Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

Unfortunately our good weather meant it wasn't snowing. It was cold and cloudy and windy. I wore my snowsuit the whole time I was out today and even working didn't get me too warm. The pig pen is done for tomorrow. Their hut isn't, but hopefully will be before tomorrow night. I put the youngsters outside for a bit. I have another hurt girl. It seems Brutus the Malay has been courting the tiny bantam girls. Why he doesn't like the girls his size I don't understand. He isn't being mean at all but is huge compared to a modern game. I may have to separate him if it continues.

I am more and more nervous about hatching ducks the more I read in the duck threads. And 28 days seem to take forever!

Opa I have been able to look at the apple trees finally. My favorite tree has dead limbs everywhere. Does the cold winter affect apple trees? Or more likely age? The voles around here have chewed the fruit trees horribly this year. There are some I am not sure will survive. With the depth of the snow this year, even some folks who wrap the trunks have damage way above the wrap.

I haven't even started seeds yet but I can finally see my garden free of snow! Most of the woods, herb bed, flower bed and north side of the house are still snow bound.

Congrats Farmerboy!

Oh Tap, I think you could wear a snowsuit in August and still be cold.

 

[tori8780]

My broody keeps switching nest boxes

It has me worried since I'm putting eggs under her tomorrow. I put an old dog crate out there and moved her into it. Think she'll stay?

 

[Folly's place]

Hi everyone, just thought I'd say hello. Cute kids!!! No goats here; horse fencing and gates won't do at all for sheep or goats or hogs, cute as they all can be. Chicks are happening here, so the heat lamps are in use right now. Pruned some trees and shrubs today, but the ice storm left a huge mess, so lots more to do. Love that it's spring at last! Mary

 

[RaZ]

Ah spring! The calendar says one thing and the weather says something entirely different. Welcome to Michigan.

I actually mowed here today because the lawn was just that tall. Even though there was 3 inches of snow on it on Tuesday. The crocus have bloomed and are now almost gone. Tulips are budding now. I have a patch of hops that are nearly a foot tall.

The chicks I got at TSC are now 8 weeks old and have been outside for a couple of weeks now. They found holes in the fence after the wind storm from Monday. There is just so much going on at this time of year. Our friends here have new goats, lambs and chicks. Whatever happens, we see that spring brings new life and an assurance that we have another season to enjoy.

And while we are all busy right now, I'd like to remind you that Chicken Stock is a mere 2 months away.

 

[Folly's place]

Just figured out that my MMcM mystery chick is an Egyptian Fayoumis! Never planned to have any, but I'm looking forward to watching him grow. Anyone here have any? He may come to Chickenstock, along with some Belgian d'Uccles, and who knows what else. Anyone looking for lilacs? It's really too late to move them in late June; let me know now if you're interested. Mary

 

[mindylee]

Its gonna be a long day today. Got a few farms to visit and do farrrier work at. ( im a mini equine/goat farrier for my county) and then come home to clean my coop.

Cant wait till next weekend as im headin to the imlay city bird swap. Im on the hunt for pheasant pen flight netting for my chicken run. I cant seem to find any nowhere so hopefully I can find some there.

 

[preciouskitty]

They are BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I have battled the hubby on getting goats for years and he just won't give. He's a mechanic and says they will climb all over his customers cars. But, but...butttttttt they are so cuuuuuute.....!  Keep on with the pictures, it's the only way some of us get to see their ultimate cuteness!

X2!!!!
Pix are the only way in gonna get goats, too!
Precious...

 

[preciouskitty]

Well, I have come to the sad realization that there is no way that I am going to be able to "re-integrate" Blackie with the flock. He & Bigboy are just never gonna be friends again.
It breaks my heart, but I think I have no choice but to send Blackie to camp. He is a sweetheart & a good Roo...good protector, gentle on the girls. But he can't stay in the house.

Also, Spaz (who's been in the house since around XMAS ) is a year old and NEVER laid an egg. What's up with that? She is my baby...

So, I will throw it out there. Anyone want a good EE Roo? He's a year old ...a pic of Blackie....

 

[Farmerboy16]

Thanks everyone. It was a beautiful day yesterday so I took the kids outside to meet Oliver and Daisy. When I found out that Ethel was positive for CL and CAE, I found a Saanen goat breeder nearby, and brought one of her year old doe that had just given birth. She is a very sweet goat, and is tested clean of everything! Oliver has adopted her as his mother.

Anabelle gave birth to 6 healthy piglets yesterday! Boy, I am getting flooded with babies! Pearl my Jersey cow might calve in a few weeks, and I have one more goat to give birth in a few weeks too!

Very content cows and goats

 

[ladyrsanti]

Anyone want a broody coronation sussex pullet/hen?

She started laying in December, light brown eggs, still on the pullet size, almost every day. She was raised by a chicken mom so she's not the friendliest bird if you're looking for a lap chicken. Trying to make room in my coop for this year's hatch. Two of my older hens are gonna be stew for sure as they're not laying but the sussex are young and good layers. I've often wondered if our 20 chicken max rule could be doubled since we own two lots. Is it 20 chickens per lot or was the plat drawn up as 20 chickens for our property? It's one of those things I hesitate to ask the authorities. Let sleeping dogs lie and all that.

Broodiness not guaranteed. PM for details.