Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RTFchickens]

Raz, I just sent you an email from the commissioner himself that explained that low density farms are covered as long as they meet the "density test".
I also spoke with MDARD yesterday, and according to the RTF division, they too said that I'm covered as long as the density test passes.
I'm still going to fight for equal right to farm for ALL farms! While I'm glad my farm "passes" so to speak, I'm livid that ALL farms don't pass!
They said themselves that they can go back and change it later, so I'm writing and calling officials to make sure they know how we feel.

 

[RaZ]

I'm afraid that the commissioner is mis-reading what was stated on Monday. As mentioned, it was a long meeting and Jim Johnson made sure that nothing was clearly stated.
I hope that you truly are covered based on the content of the e-mail.

The revisions are supposed to be available this week. We will have to carefully read them.

 

[RTFchickens]

I did send another email to him asking to clarify who does indeed have the protection.
I have not heard back yet. He said he has to get back with me on it.

 

[SillyChicken]

cause........they don't even really know.

 

[SillyChicken]

alternate version........

Sorta cleaned up might be too busy.. IDK this is not my area of expertise! .........anyone may use this, if they send me an email asking for permission and intention of use... [email protected]

 

[Trefoil]

Raz, I just sent you an email from the commissioner himself that explained that low density farms are covered as long as they meet the "density test".
I also spoke with MDARD yesterday, and according to the RTF division, they too said that I'm covered as long as the density test passes.
I'm still going to fight for equal right to farm for ALL farms! While I'm glad my farm "passes" so to speak, I'm livid that ALL farms don't pass!
They said themselves that they can go back and change it later, so I'm writing and calling officials to make sure they know how we feel.

Save that email.
Its day 21 and I have 6 hatched with 9 more eggs. 2 are from my pens and the other 4 are the blue wheaten Americauna eggs I bought. So good so far.

 

[uchytil]

They aren't on the ground/dirt at this point (just cooped up) so I'm 99.9% sure it's not coccidia. Thinking back on how they were smooshed up in there I really think they just puppy-piled. Stupid chickens! The thing I don't get is that last night wasn't even the coldest night we've had in the past week! I added another entire bag of shavings for them to snuggle in to, and I'm going to completely top off their feed before bed tonight. Super frustrating! Good thing I was planning on growing out cockerels from the incubator to butcher in the fall I guess.

I skipped this spring just because of the cold and plan to do fall meaties. Anyway, when I do mine they are in a pen with nothing but shavings, water, and food. I space two heat lamps out and they all huddle together. Pretty sure (since they are pea-brained chickens) they smothered each other like you said. I never use any medicated food or special anything and always do well with about a 5% mortality rate from heart problems (CX, sheesh). I usually only have them on heat for about two weeks (2 weeks inside, 2 weeks on lamps, and 4-6 more weeks on nothing). We average 7-9 lb hens and 9-12 lb roos dressed.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

OK.  I have a meat chick question. I HAD 61 of them.  They've been outside in one of my smaller coops for about a week now, 2 heat lamps, food and water all the time, etc.  This morning I went out to fill everything up and I have 12 dead chicks. (They're almost 3 weeks old.)  The coop has nest boxes along both sides at floor height, and all of them (the dead ones) were piled up in one of the boxes.  Do you think they just smothered themselves?  They were AWAY from the heat lamps by being in the nest box so I'm rather confused.  This spring is not really cooperating like I want it to for these things, but they were WAY too stinky to be in the house.  No signs of bloody poop. Anyone have any ideas???  

I had the same problem a few weeks ago with my meaties. The CornishX are so stupid that they don't get out from under the pile and are smooshed to death. I moved them to a bigger pen. It's harder for them to pile because they can't brace themselves on the walls. I'm really sorry for your loss, its not the same as a pet loss but it's still a financial loss and that hurts too, been there.

 

[ckalisz]

For those of us mi people do you insulate or do anything special with your coops? Mine is just sided with t1-11 siding think this will be ok in the winter?


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[JackieandChicks]

I made this map of my property (in red) and the new criteria that I do not meet, trying to make sense of it. Not sure if it's correct but this is the way I interpreted it. Let me know if I've got something wrong. I still don't understand what constitutes a "facility" exactly. Does pasture count? A farmed field? I measured the 1/8th mile based on my barn and the 250ft. based on the chicken coop (blue line). But friends/family are asking me how it all works and I'm much better at a visual description. The two big fields (upper right and lower left) are owned by the CAFO down the road.