Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

Aarrghhh!! Chicken Rodeo!!

Broody mama took her chicks (4 1/2 weeks old) out into the run today for the first time....but didn't get them back into the coop, they don't get the go UP the ramp thing.

The pop door is 3 feet off the ground with a ramp starting on top of a concrete block 16" high, with another block 8" high for a step........
.......they just don't get UP yet...stupid chickens!!

She was settled in with 2 of 6 in her nest in the coop, I caught 1 in a net but the others got out thru the run fencing(2x4).

So 3 are in a bucket with lid out in the run, their nest is out in the run and mama is out in the run...pop door is closed, hoping they all go into the nest and I can cover the opening, grab it and bring it into the coop...Geesh!!! If that doesn't work I don't know what the h3ll I'll do!

Tomorrow...chicken wire on the bottom 2 feet of the run, at least the 'under run' (8x4 space under the coop) so I can trap them there with the net if need be in the future.


UPDATE:
GOT Em!!
Portable nest in the run worked as a 'trap' with mama as bait lured the chicks back in...everyone's safe and sound, if a little shook up.

 

[RaZ]

You gotta be in it to win it, lol! Anyway, I just checked the long range and saw possible mid-20 nights next week. I've been through this before. Tap trees early March, get a few gallons, sap stops running, then 2 weeks later it gushes for a week, or more. When you drill a hole for the spile sometimes the sap starts pouring out, sometimes not. The bad is if it runs and stops for awhile it can scab inside. The good is you can drill a new hole with no damage to the tree. There are people that tap the same trees their G. G. Great Granddaddy's tapped.

Forget the naysayers.

I drill a 7/16" hole about 2-3" deep. I use cheap plastic spiles with 5/16" clear tubing into 1/2" PEX to the ground. I also use metal spiles (old school) into cans and milk jugs. The milk jugs are my favorite!

Did I mention to forget the naysayers?

That must be my problem, need to go deeper. I thought that I reached the cambium but I've had no flow. I'll try re-tapping tomorrow.
I'm using metal spiles that I got from a guy in NH who has been doing this for years. These spiles are antiques.

 

[snowflake]

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UPDATE:
GOT Em!!
Portable nest in the run worked as a 'trap' with mama as bait lured the chicks back in...everyone's safe and sound, if a little shook up.

congrats, it won't take long for momma to teach them to go up, some times you have to put them on the ramp and make them up

they are so much fun even the chasing

(good luck to all the tappers. hope you get lots of maple syrup)

 

[misfitmorgan]

You found out more than I did there I heard $2 per bird on another list. I wonder what the real rate is...has anyone been tested and what did you get charged?

I am in Ottawa county and will be testing for anyone this way...

Well you know it's all in who you talk too and we were there for like 20-30 minutes after everyone left talking to Dr. ??? i can't remeber his name, he is the one who did the wing stick and showed where to do thigh prick.
EDIT: Yes Dr Fulton...thank you much Candy i knew it was an F but i couldnt remember lol.

 

[myfarm4579]

Morning to all. Wondering if anyone has seen any Robin's yet?

 

[misfitmorgan]

Morning to all. Wondering if anyone has seen any Robin's yet?

i saw what i thought was a robin but it took off before i could double take to check, so i guess that a maybe lol. i know the pigeons are back have been for a couple weeks.

 

[aart]

Quote: Thank you!
I can't get near them to 'show them how', kind of wished I had handled them more but it was soooo cold. Oh Well, I hope they figure it out quick.

She jumps up on the ramp where it's pretty high, doesn't use the convenient steps I provided to the low end of the ramp lol.

 

[ToniTalley]

Morning to all. Wondering if anyone has seen any Robin's yet?

No Robins, but the geese are back honking as they do their flyovers.

 

[aart]

Morning to all. Wondering if anyone has seen any Robin's yet?

Did you know that a lot of Robins actually stay here all winter?

I did hear some geese yesterday.

 

[ToniTalley]

Took our two extra roos to a place in westbranch that takes unwanted chickens and such today. It was a nice farm to leave them

Where is this place? I need to remove one or two roos as the 3 are arguing constantly and it gets nasty once in a while. I don't want them to end up in the stewpot, I want to find these Rhode Island Reds a nice home.