Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

How long have you been working w/ chickens/birds to learn so much? Any good tips for n00bs like myself on resources to learn more?

the small-scale poultry flock by Harvey Ussery is a good book on keeping chickens

 

[aart]

I'm not sure what he has. Just pigeons. Lol. I just know he can't afford expensive ones. And for some reason I remember he wanted faintails. So since I meet a breeder with a very nice pair of showy and very good looking owls. I talked to him as He was packing up. He asked if I knew anything about owls. I explained to him nothing but was looking for something nice for my f-in-l for a gift. He explained his stock to me and told me how he shows and breeds for shows. Showed me pics. I can tell he was very proud of them. Then he told me, if I really wanted them and since I was buying them as a gift. He would cut me a deal since they sound like they was going to a good caring home. He sold me $80 pair for $20. That was awesome. He said he hopes my f-in-l enjoys them as much as he dose.
So it was one of the better folks def to talk with and super nice of him to let me purchase his birds.

And yep. My daddy in law was shocked and super happy. He even started to tear up when I handed them to him. So today, he is out building them their own area away from the other pigeons she they are safe and sound.

Great story!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi Casey, welcome to BYC and the Michigan thread

The Learning Center I'd a great resource too

St Johns area also might be worth a look, Snowflake

 

[CVAN732000]

Okey doke Michiganders... I have a question for those of you in the Southern part of the state regarding feed costs to turn some meat chickens. With getting them out on the pasture (contained in a tractor) and fermenting their feed, which goes 50% further with my layers, are there other cost cutting feed options for them? I'm going to reply a lot on what they eat on pasture, because I only want to feed organic mash. Is that realistic? Raising meat chickens for a few families and still want to turn a profit without them paying $11/chicken. Thank you in advance.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Thx for the feedback n the coop. I agree w everyone saying that design is too small. The Mrs. likes it because it looks "farmy". 

I think a walk in is out of budget/skill level. Also im not sure if one would fit where i want to put the coop.

I am certainly open to ideas and comments on this though. i want to house 15ish birds. Ive budgeted up to about $500, but need to keep a run in that budget too

I'd look online for deer blinds. I got one decent from casnovia MI

The ravenna auction has birds regularly far worse than the pictured iffy ones. Sometimes birds don't make it to the end of the sale. I like to go to swaps/ auctions but look only unless i'm pretty sure then lots of observayion of that bird and the surrounding cages. Ivermectin for the whole flock plus newb if i buy.

Biosecurity- scared of merecks and bird flu. Mine are technically mutts but irreplacable as a breeding project. As it is i had to start over due to losing my original girls to impacted crop. Now i know birds need more fiber during season change, especially wet times so i know how to avoid that. If bird flu comes it isn't a matter of whether your birds get it, the feds will do a containment/ eliminatiin circle for miles around any known sick flocks, regardless if yours test clean. Already one scare here. So i am keeping to a few birds that can be housed indoors if need be.

Pigeons- i think i have the number of an older gentelman still that specializes in such things. Has a pole barn he keeps at 70 degrees for his exotics?? I can look and pm info if someone wants? He is careful who he sells to i think seemed very knowledgable. I have doves if anyone wants but they must go to quiet loving homes.

 

[chickflick]

If you aren't looking for city livin' I'd second avoiding Lansing. In my time living in Lansing I had a drive by behind me, someone shoot at a person walking down the sidewalk on my road, someone shot and killed a block away, someone else shot and killed 4 blocks away, house invaded once (No B and E, per se, it was a neighborhood kid stealing some video game stuff), vehicles invaded at least A FEW times, cops chasing people through neighbors lawns, homeless people living in abandon houses 2 places down from me, the list goes on.

Rural areas AROUND lansing inlude Bath, Charlotte, Potterville, Eaton Rapids, Diamondale, Laingsburg, and a few others I'm not remembering at the moment.

Property taxes in Lansing are pretty high, esp compared to what I pay now. The roads are terrible in Lansing as well. Also, Lansing collects income tax on top of your Fed/State.

What's bringing you to the area? I've lived around here for about 6.5 years now (wow time flies!). I owned my home in Lansing for what would have been 6 years this May. I sold it back in October.

Actually I lived in Delta TWP for 13 years before moving here becuz of DH's job. Now, lived here 16 yrs. 3 of my kids and all (9) of my grandkids are still in Lansing area.... Grand Ledge and Okemos. Time to go home. Like to be nearer the grandkids. It's hard to see them with all their gymnastics,cheer, soccer, dance schedules. Like to be there to share in their lives.

 

[ijon]

What is going on with this site? It is the slowest and jerker site of all my favorites.

 

[Stacykins]

What is going on with this site? It is the slowest and jerker site of all my favorites.

Much more probable that something is going on with your computer rather than the website. Have you run a virus scan recently? Have you run a malware scan recently? Do you have an ad blocker program running to keep unnecessary ads from slowing things down?

 

[dportfamfarm]

Bay City MI ~Back into chickens! Got a couple of Araucanas! Looking to add other colored egg layers to the flock...

Welcome!! Saginaw area small family farm here. Just got the coop moved to the correct location and we got our first fuzz balls!!

I have no idea what i am doing though!!

 

[Steve P]

Welcome!! Saginaw area small family farm here. Just got the coop moved to the correct location and we got our first fuzz balls!!

I have no idea what i am doing though!!

Welcome we are in between Midland and Shields. Don't worry about not knowing anything we don't know much either. Just don't be afraid to ask questions someone will have an answer for you.