Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Maah]

I could search and read all kinds of tips but how about you? Egg eaters. What do you do besides removing the culprit(s) from the coop? I integrated some birds and had 3 eaters. They were removed and put with my GNH's because I only have one GNH hen. I still have an egg eater in the main I need to ID though. So, is there a way to "cure" this?

What I've heard (though thankfully have not needed to test out for myself yet) is to buy some ceramic fake eggs and put them in the nest boxes. Make sure you collect the real eggs out of the coop multiple times a day, but leave the ceramic ones in there. Supposedly the egg eating chickens will peck at the ceramic eggs, not like that it's busting up their beaks and give up on the idea. In a perfect world, but it's definitely worth a try. Let me know if it works. It sounds logical at least.

 

[chickflick]

@1muttsfan

hi back at you! Been so busy lately, I haven't been doing much on BYC.

Just had my first hacth of the year - got some Lavender Ameraucanas (plus one blue and one black) and two Birchen/Wheaten Marans, and one OE. Next hatch will be for Easter. Setting Swedish Flower Hens, and hopefully, Cream Legbars and SG Dorkings.

oooohhh are you coming to Chickenstock? I love those Swedish Flower hens. Are you bringing any pullets to chickenstock?? I would love to have a couple of pullets!! Am I a little excited?? Yes!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

What I've heard (though thankfully have not needed to test out for myself yet) is to buy some ceramic fake eggs and put them in the nest boxes.  Make sure you collect the real eggs out of the coop multiple times a day, but leave the ceramic ones in there.  Supposedly the egg eating chickens will peck at the ceramic eggs, not like that it's busting up their beaks and give up on the idea.  In a perfect world, but it's definitely worth a try.  Let me know if it works.  It sounds logical at least.  

Read that also but I have not tried it. I have an egg eater. Sometimes. The Rouen. Anyway, I noticed that she eats the eggs when I bump up the protein in the feed. I have no idea why I've noticed that correlation, but I have. I drop back to 16% and she stops. How odd is that?

 

[uchytil]

@Maah , I always had golf balls in the boxes to get the hens to lay. They even pull them under and set on them. When we noticed the eaters we took them out. What you say might work? When we got the new birds they immediately were pecking the golf balls. Taking eggs out all day is a chore! It is really the only way to save some. I bet I've lost 3 dozen already.

 

[RaZ]

Raz, are you allowed ANY kind of outside birds???

The only "legal" bird allowed is a canary. There is no designation as to whether it is kept inside or out.
I suppose my parakeets are illegal, according to the ordinance.
Please don't turn me in.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

The only "legal" bird allowed is a canary. There is no designation as to whether it is kept inside or out.
I suppose my parakeets are illegal, according to the ordinance. 
Please don't turn me in. 

You can't even have other tropical birds? Wow, although your canaries are better then none .

Are they in a shed outside?

 

[RaZ]

You can't even have other tropical birds? Wow, although your canaries are better then none

.
Are they in a shed outside?

The ordinance is very specific. They outlawed all animals except dogs, cats and canaries in the early sixties when the city illegally rezoned from Residential Farm to just Residential. It was a way to increase the tax base for the extra revenue.

This is one of the reasons that I have been fighting the changes to the GAAMPs. The proposed change will allow each city or town to decide what you can do on your own property, based solely on how the local authorities want to zone you. Thursday is when the MDARD commissioners will be voting on this.

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote: Ha, I would love to come to Chickenstock and meet all my Michigander friends, but Washington state is just a wee tad far away for me. Well, I'd do it, but I don't think himself would be too pleased with me.

@chickflick - yes, I'm really excited about the SFH's too. I hear they lay enormous eggs, and besides they are pretty birds.

 

[1muttsfan]

Chickflik, TC is in Washington state, would love it if she could come to Chickenstock! I have some SFH's and they are very sweet.

 

[chickflick]

That's right!

I got so excited I forgot you weren't from around these parts! Darn it anyways! Someone did have Swedish Flower hens last year. Krisrose got one, but it died. Just loved that pretty bird.
What a beautiful day it is! I hope you all are enjoying it!