Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[chicken grandma]

Where and when is this Chickenstock of which you speak?

Welcome Ron! I don't have the information on the Northern Michigan Chickenstock but someone will be along here shortly to direct you!
Keep checking back on this thread for lots of good information and new friendships with chicken folks in your area!

p.s. I noticed you are just getting started. There are a lot of folks on here who are working on the legalities of keeping chickens in their towns/townships.

 

[Opa]

Where and when is this Chickenstock of which you speak?

Welcome to BYC and the Michigan thread. Chickenstock has been an annual event held in June at Delta Mills Park. It is an opportunity for like minded folks to get together, share a meal and a story or two. Also many folks bring birds, animals, and crafts to sell or trade. Really is a nice few hours. This month, for the first time, an "Up North" edition is being held in Lovells. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/693186/northern-michigan-1st-annual-poultry-fest-2012

 

[gladahmae]

Come on Opa... admit it... You are a man and just love going to the Depot and Lowes, even when there is nothing you need from either.

Truth be told, I absolutely detest Home Depot. They contributed to the demise of local lumber yards and that loss has made my life more difficult.

At a lumber yard I could get quality lumber. I would place an order with a counter man who knew what I was talking about. I would then drive my truck into the yard where a yardman would help me load the materials I had just purchased. In and out in short order.

Now I have to use imported lumber that I have to sort through to find a straight board. Load it on a cart, maneuver it through crowded aisles to stand in line waiting to check out, then wheel it in to parking lot and load it by myself. Oft times materials must be special order and that in and of its self is a joke. If something is out of the ordinary and the computer doesn't show it it doesn't exist. I have to convince the sales person that after almost 50 years in the business I know what I'm talking about.


Then to add icing on the cake they are satisfied with just selling materials they also sell the installation, which puts them in completion with the local contractors.

I'm sorry Opa, but you hit this right on the head! When we built our house, we got a lot of materials at Menards and THEIR pro counter didn't have a clue about anything. We literally had to tell them every single thing we needed when we were siding it. They never once pompted us about something, and questioned us several times about why we were getting others becuase they didn't know what it was!

As for installation......we had bought our carpet and installation through Lowes and a local contractor put it in. They probably didn't make as much as if we had hired them out-right, but at least they had work.

 

[RaZ]

I've had better luck with Mennard's than HD or Lowes. There isn't one anywhere near me so I'm stuck what is local. The only positive is that when I bought lumber the other day, I told the cashier that I should get a discount because the boards were so badly warped. She gave me 10% off.

So I have a new wood rack right near the back door and sheltered from the snow and rain.

 

[Fancy Favie]

Was He got hawked while saving his girls.

Thats to bad, I saw a young hawk the other day stalking my chickens, Both my Roo's had there eyes on the sky, I'm just hoping that my dogs who practically live out there will keep them from flying down.

 

[swampducks]

Check my signature, follow the links! On the attendees thread there is yet another repeat of the list of who is going and bringing what as my second post about it is no longer eligible for editing! There is also a map in there somewhere on how to get to it.

Where and when is this Chickenstock of which you speak?

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I am having serious hawk issues lately since the weather cooled. There was a big guy for the summer, he seems to have mostly given up but now there are at least 2-3 little ones trying........Don't know if they are offspring or another kind, these ones circle and scoot when i go out and give the evil stare

I think my lucky plucky roo got too stressed out there in the end. He did better when i seperated him from the girls in a seperate coop, but he got lonely and they cried at bed-time for their big strong guy. That is the big difference between this summer and last though, i kept him seperate most of the summer last year. It was the only way i could get him to stop "working" and relax.

 

[caz426]

Opa- Last time I was at Home Depot I had to check myself out. The line for the actual cashiers is usually too long!

Got my coop moved yesterday, brought it inside the fence where I wanted it when we got it. DH finally caved saying that it will be easier for winter, closer to the house

. Even though they all checked it out and was in and out of the attached run all afternoon, when it came time for bed they all insisted it was till outside the fence. Had to pick them up and put them in! Hopefully they will be readjusted soon!

 

[Opa]

A word of caution to all who let there birds free range or have open topped runs. Even if you haven't had a problem with hawks in your area, you just might for the next several weeks. I have already starting to see migrating raptors so be especially diligent or willing to feed a few transient visitors..

 

[NovaAman]

Thats to bad, I saw a young hawk the other day stalking my chickens, Both my Roo's had there eyes on the sky, I'm just hoping that my dogs who practically live out there will keep them from flying down.

It was a hawk that took Roger, my silkie roo. A raccoon youngster did a day time attack on my yard. Tore the feathers and a tail completely off of one pullet, the feathers off another hen, and Mr. Fluffers came to the rescue, kicked the coons butt, saved the ladies. He ended up with a sprained wing, and other unseen injuries, lived for 8 days, even with antibiotics and special care. He was bleeding internally... I hope that I have another guy just like him. He was wonderful. First rooster I have ever had.