Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[JackieandChicks]

Waiting for hubby to help me dig out of our driveway - the snow is so soft my truck got stuck! And why am I home middle of the day? This is why...;



First chicks of the season! 2 Light Brahamas, 2 Buff Orphs, 2 SL Wydonettes, 2 Leghorns, and 5 Welsummers - I had the three and the gent at Townline went and got me two more with the dark markings. Will get pics later to see what sexes the Welsummers are - the others are pullets

 

[Amy PT]

Aww... @JackieandChicks That's a cute pile! Enjoy!

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Even my shovel was broken hearted today.

 

[preciouskitty]

I shoveled too...AND just finished AGAIN. And, again, was unable to go to work as our drive was drifted over. In fact,,it drifted over yesterday before the snow started due to strong easterly winds. Discovered THAT as I attempted to go to Munsell's to pick up Roo (ours was one of the vehicles in the packed parking lot early in the morning yesterday). My car got stuck In the drive &'DH was in the city with the truck...argh. Luckily, Rachel at Munsell's let the birds stay at camp overnight & pick them up this morn

Well, now that Roo is gone, thought I'd see about putting Blackie back out ...he & Bigboy have always gotten along really well. Hah. THAT didn't go so well (I did know there would be some chest bumping, etc., just wasn't sure what was too much)..tho the dynamics were interesting to watch. Both are now wearing a bit of Blukote...Blackie back in with Spaz.

So. Will it now be impossible to put Blackie back in with the rest? Am I gonna have to make another hard decision? I know Spaz can't go back out til it warms up & I can slowly "reintroduce" her...but Blackie can't stay in here (he won't shut up) & I have no way of separating any birds outside.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

The little divot to the right was from a bunny who got a rude surprise when he jumped down into what had been shoveled with corn scattered

 

[Candy442]

Winter time blues - Our do the same thing. The RIRs seem to be the meanies and do that to the Marans and EEs. Once the 10 feet of snow melts they'll be able to escape into a springtime field of sunny and warm bliss.

I am glad to hear it could be that. Our RSL's are the only ones doing it. They get barley sprout fodder, yogurt, boss, and flax seed. I have not fed them any sort of meat however. They have been getting an increase in the starch due to the unreasonably cold weather and below zero night time. None of the birds are fat at all!.

We have separated the "reds" from the rest of the flock just in case. Our poor little Ameraucana was like a buffet to them! We put Blu Kote on her and it blends in nice, but then they were interested in that "stuff" on her wound!

First time any of our birds decided to start eating feathers! and wonder if it seems to be a "red" habit, the RSL's are cross between New Hampshires and RIR's aren't they?

 

[chickwhispers]

Aww... @JackieandChicks That's a cute pile! Enjoy!

X2!

Even my shovel was broken hearted today.

That means you don't have to shovel anymore this year

I shoveled too...AND just finished AGAIN. And, again, was unable to go to work as our drive was drifted over. In fact,,it drifted over yesterday before the snow started due to strong easterly winds. Discovered THAT as I attempted to go to Munsell's to pick up Roo (ours was one of the vehicles in the packed parking lot early in the morning yesterday). My car got stuck In the drive &'DH was in the city with the truck...argh. Luckily, Rachel at Munsell's let the birds stay at camp overnight & pick them up this morn

Well, now that Roo is gone, thought I'd see about putting Blackie back out ...he & Bigboy have always gotten along really well. Hah. THAT didn't go so well (I did know there would be some chest bumping, etc., just wasn't sure what was too much)..tho the dynamics were interesting to watch. Both are now wearing a bit of Blukote...Blackie back in with Spaz.

So. Will it now be impossible to put Blackie back in with the rest? Am I gonna have to make another hard decision? I know Spaz can't go back out til it warms up & I can slowly "reintroduce" her...but Blackie can't stay in here (he won't shut up) & I have no way of separating any birds outside.

Our temps are going to the 40's tomorrow, how about yours? Maybe that will help get the melting started? Sorry about your roo. Any way the can be in same area but separate? So they can still see but not touch for awhile? Other than that I don't know how two chickens who have aggression towards each other can learn to live together.

The little divot to the right was from a bunny who got a rude surprise when he jumped down into what had been shoveled with corn scattered

Awww.

Quote: Yep sounds like they are tired of being cooped up! Just like the rest of us. RIR's are known to be more aggressive. Good luck.

 

[glambka]

Just want to remind everyone that the eggs which will be featured on Martha Stewart.com are clean and blown shells! She's not previewing my decorate eggs, although I am hoping that is to come. There's also been some talk about creating a kit for others to make pysanky eggs! So that's why I was asking all of you if I could do photo shoots at your farm in the future, to feature you, your birds and their eggs. Including ducks, geese, peahen, quail, etc. I just don't want anyone under the impression she featuring my decorated eggs....at least not yet! So, I am still Interested in buying any unusual eggs of course....my interview is tonight and I plan on including my BYC friends in my comments. And RaZ don't worry....I haven't forgotten!

 

[Candy442]

Yep sounds like they are tired of being cooped up! Just like the rest of us. RIR's are known to be more aggressive. Good luck.

I should also add that we did switch their feed due to my having a 5.00 off coupon off each bag of Purina Layena. They were eating Dumor before that....

Now I am wondering if the absence of that animal protein in the Dumor as compared to Layena is the culprit? If the Red wasn't EATING the feather, I would chalk it up to boredom and being mean...or can they eat it just as a "so there!" response to their meanness?

I have to say in the time we put the Reds in solitary, there are much more feathers hanging around on the ground in the run....hmmmmm.... maybe I should feed them a couple of scrambled eggs....and then let them back with the others. I feel bad about them being by themselves, especially Lizzy who we have never caught pulling or eating feathers, but we wanted them all to stay together since they are the "three musketeers"...

 

[chickwhispers]

Ahh yes that could very well be. I had one who was doing that. I added extra protien every other day and it helped. Like scrambled eggs and meal worms and such until finally I just got a bag of chick starter and mixed in. For the hens I had to add some extra calcium ...oyster shell free choice as always but some egg shell ground up on their treats too. Until that bag was gone.