Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Trefoil]

HELP!
I introduced our Welsummer here last night saying we were getting two others on Tuesday. Well, we just couldn't leave her lonely that long, so we bought a silkie bantam from FFH in Holland. Now, our Welsummer is pecking at the Silkie's feet and face! The Welsummer was only alone as one chick for 24 hours total. Is this normal behavior? "Pecking" order? Or should we separate them? Is the Welsummer showing dominance because she's larger?

Sorry if this is a silly question -- just a new mama trying to figure out what's right!

Maybe try sprinkling feed on the floor of your brooder to give her something else to peck at.

 

[Brennigan]

@JackieandChicks // Thank you! I should've just emailed you, but I panicked & posted on a few different threads.

Can I ask questions here or is it simply social? That one comment a few days ago made me question if I was posting appropriately...

 

[SillyChicken]

@JackieandChicks // Thank you! I should've just emailed you, but I panicked & posted on a few different threads.

Can I ask questions here or is it simply social? That one comment a few days ago made me question if I was posting appropriately...

Please feel free to ask anything on here, if we don't know the answer we may be able to help find out or re-direct you. If someone doesn't reply it could be we just missed it, haven't seen it yet, or don't know and waiting for someone who does to post. Don't take it personal. And don't let that post bother you, it was the cabin fever talking... I think we all have a case of it!

I always try to introduce my birds at night after they've gone to roost. There will be fighting till pecking order is restored. Just keep an eye on them to make sure they're not drawing blood or keeping them from food. Blood drawn from pecking will encourage more pecking to the point where they will not leave it alone, and will actually kill bird..(blue kote spray will help) Some breeds or birds just wont get along. If you can, you could try to put the new bird in a cage or section off part of the coop so they can see each other for a while but not come in contact with each other. that may be a less stressful way.

I just moved a young uggo roo who was a late season chick from one of my Sumatra hens. He was acting like a roo with a new toy on the hens tonight so he got bumped to the uggo coop. He will be headed to freezer camp soon. I'm sure he's going to get a tune up when the other birds discover his rowdy behind in their coop. (uggos are a rather ugly mutt chicken btw)

 

[Peep-Chicken]

My chickens love me so! No added light, and 5 of 8 are laying. And about everyday I get 5 eggs! I get roughly 25 eggs a week! Not to mention four that are laying are polish. Go girls!

Are TSC got some Russian orloffs, minacoras, sumtalers, and many more. Not spelling names right im sure .

 

[SillyChicken]

Good news, we're not shearing the sheep tomorrow... going to put it off as long as possible though I may have to take a day off work when the time comes. I'm really happy about that. I have the girls shut in the shed though so we can keep them dry if we end up with any snow this weekend.

I give Star, my doe, a going over every night, she hates it when I touch her udder... and I'm sure she's getting sensitive but, I noticed tonight she has filled out a bit more. So this weekend.. she's getting her CDT and hoof trim. I wouldn't be surprised if she were a week early.

She is due on march 30th... anyone wanna guess a different date/time? My guess is she's going to start when it's the worst possible time for me to be off work or something. Cause that is the way it always seems to go!

DS and DBIL have come home from the Ukraine empty handed. I feel bad that they didn't get to bring any kids home, but they said they still enjoyed the experience, and reminders that we still have it pretty good back here in the states.

Interesting article about the freeze quakes... it was during the coldest part of the night, yeah I bet that was it!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chinese-Tea-Leaf-Eggs

 

[annagarret]

My chickens love me so! No added light, and 5 of 8 are laying. And about everyday I get 5 eggs! I get roughly 25 eggs a week! Not to mention four that are laying are polish. Go girls!

Are TSC got some Russian orloffs, minacoras, sumtalers, and many more. Not spelling names right im sure

.

Yeah!!!!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

...
My seed order arrived and I so want to start some seeds, but I'm thinking it is just way too early yet, same with all the adorable chicks every one has.

.

Type in your zip and this will tell you your dates for seeds.
http://m.almanac.com/gardening/planting-dates/CA

 

[fuzzybutt love]

My chickens love me so! No added light, and 5 of 8 are laying. And about everyday I get 5 eggs! I get roughly 25 eggs a week! Not to mention four that are laying are polish. Go girls!

Are TSC got some Russian orloffs, minacoras, sumtalers, and many more. Not spelling names right im sure .

Which town????

I answer questions if i know; i do both social and other. We just talk about whatever is on our minds. Don't be shy!

 

[mindylee]

Are TSC got some Russian orloffs, minacoras, sumtalers, and many more. Not spelling names right im sure .[/quote]

Nope... only by special order for tbese breeds. They only get the same yr after yr. Ya might see something new for the feature breed however it will only come as st run. This week we got welsummers as a feature breed... only 4 pullets that I could tell out of 30. Other feature breed was barred rocks And every single one had a big white dot on Iits head.

 

[uchytil]

I was in on thursday... They had Wellies! A whole feed tub full of them. I was so tempted... but didn't. In the bantam bin, there were a few wee silkie chicks in with them... SOOOO tempted but I can't... Nope nope nope. No new birds this year. Even breaking the broodies.

OMG! I just check my dang LP and I am down to 10% I have averaged 15% a month. Amerigas told me to call them when I got to 10% as they are rationing. Even getting the 200 gallons, it's $700... pay property tax on time, or LP... I am thinking property tax, and space heaters going into effect... Heat dropping down to 60... Best bundle up in those sweat pants. Even have turned the hot water heater off until just before a shower is needed then off as soon as shower is done. Think I will start using the shower at the gym... I hate showering in public though...

Hope ya'll are doing well. haven't been on in quite a bit, and there are over a thousand posts... Too bad we don't have a quick overveiw anymore... That was so convenient... Oh wait, I used to do that... Ho hummm...

I feel your pain. Excel came out and is rationing at 150 gals per visit. I checked and the cost is almost double what it was this time last year - double! If you have a programmable thermostat you may want to set it lower (55) at night, and, as you said, 60, during the day when you're not there. Is your water heater wrapped in insulation? It does help, and check your setting to make sure they are as low as possible, some people set them too high. Usually 120degF is enough. Oh, and don't forget to change your furnace filter to keep the furnace working smoother, easier draw, better flow. Probably all stuff you are doing but never hurts to mention in this energy crunch. When my water heater finally dies I'm installing a whole house tankless unit. While initial cost is more the long term savings is greater.

Good to hear from you. Might be down in Holland today shopping, yay - Not!