttsfan]

TSC has some Schmidt work gloves, they look like canvas fabric and have a cuff that comes up way past the wrists, that are supposed to be waterproof. They have worked very well so far this winter, nice and warm.

I have worn Carharts for many years, they are extremely durable.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I do have tons of hatching notes in my signature link. It has how to check the accuracy of thermometers and hydrogometers; and other stuff. I did the "dry" hatch with the cut off egg carton, was very pleased.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/fuzzys-notes

 

[snowflake]

Wow been a few days since i have been on here, been doing some power holiday baking, i think i have been on the christmas cookie diet. which isnt good

Sorry about the dog attacks..

Pearl is adorable

My daughter Emily turned 12 yesturday.. she is my youngest of two..

Chickens are doing good, i been getting lots of eggs... between 8 - 11 everyday out of 14 hens.. eggs sales are really high.. everyone wants eggs. and want 4 to 5 doz at a time. I am selling them $2.50 doz.
the only problem i have is the poop is frozen and piling up on the board on top of the nest boxes.. and i cant scrape it off. to hard.. thinking of bringing in a hanging heated lamp and closing it off for a little bit to thaw it some so i can get it out of there. any ideas thats easier..


Lots of snow here, still coming down, i would be surprised if the kids have school tomorrow

I am using empty feed bags on my poop board, split them open and fold them to fit. pull them out and dump the poo off, works great,