Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[fuzzybutt love]

Look up baby pics of the breed you want; most will be the chipmunk which i assume is old english. The pircelain are a butter yellow with a dusting of blue. Silkies are easy since they are silky and black skinned.

Anyone in the sparta/ cedar springs/ allendale/ coopersville area getting good variety at their stores??? I am pondering orloff Or silkie... but don't need either. I wish my sussex would go broody for me!!!!

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I love my d'uccles. They are so lovey! But tiny. I got them thinking they would be mini cochin size to set eggs.....lol. couldn't even set one of my ee eggs!

 

[Our Roost]

chickwhispers, Are you working directly with Townline or going through TSC? Your list for brown or blue pullets baffles me, in fact, the name of these breeds you mentioned suggests their color is anything but brown or blue for some of them. I surely dont think TSC offers any of these at their spring chick sale. I would suggest the welsummer or barnevelder. Wish you luck.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Note the look of disbelief.... bwa ha ha ha! I think of their list silkies are perhaps the only ones big enough to set standard eggs.

 

[chickwhispers]

chickwhispers, Are you working directly with Townline or going through TSC? Your list for brown or blue pullets baffles me, in fact, the name of these breeds you mentioned suggests their color is anything but brown or blue for some of them. I surely dont think TSC offers any of these at their spring chick sale. I would suggest the welsummer or barnevelder. Wish you luck.

I have mine ordered through Meyer this year. I was asking for future reference. I hear the banties are pretty cool.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

I try to coax the girls out for a little while but they really dislike the snow. I see pictures of other chickens on the snow, but not mine. I have a picture of them out one time but they zigzagged around on the bare spots. They ended up on the ice and weren't sure what to do about it.

Same here, they will only come out of the coop to free range some if the sun is out and no wind. Then they kick all their straw and pine shavings out onto the ground to walk on, won't touch the snow. At the end of the day, I rake it up and throw it back in. I bet they can't wait for the green grass either.

 

[Folly's place]

Good morning everyone. I need to STOP LOOKING at the weather forecasts___ way too depressing. Too much slip-sliding outside here too. UGH!!! We did order chicks from MMc for mid April, and some Marans chicks from Wynette for the same time. It will be spring by then, right?!? About bantams; I've got a small flock of Belgian d'Uccles and love them! All millies, cute and entertaining, and good broodies. They do fine in winter too. Had buff Brahma banties, very very nice, but with limited space, I decided on only one breed of bantams. The Cochins were also adorable, but again not enough room. Silkies want more care, IMO, and games might get tough with each other as adults. Want Belgian d'Uccles? Let me know. Mary

 

[chickwhispers]

I put straw out on the path a little ways and leave it there and just rake up by the door so I can close it.
Now the weather forcast is for 8 -12 inches of snow this weekend! I'll have to rake the straw up for that or it will be a mess and matted when it thaws.
The girls stiill won't go out the pop door where it's covered and protected. I guess they're still traumatized from the dog attack. I hope as it starts to warm they'll get better about it.

 

[SillyChicken]

Photo of a porcelian chick........ they are very flighty, but cute birds.

 

[SillyChicken]

yes we had considered top bar hives... but decided on this route.

Be careful about purchasing old used hives, if they have been invaded by a pest, insect or rodent, your bees may not stay or do well. but then again... our hive is new. It is a touchy hobby for sure.
Bee hive clubs or beginners meetings are held all over. I've been to a couple in Ann Arbor and in Napoleon. I highly encourage teaming up with a club or mentor before trying to do bees on your own.