Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[wonkyflock14]

Any other new chicken keepers suddenly realize that once you have chickens, you begin to see them everywhere?

 

[1muttsfan]

Good luck, Raz

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!!! to all the new folks. Good luck tomorrow, Raz.. Loved the chick pictures, and I'm wondering what coclr the cream chick with the darker bars on her back will be? Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Sorry, didn't check the spelling first. And I'm looking for opinions; last Friday one of my three month old EE pullets disappeared; daytime, free ranging, with a total flock of 45 birds. I'm thinking a vixen, or maybe a large hawk. Since then the flock has been locked in their run, so I've got a group of unhappy birds, but no more losses. I haven't seen a hawk, but probably won't unless I'm lucky. Mary

 

[Trefoil]

@RaZ

Good luck, RaZ .. Sure hope we aren't gonna have to start baking cakes w/files in them for you...maybe they will actually tell you WHAT you're being sentenced for tomorrow..

Its on a need to know basis and obviously the victim... er defendant doesn't need to know. Good luck Raz

 

[Opa]

When free ranging birds it is inevitable that you are going to lose some to predators and trying to keep you flock totally safe is impossible. While reducing the local population of four legged predators by trapping will reduce the potential it will not totally eliminate the possibility.

Danger from on high is impossible to guard against. You would be facing federal prosecution if you harm a raptor in in fashion. manner. So closely held are raptors that even possessing the feathers of an eagle (applies to non Indians only) could get you jail time.

The only thing you can do is assume an attitude of "they have to eat too" and accept the fact that you may lose birds. Once you make that mindset transformation you can then marvel at how nature truly works.

A few years ago, one of my neighbors started feeding a stray cat. Evidently it must have told all it friends and relatives ab out the easy picking next door to my house. I swear cat math is much worse than chicken math. At least the chickens stay in the coop or run and do not congregate beneath my window.

What started as one cat is now 15 or 16 and I think that most don't like each other. It seems most of the animus creates a situation that can only be resolve through conflict. Their screams are often blood curdling and often ruin a good night's sleep. As bad as their challenge screams are, they pale in comparison to breeding squalls.

I'm pretty sure that we have one cat with kittens living under my gazebo. Another cat has taken up residence under my front porch, and yet another had a litter of kittens under some shipping pallets behind my shop. Rather than be concerned about the feline population explosion, the neighbor just puts out more food.

While I have always been a dog person, I having nothing against cats and feel that anyone who doesn't like cats has never had one properly prepared.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

When free ranging birds it is inevitable that you are going to lose some to predators and trying to keep you flock totally safe is impossible.  While reducing the local population of four legged predators by trapping will reduce the potential it will not totally eliminate the possibility.

Danger from on high is impossible to guard against.  You would be facing federal prosecution if you harm a raptor in in fashion. manner.  So closely held are raptors that even possessing the feathers of an eagle (applies to non Indians only) could get you jail time.

The only thing you can do is assume an attitude of "they have to eat too"  and accept the fact that you may lose birds.  Once you make that mindset transformation you can then marvel at how nature truly works.

A few years ago, one of my neighbors started feeding a stray cat.  Evidently it must have told all it friends and relatives ab out the easy picking next door to my house.  I swear cat math is much worse than chicken math.  At least the chickens stay in the coop or run and do not congregate beneath my window. 

What started as one cat is now 15 or 16 and I think that most don't like each other.  It seems most of the animus creates a situation that can only be resolve through conflict.  Their screams are often blood curdling and often ruin a good night's sleep.  As bad as their challenge screams are, they pale in comparison to breeding squalls.

I'm pretty sure that we have one cat with kittens living under my gazebo.  Another cat has taken up residence under my front porch, and yet another had a litter of kittens under some shipping pallets behind my shop.  Rather than be concerned about the feline population explosion, the neighbor just puts out more food.

While I have always been a dog person, I having nothing against cats and feel that anyone who doesn't like cats has never had one properly prepared.

Oh. Okay, so this is how you tell me that you were the one how dumped the 4 kittens here???!!?!!

LOL JUST KIDDING

I'm totally a dog person, or maybe even a duck person, but I am loving these kittens. They were just hanging out too close to the house and us, so I moved them out to the barn, now that their eyes are open. Anyway, all seems well so far, but I am only keeping them if I can get them all fixed. The one looks just like "Church" from the movie Pet Semetary. I would bring that one inside. Anyway, since my own barn cat is always incognito, I decided that I need to come up with a mouse nest for them to learn how to be killers. So I asked DH, who sometimes encounters mice in his workday, to please bring me a mouse nest for my kittens. He said only if I gave him one of my canning jars. Ain't gonna happen! So now I have the empty coffee can idea. Anyone ever taught abandoned kittens to hunt and kill? What an odd question that is.

Canning: processed 14 half pints of blueberry conserves, 3 peach jam, 3 peach-basil jam. Still more to go. I'm ready to quit already. :/

P.S. My hawk returned today with a buddy.

Good luck tomorrow RaZ. I will be eagerly watching for an update tomorrow (today). Take care Friend.

 

[gladahmae]

finally  got the cup waterers from CS onto a jug, now to find a piece of copper to put in it and it will go out for the baby chicks

If the copper is just for an algae inhibitor you can simply put in a few pre1980-something pennies as they still used copper in them back then.

 

[aart]

Any other new chicken keepers suddenly realize that once you have chickens, you begin to see them everywhere?

Yes!...and also seeing other things that might work as chicken keeping equipment/housing!

Quote:
I was wondering about that!

 

[gladahmae]

Took 32 of the 47 broilers to the processor last night. The other 15 need some more growing out as they are still smaller than I feel is "worth" getting butchered and cooking. I also realized this morning that I haven't collects eggs for 2.5 days since my oldest has been at camp and he's my usual egg collector. Oops!! Going to fill a few cartons today!