Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[chickflick]

Welcome newbies!

 

[Candy442]

I'm worried about my 2nd broody. Went out after work and she was laying outisde of the nest kinda sprawled out. I got her out and took her to the waterer (she has one in the kennel too) and she wouldnt drink. But she did poop this yellow, foamy poop She kinda walked around for a bit, scratched then plopped down on the floor of the coop. I'm not sure what to do, she has me worried. Her butt is all poopy too but I checked and the vent looks good, so I dont know what I can do for her. She was fine this morning.

Hi Tori,

Here is a good link with photos to possibly identify the type of poop http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive.html
It's graphic! but hope it helps. As Fuzzy said, sounds like parasite/worms maybe?

Hi everyone! I'm very new to this site and raising chicks...few questions if anyone can take some time..I know we just came out of a winter for the books but I am already looking to get prepared.. Any tips? I live near petoskey and we got hammered this year, snow doesn't bother me but the below freezing temps...not a big fan. I am lucky enough to have a few acres near like minded people who are excited to have fresh eggs when I can supply them...I'm sitting on my back deck now and at 10:23 the coyotes are already howling near me..doesn't bother me in the least bit..my neighbor has a blue heeler who thinks she's meaner than most love NMI!

We all are full of "tips"

What kind of advice would you like? Yes, you must have chickens and we all have lots of coyotes, weasels, opossums, skunks, raccoon, fisher cats, hawks and eagles that also must have chickens.

Welcome Breezy and Amanda!

 

[taprock]

Farmerboy I was sorry to read about your calf, but glad you were there to help the goat. Farming and raising animals is a combination of great and horrible events.

My DH is a vet and used to march in all the Memorial Day parades. The years and back surgeries have put a stop to it. As I have said before we live next to a cemetery. It is a tiny one as far as cemeteries go but it always makes me happy to see how much traffic it gets at this time of the year. I know I am a bit weird so this will add to it, but I enjoy walking through the cemetery. I consider the people buried there my neighbors. I know who was the youngest, the oldest, where the Police officer is buried, who has a rooster on their stone and lots of other weird things that we have noticed as we have walked around. I may not have known them in life but I don't think they will mind that I am thinking of them.

I totally cleaned out my big coop yesterday. It has been a long time coming with the wet weather. Then I painted my smallest coop, put up temporary fencing and moved my guineas and turkeys out. By the way, anyone looking for guineas an heading north for the weekend, I have six who need a home. (Pearl and Pied) I have tons more to do but I don't think my back will keep going, so today will be town and housework.

Welcome breezy! I'm up by Levering so you are close. I don't have heat in my coops and everyone faired ok this winter. My smallest breeds(Old English and Modern game) did sustain some frostbite but the rest of the bantams and Standards were just fine. I am already thinking about what I need to be ready for this next winter, so sad but it seems to come so quick.

 

[SillyChicken]

I have no problem hiring someone! I just don't know who. I will never go to Craigs list! Too many of my friends have been scared, lied to and ripped of from creepy people on Craig's list!

I don't know who to get in contact with honestly. But, I won't use craig's list.

What about going to a shed building place... they can build and deliver. Just Google sheds or shed builders. They may even be able to modify one for you, instant coop. Not knowing where you are located, I can't make any suggestions on where to start.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Amanda39]

I don't want a shed, I'm just looking for some type of fencing area that is predator proof.

 

[SillyChicken]

I don't want a shed, I'm just looking for some type of fencing area that is predator proof.

JMHO, You'll need more than just a fence to keep them safe, a building of sorts (large plastic dog house) to shelter them at night and during bad weather that you can lock them up in, will be safer than just a wire pen.

but if you want pen ideas, get a dog kennel run panel kit, and use zip ties or wire to secure hardware cloth along the bottom half. You can bend it so it lays out flat on the ground then up the sides of the run. I would bury the HW cloth along the bottom to prevent a predator from digging in. And then use more HD cloth on the top or another kennel wall panel or heavy bird netting (though netting can be chewed through if you have a coon issue).

 

[fuzzybutt love]

[COLOR=333333]Hi Michiganders!
[COLOR=333333]I have been on the internet for 3 days straight trying to find something to buy and put together. I can't build anything myself as I have had surgery on both my hands and I only have a hammer and a screw driver, no building tools. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Any advice is GREATLY appreciated![/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Amanda[/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]So, that's my story in a nutshell. [/COLOR]

Hi! Well, if you live anywhere in the grand rapids/ muskegon area there is a place off of the apple ave/ alpine ave road casnovia area that is making 6x6 "deer blinds" for $400, have hardware cloth in the windows already! You can look it up on c.l. under hunting blind; smaller ones can be made the add says. The physical location is a ma and pa gas station.

The big thing though is making a secure pen! Geese/ ducks can use dog houses but a good covered hardware cloth pen is over $100. (it is my next chicken purchase) you need half inch by an inch holes, no more no less. It is to do with strength and weasles.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I have been eying the 1/2x 1/2 though. It is 18 gage, not the 16... input? I read over and over to go with the thicker stuff, ??

Also a guy at work came in with some stuff that is meant as a metal mesh backer for laying stone walls. Boxy, cheese grater esque?

 

[SillyChicken]

I have been eying the 1/2x 1/2 though. It is 18 gage, not the 16... input? I read over and over to go with the thicker stuff, ??

Also a guy at work came in with some stuff that is meant as a metal mesh backer for laying stone walls. Boxy, cheese grater esque?

Metal lath... it will rust, badly... unless you paint seal it and maintain it. But... it would certainly work, Just have to be careful as the edges etc are sharp.

 

[SillyChicken]

I have been eying the 1/2x 1/2 though. It is 18 gage, not the 16... input? I read over and over to go with the thicker stuff, ??

Also a guy at work came in with some stuff that is meant as a metal mesh backer for laying stone walls. Boxy, cheese grater esque?

Thicker the better.....