Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

Woweeee! Haven't been on since April and over 1,000 posts! Welcome to all the new members, congratulations for all the happy occasions, and sorry to hear of the sad ones. I'll scroll through the old posts a little later.

Anywho, added three chickens to my current flock of two. They were in a separated pen from 8-12 weeks, but now they're almost the same size (and running around/sleeping with the big girls), but my Welsummer will NOT accept them. We have to put the little girls in the big coop every night, still. She pecks at them every morning when they run out. And today, she pinned one down! I honestly don't know what to do next! *Any tips or tricks for my small flock?* I don't want to give away my pretty girl, but I need my little girls to feel safe too!

Thanks in advance! Almost Friday!

How long has it been that they've been together?
Maybe separate the bully, within sight, for a few days?
My one Wellie girl has had spates of extreme meanness....she's pretty middle of the pack now tho, but I have 16 birds.

 

[elizardbreath]

Just getting started with chickens up near the Straits of Mackinac, and wanted to say hi. I've only got three girls in the backyard, but the kids and I can't wait to get some eggs!

 

[Candy442]

Just getting started with chickens up near the Straits of Mackinac, and wanted to say hi. I've only got three girls in the backyard, but the kids and I can't wait to get some eggs!

Welcome to the Michigan thread! Let us know when you get that first egg, it may be a tiny one as the first ones are so look close

 

[Brennigan]

@aart -- we've been introducing them separately since mid-April and they've been sharing a space all day since mid-May. She's never drawn blood, just a few feathers. She's definitely the leader of the flock and the littles are afraid of her! Will separating her cause problems with her laying? I don't want to deny her her nesting box, but she's a bully!

 

[Brennigan]

Just getting started with chickens up near the Straits of Mackinac, and wanted to say hi. I've only got three girls in the backyard, but the kids and I can't wait to get some eggs!

Welcome! Husband and I started out with a few and got more this year...they are so fun! And educational!

 

[aart]

Just getting started with chickens up near the Straits of Mackinac, and wanted to say hi. I've only got three girls in the backyard, but the kids and I can't wait to get some eggs!

Welcome!
Your screen name is a hilarious play on elizabeth

 

[aart]

@aart -- we've been introducing them separately since mid-April and they've been sharing a space all day since mid-May. She's never drawn blood, just a few feathers. She's definitely the leader of the flock and the littles are afraid of her! Will separating her cause problems with her laying? I don't want to deny her her nesting box, but she's a bully!

Well, depends on your set up, what you have available to separate her in and maybe a portable nest there...and how bad the bullying is.
If she is drawing blood and pinning them down/trapping them, then she needs to come out IMO.

I have some terrors in my flock that everyone avoids with fear in their eyes.......
.....but I have lots of space, more birds(to spread the 'love') and the bullies don't chase them down and try to eat them repeatedly.
The picked upons steer clear or hide out.

 

[Brennigan]

Just curious if everyone names your chickens? I've had mine about 2 months now, I think I have their personalities figured out. Having a tough time coming up with names. My daughter named my barred rock, Oreo, of course. (Daughter is 24 yrs old, lol) I have 1 red cross who is very unsure, not mean or anything, just likes to hang back and watch everyone else. Suggestions?

YES! Naming them was one of my favorite parts!

Do you have a picture of your red cross?

Mine are:

Welsummer: Leven (Dutch for "life)
Buff: Consuela
Light Brahma: Bahama Mama
Easter Egger: Ethel
Black Australorp: Beyonce

I would name the red cross...wait for it....Clara.

love it!

 

[taprock]

Just getting started with chickens up near the Straits of Mackinac, and wanted to say hi. I've only got three girls in the backyard, but the kids and I can't wait to get some eggs!

Yea! Another far northerner! Welcome!

I've had an enormous gartner snake hanging around my chick run the last week. Huge as in two inches around. So last night my DH dug him out of the retaining wall and I rehomed him to another rock pile farther from the chicks. My little polish are finally getting their 'do's and they are adorable.

I am also sick of the broody hens and broken eggs. I have about a dozen grumps right now. Yesterday my son was showing my nephew how three of them were sitting on each other.

 

[Czarben]

I have some questions for those of you selling eggs. Do you need any sort of license? What do you do to prepare them for sale? Do you clean and refrigerate?