Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[greyhatch]

And where does this fascinating event occur i am in sw mi

 

[RaZ]

SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2014 is the date that's been reserved - location is Delta Mills park in Lansing.

Attendance thread is https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/847882/michigan-chickenstock-2014-attendance

Food thread is in my signature.

 

[RaZ]

I think I might have missed a food post.
Please look at https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/michigan-chicken-stock-2014-pot-luck-food-sign-up and let me know if I have missed anyone.

 

[preciouskitty]

@NovaAman

So sorry about Strutter

@SillyChicken

Gorgeous. Love it all framed up; even if the frame is temporary. I am sure there will be PLENTY of bids

 

[chickwhispers]

@NovaAman So sorry about your roo

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@SillyChicken Great drawing! Love it!

@RaZ - Thanks for the helpful explanations and all of your efforts!

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@fuzzybutt love - Thanks too for the info and your point by point breakdown was very good!

And Chocolate is YUMMM!

 

[taprock]

Nova -

Silly I love how your drawing turned out, and I have always been partial to Yaks, very under rated animals.

We are back to 4 degrees this morning, ugg! The nice weather on Saturday turned the back field into a highway. One of the popular trails goes across our back field. We saw over 300 sled on Saturday. We also had a bald eagle back yesterday. It is a month earlier than normal, I'm guessing lots more water froze early this year so he's hungrier.

I did take the time to snowshoe a bit on Saturday. Not so much to enjoy it but to check out some tracks that were in the back and to see where they went. They were not clear enough to identify. I am way past enjoying winter. Tired of it, hating it and wanting it to warm up. Dh says I just need to sit in front of my light longer.

Hatching some eggs would be a wonderful thing to do right now except the thought that they would have to be in the house for 3 months. I also can't separate out my breeds to collect eggs until the snow is gone. I will be trying to collect my own Russian Orloff, Bantam Cochin, Showgirl and Bantam Salmon Faverolle eggs. One summer coop is buried and the other needs roof repair after one of our storms took off the ridge cap. DH also has to build a new coop (#7) for turkeys. He wanted our son to be in the market livestock and raise them, even though I told him they need a separate coop and I'm not building it.

 

[uchytil]

Total bummer tonight. Strutter passed away... The girls that were with him are still showing no illness. Still fat and healthy... He was so big an beautiful and never balded a hen, made a bare back. Just a really chill rooster. The type you want... Bummed. Totally freaking bummed.

Sorry to hear that Nova!

 

[chickwhispers]

I too am tired of winter this year. Even though I love the smell of fresh crisp winter air, there is just too much winter in this year's air! The other day it snowed again. A nice slow, soft, wondrous snow that glistened and sparkled in the light. Then I remembered what was coming this week. Lows of 4 to -4 highs 10 to 15. Today our high of 33 was at 7 am. The wind has picked up already. I despise windy weather. Especially excessive cold and windy. sigh...Can't wait for spring.

 

[uchytil]

I need some clarification on just what GAAMPS is or isn't. Are the guidelines in the GAAMP considered law? Is GAAMP certification necessary to own a farm? What are the penalties for not having certification? Is GAAMP tied,in what way, to the right to farm act?
Its my understanding that GAAMP only applies if you make money with your "livestock",i.e. sell eggs,chicks, chickens, or meat. Is this right?
If so, then we need to broaden our scope to encompass chickens as a "right" within the city or anywhere else, as long as they comply with existing noise , smell, and other applicable ordinances. As I see it, it would be constitutional to ordinance against foul smell, drawing nuisance varmits, and excessive noise, because they infringe on the rights of neighbors, but to outlaw the owning of chickens per sai (?) infringes on the individuals rights ( and has nothing to do with anyone else) and without actual violations wouldn't be constitutional. I believe that GAAMPS is only a small part of our problem, the big part is attacking the infringement on our rights.

I doubt the TWP here would tell everyone to get rid of "their farm" animals just yet, but, as the large land owners that farm to some extent die off the families sell the land and communities spring up. This has happened on my road and will continue. The farmer across the road has family that will no doubt sell and it's a prime location for a "community". And there are more places like that on my road. I see the the bigger problem simply being lifestyle and where you presently hang your hat. The majority of people's idea of country is asphalt, track housing, and country decor, with ortho lawn chemicals thrown in as good measure. I'll do my "farming" until it's not fashionable and the I'll just fade away into the shadows as is the present course we are on.

 

[chickwhispers]

I doubt the TWP here would tell everyone to get rid of "their farm" animals just yet, but, as the large land owners that farm to some extent die off the families sell the land and communities spring up. This has happened on my road and will continue. The farmer across the road has family that will no doubt sell and it's a prime location for a "community". And there are more places like that on my road. I see the the bigger problem simply being lifestyle and where you presently hang your hat. The majority of people's idea of country is asphalt, track housing, and country decor, with ortho lawn chemicals thrown in as good measure. I'll do my "farming" until it's not fashionable and the I'll just fade away into the shadows as is the present course we are on.

Aww that's sad...

the thought that what is natural being tossed aside like an old worn out, out of fashion shoe. Please don't fade away. Small farms and business are what make a community a community. The closeness of community is knitted by personal relationships, not big corporations, with big money, and big fake "friendships. But yes I do understand what you are talking about, and that is sad too.