Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[lbrykowski2011]

My fab 5. They stick together all day away from everyone else. 1 light brahma's, 2 silver laced cochins and 1 EE roo, I think, the other 4 are def hens. These 5 are my fav now.

 

[Living the Simple Life]

To those of you who grow ghost peppers, is there any actual flavor? I tried a dish made with them last summer and all i got was very intense heat and not a lot of flavor.

Thanks.

I have been following this thread for quite some time but never actually posted.

Just heard today that Torani has a new syrup called "Sweet Heat" made with ghost peppers. It is not really supposed to have a flavor, but rather just be sweet and hot. Would make some interesting cocktails.

 

[1muttsfan]

Took a peek inside the hive last night, comb building is progressing. So far I used the jacket/hood only when the bees arrived, but it is a little unnerving to have them buzzing around while you are peering in at the seething mass of bees inside the hive without protective gear. I found myself freezing every time one hovered near. At least the flowers are finally out, so lots of food for busy bees.

 

[SillyChicken]

Took a peek inside the hive last night, comb building is progressing. So far I used the jacket/hood only when the bees arrived, but it is a little unnerving to have them buzzing around while you are peering in at the seething mass of bees inside the hive without protective gear. I found myself freezing every time one hovered near. At least the flowers are finally out, so lots of food for busy bees.

I know the feeling! We checked ours Monday... ours is also doing well. I actually spotted our queen for the first time! New brood should be starting to hatch in the next week or so. Looking forward to maybe having some honey this year! DH said if the hive does well, we may put in a second next year.

Sending a bunch of turkeys, chickens and rabbits to the processor tomorrow. That's going to be quite a haul. If anyone is interested in this information.
We're taking them to Munsells... As of April 2014, they are state certified so we can legally sell the meat they process. http://munsellspoultryprocessing.com/

 

[gladahmae]

Can anyone give me an idea as to how many chicks I can give a broody? I've got 5 (broodies) right now, and I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-35 eggs due to hatch next Wednesday that are looking good right now. I put about half of those eggs under my broodies today, but I would REALLY prefer to not brood chicks in the basement any more this year. I have 2 silkies and 3 LF hens. I have a 3rd silkie that hatched out a chick on Sunday, but I don't think she'd take any more on....she's doing a GREAT job though.

 

[aart]

Can anyone give me an idea as to how many chicks I can give a broody? I've got 5 right now, and I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-35 eggs due to hatch next Wednesday that are looking good right now. I put about half of those eggs under my broodies today, but I would REALLY prefer to not brood chicks in the basement any more this year. I have 2 silkies and 3 LF hens. I have a 3rd silkie that hatched out a chick on Sunday, but I don't think she'd take any more on....she's doing a GREAT job though.

I think you should brood them in the basement...it might help you curb your hatching addiction
Just poking fun, please don't be offended.

 

[tntchix]

Took a peek inside the hive last night, comb building is progressing. So far I used the jacket/hood only when the bees arrived, but it is a little unnerving to have them buzzing around while you are peering in at the seething mass of bees inside the hive without protective gear. I found myself freezing every time one hovered near. At least the flowers are finally out, so lots of food for busy bees.

YAY BEES!

 

[Stacykins]

I'm picking up my honeybees tomorrow, in the form of nucs. They were really behind this year due to the frigid, late spring. So I am finally bringing my bees home! I am still sad my hive died this past winter (survived the winter before like champs). But my friend's hive didn't make it either, and a local apiary had 100% hive loss. If the winter hadn't been so brutal, they hopefully would have made it.

This coming winter, I am going to hive them differently. When it gets cold and they stop leaving the hive, I'm going to mesh up the exits, and then move them into an unheated out building. I'll be interested to see how it works out!

 

[RaZ]

Many, many replies so I will paraphrase rather than quote them all.

I dropped off some birds at Munsell's today on my way to Lansing for another Ag Comm. meeting. The hot topic today was how the Feds are interfering with Michigan ag by cracking down on illegal immigrants that the big farms hire. There was a nice presentation by Hantz Farms of Detroit. Kind of highlighted how big money gets MDARD attention while small farmers are ignored by the state.

On the return to home, I stopped and visited with Kat who gifted me with a few eggs for a broody, some venison and dehydrated peppers. Plus I got to sample some "Satan's Ghost" salsa. Excellent flavour and a nice bite of hot to it. Certainly cleared my sinuses and tasted oh, so good. Now I will have to search for a ghost pepper plant if I can find one.

Working with the bee hives gets easier as you become more accustomed to them buzzing around you. Try to resist the urge to peek into the hive unless you have a reason to be there.

Welcome new posters and lurkers. See my links for info on Chicken Stock. It is in 3 weeks! Anyone local want to help me get my things together?

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

...OK, speaking of peppers *and* Lansing, does anyone have a "recipe"'for the sweet red peppers that they've got at Jersey Giant? I love love love love love those!