Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[tntchix]

I can't wait to revamp our roosts so I can do poop boards. Right now no way to get poop boards out easily.
Which seed catalogs do you guys use? I'm still new to all the gardening stuff.

 

[Whatshisface]

I generally use a regular base water heater with a 5 gallon poultry waterer. It’s worked well for years. The only thing I don’t like about them is, they will eventually rust and they are not cheap to replace. I’ve decided the next time I need one I am going to try to make my own.

I usually don’t worry so much about the cold because the coop they have is relatively comfortable. It has automatic lighting that I installed to increase egg production. The lights stay on from 5pm to 9pm and they do put out some heat, not much, but some. With that said when the temperatures start reaching double digits below zero like they will tonight I do become a little concerned. So I will probably be out there a couple times tonight with an old lantern which will only serve to take some of the bite out of the air.

I finally moved my rooster out of quarantine and into the regular coop. He has been in quarantine for a little over 3 weeks. I wanted to wait 4 weeks after reading some of the suggestions I received, but with this cold I figured it was prudent to move him now. I have never seen such a gentle rooster. He is a welcome addition.

 

[1muttsfan]

The lights stay on from 5pm to 9pm and they do put out some heat, not much, but some.

I finally moved my rooster out of quarantine and into the regular coop. He has been in quarantine for a little over 3 weeks. I wanted to wait 4 weeks after reading some of the suggestions I received, but with this cold I figured it was prudent to move him now. I have never seen such a gentle rooster. He is a welcome addition.

Generally it is recommended to have the lights come on early in the morning, rather than staying on late at night. That way the birds get a natural twilight, allowing them to find their roosts as the light fades, rather than sudden darkness. I have my light coming on right now at 4:30 am.

Always nice to have a well-behaved rooster.

 

[tntchix]

Always nice to have a well-behaved rooster.

I finally have 2 that are awesome.

I finally moved my rooster out of quarantine and into the regular coop. He has been in quarantine for a little over 3 weeks. I wanted to wait 4 weeks after reading some of the suggestions I received, but with this cold I figured it was prudent to move him now. I have never seen such a gentle rooster. He is a welcome addition.

Congrats!

 

[Monstro]

Speaking roosters... are some breeds better behaved than others? Im trying to convince DH we should add one. We have young children so thats always a concern. Wondering specifically about marans or legbar rooster attitude. I think either would add color to the egg basket in future generations.
Thanks

 

[uchytil]

Speaking roosters... are some breeds better behaved than others? Im trying to convince DH we should add one. We have young children so thats always a concern. Wondering specifically about marans or legbar rooster attitude. I think either would add color to the egg basket in future generations.
Thanks

I'm no expert but the only "gentle giant" I've had (and still do) is a Buff Brahma named Hobo because he showed up one day on my property and has never left. All of my other roos have been bad to the bone. My tom turkey is turning into a real bad boy now too. Hobo is crazy nice!

 

[SillyChicken]

The 3 breeds I have with super roos have been Sumatra, Salmon Faverolle and an Uggo..

Sage is getting big!

 

[1muttsfan]

Handsome boy, Silly

Speckled Sussex are very good-natured, friendly birds in general. I would recommend staying away from Rhode Island Reds, the roosters can sometimes be very aggressive. It is true that you will find good and bad individuals in every breed, but some breeds tend to be more laid back.

 

[tntchix]

and photogenic. Wow.

 

[RaZ]

The chickenstock thread for attendance and pot-luck have been started.

The thread will try to be a one-stop place for information. Since the time for editing is limited, a member's page has also been created that can be edited at any time by the originator and someone he names to edit as well. It is set up so that the most important information is available at the top so you don't have to scroll through a lot of pages to find information.
If anyone wants to volunteer to help with the swap meet updates let me know and I can name you as a co-editor of the page.

Comments and questions are welcome, PM me if you like.
Cash bribes are also accepted.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/cs15-the-official-place-to-find-information-regarding-the-michigan-chicken-stock-picnic-and-swap
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ken-stock-information-thread-for-june-23-2015
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Delta Mills Park
7001 Old River Trail
Lansing
1-1/2 miles north on Canal off Saginaw, and 1/2 mile east on Old River Trail