Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Opa]

Quote:
Inspection of the felled tree after bark was removed was when I became aware of the same damage patterns as on the Emerald ash borer killed trees. I'm convinced the insects just moved on to other tree species.

If a chicken's leg looks swollen, cracked, with scales standing out you have a mite infestation. Left untreated in can cause difficulty in walking and even permanent crippling. Treatment is quite easy with mineral oil, baby oil, or any oil you could on your own skin. Once, when I didn't have and mineral oil, I used Avon Skin So Soft. Not only did it kill the mites, my birds smelled better for several days. I spray the birds legs liberally 3 times 3 or 4 days apart. You will see a noticeable difference after the first treatment. The oil suffocates the mites and it also softens the scales on the bird's legs allowing them to return to their normal position.

 

[Maah]

Good points with the scaly leg mites. (Hmm... ***makes note to remember Avon Skin So Soft, the ladies would smell lovely.*** LOL).

I heard good reviews on adding some "tea tree oil" to the mineral oil (or whatever oil) that you spray on the legs.

 

[uchytil]

it takes a powerfull $$ I do think there are some that do their own

X2 on the weather, looks foggy and dull again but I'll take that over shoveling sn......

good info today, thanks to all

I pulled out my microscope and proceeded to break it. Considering it's got to be 45 plus years old I'm surprised it still looked so good. The ocular lens mount snapped at the threads. So I took the whole thing apart and will attempt to restore it. It has 4 compound lenses up to 750X. I saw a CL posting about an Alpaca operation selling off a scope they used to check for parasite infestations. It even comes with some manuals on parasite identification using the scope. I may have to ask Santa for a new one.

Yes, this mucky weather. I parked my hay truck in the barn and might unload it tomorrow.

 

[birdman55]

well three walls up in the big coop

 

[RaZ]

it takes a powerfull $$ I do think there are some that do their own

I pulled out my microscope and proceeded to break it. Considering it's got to be 45 plus years old I'm surprised it still looked so good. The ocular lens mount snapped at the threads. So I took the whole thing apart and will attempt to restore it. It has 4 compound lenses up to 750X. I saw a CL posting about an Alpaca operation selling off a scope they used to check for parasite infestations. It even comes with some manuals on parasite identification using the scope. I may have to ask Santa for a new one.

Yes, this mucky weather. I parked my hay truck in the barn and might unload it tomorrow.

Not all scopes are expensive. I got a(n) AmScope MU series with a digital camera from Amazon about a year and a half ago. It is a fine diagnostic tool and fun to play scientist with. Prices vary like most things, but you can get a decent scope for a reasonable price. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...02394,n:499320,n:499170,n:393248011,k:amscope

 

[RaZ]

Some random thoughts/opinions of recent comments. Have your grains of salt handy...

Egg production and light. That is a topic debated often and sometimes heatedly. The idea of 14 hours of light is based on decades of research for commercial egg production facilities. Those chickens are bred specifically for maximum egg production in the shortest amount of time possible. Those chickens with limited production cycles raised under controlled environments. It is not fair to compare them to backyard flocks or even free-ranged pastured hens.

Even if we are raising chickens for egg production on a commercial scale we are probably not doing so like the mega farms that have been researched for so many years. I'll go a step further and suggest that part of the reason that we see a reduction in egg output is because as the days shorten and grow colder, the forages that chickens thrive on are reduced. We are not seeing green weeds, active insects or worms that our chickens forage for. I can't offer a good scientific basis for this theory but it seems to me that natural food forage is reduced then it seems likely that egg production will also be reduced, And if you take the age of a hen into consideration, it only seems natural that older hens are going to be less productive.

I guess I mean to say that if you want year-round eggs then you should consider those breeds known for high output and feed and light for production while giving them the best care that you can. Rotate your stock and cull as needed. And those who raise chickens as pets and consider eggs as a bonus...well there is nothing wrong with that either. Many of us are somewhere in the middle.
Insect damage to trees or firewood.
White ash trees were decimated by the EAB. There are some other insects that are damaging our woodlands and not fully understood yet. Oak wilt is a bad disease caused by a bug that allows for a fungus to attack oak stands. Pine borers are expanding in the state. Long horned beetles are hitting many hardwood trees like maples and other trees. Peach beetles are hitting apple, cherry and other fruit trees. It is very difficult to keep up with the hoards of invasive species that are introduced by accident or on purpose. Any tree experiencing environmental stress has a harder time fending off an intrusion.
I'm afraid that I don't have any good answers to these plights. And it seems that science is also looking for answers.

 

[tntchix]

When I have my dead trees removed next spring, I will be sure to compare patterns and let you know, but I suspect you are on the right track. My trees were never damaged or diseased until that dang bug came to town and ravaged my friends.

Thanks for the input about the oils.

 

[birdman55]

well didn't get the coop done like I wanted to ...it started raining...grrr...but here are some pics of the peach golden pheasants...im breeding






have a great night everyone...everything is coming for the incubators....it will be here before sat...I cant wait....yepper

 

[ChickenLady2014]

well didn't get the coop done like I wanted to ...it started raining...grrr...but here are some pics of the peach golden pheasants...im breeding have a great night everyone...everything is coming for the incubators....it will be here before sat...I cant wait....yepper

We had rain today too, now it's mixed with snow. Your birds are beautiful.

 

[birdman55]

thanks....
goodnight everyone