Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Stacykins]

Thanks all for the kind words and advise for my situation with my grandmother. I really do love her, she can just be difficult. I feel better about it now, after some time to come to terms with the situation.

Though it has just changed. Since the fall yesterday, she was admitted to the hospital for observation. Good thing, because I just got a text saying she had a stroke. Not much information, because my Dad had to leave the room so the emergency team could tend to her. Knowing how that goes, I am sure she'll be transfered to another local hospital that has a stroke center and kept for a while. No idea what damage will be, until it is all said and done. But he said the doctors now actually think her fall was caused by an initial, small stroke. Won't know until she can get a CAT scan done.

 

[gladahmae]

you know what? today is a good day. Although, everyone in the house has a cold except for me (yet). The chickens haven't killed eachother, and I didn't even see any blood this morning. The littles slept in a nest box since the bigs wouldn't let them on the roosts last night. Baby cut both of his bottom teeth in the last 2 days. I've got pork fajitas in the crockpot for DH and the kids, AND I don't have to close the place down at work tonight! wooooo hooooo!! And as a bonus, DH should get the automatic coop door hooked up today or tomorrow!

Question about feed. We're talking about buying a bunch in the next few weeks to hopefully avoid the price spikes that are likely headed our way as a result of the drought. Is it reasonable to buy all grower/finisher and just put oyster shell out on the side or do we NEED to buy layer? And how much would you say to buy for 25 birds for the winter? We *seem* to be going through a 50# bag every 3 weeks with 10-12 birds right now. 3 bags per month sound about right?

 

[Brethren49619]

Glad, check out this thread. Lots of good information on feed (and one of the gentleman is from right here in Michigan)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/701540/when-to-start-layer-feed/80#post_9570515

Can't help you with the amount though ...

 

[chicken grandma]

Question about feed. We're talking about buying a bunch in the next few weeks to hopefully avoid the price spikes that are likely headed our way as a result of the drought. Please be careful not to store feed for a long time and have it become musty/moldy. The mold spores can be breathed by the chickens and they can develop lung problems as a result so fresh feed is imperative.

Is it reasonable to buy all grower/finisher and just put oyster shell out on the side or do we NEED to buy layer? I've always used lay crumble with the birds that are at the age to lay eggs and I have always put oyster shell calcium near fresh water as well. So basically, I do both.

 

[gladahmae]

Please be careful not to store feed for a long time and have it become musty/moldyPlease be careful not to store feed for a long time and have it become musty/moldy

what is "a long time" though? I'm thinking 4-6mo worth, if we can manage it. It would, of course, be stored indoors (our basement, which ISN'T a damp basement or in the shed part of the new coop) either directly in the bag, or in galvanized trash cans. If 4-6mo is a timeline that would result in moldy food though, it's out of the question.

 

[1muttsfan]

If it is packaged, processed feed such as Dumor or Purina, you could probably get by with 3 months - after that the water-soluble vitamins start deteriorating. If you get it from a feed mill in the big grain sacks, less - it is not in a stabilized form nor sealed so has a shorter shelf life.

I fed an all-flock ration for part of the summer this year and noted a significant decrease in the thickness of the shells, even with free-choice oyster shell. I imagine you would have the same problem with a grower/finisher.

 

[taprock]

See the big noses? I can't figure this one out, but it is a clue to their heritage. Only certain breeds have them, mostly with v combs. It is definitely linked with the personality thing, she was the only one of the 4 to get the nose and she is a lap hound like her momma was, but with her i didn't work with her at all, so i know it's in the bloodlines.

Orloffs are known for their beaks. The "not pure bred" ones look like EE. They have walnut combs although at 6 months they are still developing. Also they are the only ones that have always followed me around like puppies. Usually about 3 months they take off and don't want to be cuddled anymore, not these guys. Igor on the bottom watches me throw scratch and then comes up and waits to eat out of my hand. If I am standing up he hops to try and get it out of my hand.

 

[chickflick]

I haven't seen more hawks, but I sure do see a lot more vultures hanging around. Probably gathering to migrate. Why can't the red tail migrate with them??
Beautiful day today.
Dana, how are my boys doing?

 

[NovaAman]

Orloffs are known for their beaks. The "not pure bred" ones look like EE. They have walnut combs although at 6 months they are still developing. Also they are the only ones that have always followed me around like puppies. Usually about 3 months they take off and don't want to be cuddled anymore, not these guys. Igor on the bottom watches me throw scratch and then comes up and waits to eat out of my hand. If I am standing up he hops to try and get it out of my hand.

Holy cow Fuzzy! Look at that! Maybe she was orloff mixed? They have those lovely feeling feathers also!

 

[NovaAman]

Some people can not be trusted when left alone...