Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[preciouskitty]

Think it's pretty much done here. Measured in a wind protected, non-drift area when I went out to get eggs. 11". And we were supposed to be in the "lower accumulation" area?

Winds are now gusting @ 35mph, so it still looks like a blizzard out there. Pretty sure plow guy will have to return. Pretty sure I will have trouble getting out of my drive tomorrow. Really should try & get to work as I took yesterday off, they closed today and Friday is my day off. Would it be bad if I only worked one day this week (Monday)?? But, if I'm drifted in, I'm drifted in...guess I could telework....guess I shouldn't worry about tomorrow, as I can't control it!!!!!

Stay safe all; and be careful shoveling this heavy stuff...

 

[chickwhispers]

@BigHope888 Sad for me to say But thanks for sharing that! If they can't handle it then why would anyone else expect to.

 

[Brennigan]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself and see if I can get some advice on raising chickens. My Mom and I would like to raise a few to have our own eggs. We don't want a rooster as I have read that they are mean. I know that they help protect the flock, but I think with proper planning and safety measures we can do without. We're working on a portable enclosure/run that we can move around the yard(we have 5 acres and used to have horses)for daytime foraging. We haven't worked out the coop yet. Would like suggestions about size, orientation( for light, wind, sun, etc) what features you like in a coop. Planning on getting 8 chicks mid-April, Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Wyandottes. Any suggestions for others? I would like to handle them a lot when they're young so that they are friendly. Tips about bedding, sand, scratch etc are also welcome. As far as feed goes, I'm glad to hear that Armada Grain has a favorable reputation among some of you as they are my local feed store. Looking forward to your replies.

Wendy

Welcome to BackYard Chickens of Michigan! : )

We've been researching tractor coops here on the website, and since we only have four, we're going to build this coop. I know lots of people will be willing to display their coops, but if you jump around on the site forums here, you might find a good one for your 8!

Husband and I just got a buff orpington and wyandotte last week and they are the sweetest and most out-going of our bunch (we also have a welsummer and silkie)! Great choice!

But, I know regardless of reputation, each chicken will grow up with her own personality and might prove "the breed stereotype" wrong. I, personally, would love to add an ameraucana to our flock -- blue and green eggs!

Ask any questions you like! This is new for me this year, and everyone is extremely nice and helpful...you couldn't have found a better forum!

 

[RaZ]

Some happy spring thoughts to get your mind of the white stuff outside. Pictures of emerging hostas.
These are the Dragon Tails

hostas that I ordered and received a couple of weeks ago.

 

[uchytil]

I PM'd RIRJen to see if she'd drop by and help me ID this Lop. Anyone know (no guessing)?

I rescued her with bad feet (caged for a year) and nursed back to form over the winter. I have a neighbor's grand-daughter that wants to show a rabbit this summer and I may lend her this one IF I can get an exact breed and coloring . Pic may be a tad fuzzy but it's a orange/fawnish and white which is not any coloring I'm aware of).

Thanks in advance.

 

[RaZ]

Welcome new folks. Glad that you have found us. Feel free to ask questions. Sometimes you get responses right away and other times the thread moves so fast that we might miss a post or two. It doesn't mean that you are being ignored. As I posted my hosta pictures several posts were made at the same time.

Also check out my signature for the pot luck food sign up for this year's Chicken Stock picnic event. It is June 21.

 

[chickwhispers]

@zndzant

I have Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orphington, Blue Marans, and a (Olive) Easter Egger. Have had Barred Rocks, Black Copper Marans Leghorns as well. My RIR are more aggressive but not bad. My Marans were very docile and gentle. My buff is so sweet but she is a broody girl and likes to sit on the eggs. When they go broody they quit laying for a several weeks. My Easter eggers have all been fairly gentle. I don't keep roosters either. I just got silkies, but their eggs are very small. They are gentle as well. I have heard Welsummers were gentle too. My coop was already built. But it is recommended to put it facing south to capture the warmth in the cold months. I have a large coop 9X13.5 so I have plenty of room. But I also have covered and protected outdoor runs. Coop and run are big enough to accommodate 30+ chickens but I feel my ideal number is around 15, in case of being cooped up for long they aren't too stressed. Hope this helps you. Good luck with your chicks.

 

[chickwhispers]

@RaZ Thanks! those look so nice right now!

@uchytil I don't know anything about bunnies except that they are so Cute! And your rescue is adorable!

 

[iamfivewire]

welcome to BYC zant

 

[zndzant]

Thanks for the welcome! I figured that south facing was the best, as that is what we did for the horse shed in the corral when we had horses. Since we get a lot of Northwest winds here, we were thinking of an area around the southeast corner of the barn. It is a 30' x 32' x 8' side wooden pole building. I wish my dad hadn't cemented the floor after we took out the horse stalls, when the horses were gone. It would be nice to somehow incorporate the coop into an indoor outdoor sort of thing. Guess I can't blame my dad though for filling up the barn with his stuff now. He did, after all, give up a LOT so that my sister and I could have the horses in the first place. But the chickens will definitely be close to the barn so that feed storage and water are readily available. Hauling water is not fun, especially in winter.