Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[taprock]

Everyone around here is talking about how great the northern lights were. We have a great view here but that drafted bridge lights up our northern sky so much we saw nothing!

I need some show quality eggs, or some call duck eggs for them to sit on

If you are going to be in the far north my call ducks just started laying.

In Mackinaw the raptor counting for migration has started. My son spent about an hour with the guys counting yesterday and saw 7 Golden Eagles and 4 Bald. We also had them come do a program at the library and it is very interesting. Two days ago they had 70 Golden eagles which is the highest one day count anywhere east of the Mississippi. It's pretty amazing what and how many are flying over us. http://www.mackinacraptorwatch.org/blog/. For us in the north we have about a month until most of the hawks return as the Eagles are always first.

My coop cleaning has been slow. Fill the bucket on the tractor, wait for the yard to freeze, empty on the garden and then repeat the next day. It is slowly getting cleaner.

And on the fun car end of things, the head gasket went out on my car yesterday so I get to beg rides with coworkers.

 

[snowflake]

Raz our son had open heart at age 7 has a wonderful zipper, he used to tell his class mates he fought a bear and
That is ware the bear got him

 

[JackieandChicks]

My flock is full of bantams! Totally want to take her, I juxt don't think I can add anymore

. She'd be great, seeing my EE won't lay any blue eggs.

I need to stop looking at chickens for sale lol.

Think about it...I have all LF and she's not afraid to take on the big hens and put them in their place!

 

[misfitmorgan]

Everyone around here is talking about how great the northern lights were. We have a great view here but that drafted bridge lights up our northern sky so much we saw nothing!
If you are going to be in the far north my call ducks just started laying.

In Mackinaw the raptor counting for migration has started. My son spent about an hour with the guys counting yesterday and saw 7 Golden Eagles and 4 Bald. We also had them come do a program at the library and it is very interesting. Two days ago they had 70 Golden eagles which is the highest one day count anywhere east of the Mississippi. It's pretty amazing what and how many are flying over us. http://www.mackinacraptorwatch.org/blog/. For us in the north we have about a month until most of the hawks return as the Eagles are always first.

My coop cleaning has been slow. Fill the bucket on the tractor, wait for the yard to freeze, empty on the garden and then repeat the next day. It is slowly getting cleaner.

And on the fun car end of things, the head gasket went out on my car yesterday so I get to beg rides with coworkers.

That always sucks i had to do that for 2 weeks last summer...new car now though so hopefully never again.

Think about it...I have all LF and she's not afraid to take on the big hens and put them in their place!

i have a brown red english game bantam that is the same way...she will reach out and peck the barred rock rooster who is like 4 times bigger then she is and i swear the rooster gets this funny look on his face like " did what i think just happened happen?"

 

[erinks]

Anyone from the Holland / Zeeland / West Olive / Grand Haven area?

Also, I'm new to chicken keeping, and was wondering what you all do with your flock when you go away, like on vacation? Do you have someone come and take care of them a few times a day? If so, where do you find people who do that? I don't have any family in the area so need to look at my other options. Thanks!

 

[misfitmorgan]

Anyone from the Holland / Zeeland / West Olive / Grand Haven area?

Also, I'm new to chicken keeping, and was wondering what you all do with your flock when you go away, like on vacation? Do you have someone come and take care of them a few times a day? If so, where do you find people who do that? I don't have any family in the area so need to look at my other options. Thanks!

Some people just build large feeders into the wall of their coop or attached to the wall made of pvc pipe and nipple waters or cup waterers for water supply.

This thread has a lot of ideas on it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-feeder-waterer-designs-pictures

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi Erinks, welcome to BYC and the Michigan thread

I have neighbors and friends stop by once daily and check chickens, food and water, and collect eggs. I worry that something could happen, especially with the water which is vital.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! We have horses, cattle, chickens, and house pets. We also have friends with critters, and we help each other out for farm sitting chores. Works great! Maybe a neighbor will be willing to help out, at least to check up on things while you are away.

 

[Opa]

My brother had a heart valve procedure done 3 years ago, and the incision for the operation was smaller than the drain tube incision. Just a few years prior it would have required opening the entire chest.

Maybe it's because I'm getting up in years, but takes less to make me happy than it used to. This morning discovering a large coon in one of the traps I've placed around my coops.



I'm downsizing my flock so I have a chicken coop I no longer need. It is a dual cage set up. I'll give it to anyone who will come and get it.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Anyone from the Holland / Zeeland / West Olive / Grand Haven area? Also, I'm new to chicken keeping, and was wondering what you all do with your flock when you go away, like on vacation? Do you have someone come and take care of them a few times a day? If so, where do you find people who do that? I don't have any family in the area so need to look at my other options. Thanks!

My neighbors check on them.

My brother had a heart valve procedure done 3 years ago, and the incision for the operation was smaller than the drain tube incision. Just a few years prior it would have required opening the entire chest. Maybe it's because I'm getting up in years, but takes less to make me happy than it used to. This morning discovering a large coon in one of the traps I've placed around my coops. I'm downsizing my flock so I have a chicken coop I no longer need. It is a dual cage set up. I'll give it to anyone who will come and get it.

You have any pictures?