Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Folly's place]

So sorry, it is part of good husbandry, but it's hard. Mary

 

[wannahomestead]

So sorry, it is part of good husbandry, but it's hard. Mary

I agree. Ultimately I have to protect the flock as a whole. It just took far too long for him to pass. I'm going to be changing my approach in the future.

 

[zndzant]

Hi Zn, welcome to the Michigan thread.

Generally you will want to provide around 4 square feet of floor space in the coop per bird. Remember that in bad weather the birds will often be confined inside for long periods of time. Crowding increases the incidence of bad behaviour such as picking, and increases the risk of health issues.

Thanks for the welcome. I was afraid that 10 would be too many. I should have stayed with my original plan of 6,no more than 8 in allowing for chick mortality. A bit disheartening to know my coops already too small. The lumber is being delivered tomorrow so there's no way to change course now.

 

[aart]

Quote: It is hard.
Was that your first 'harvest'?
Plans to harvest more for meat in the future....or just occasional cull harvests?

 

[snowflake]

Rough evening for me. I had to send my drake to freezer camp today. He's been ripping feathers our of one of my chickens. He also has started attacking and trying to drown my young ducks. It's a sad day for me because he's one that I rescued after my coyote attack. The actual.....process didn't go so smooth either

so sorry about your drake, it is the part I hate the most also never gets easier

if your coop is a little small you can help that situation by providing a large covered ,protected run area. I have had over 30 birds in a 8x16 with no problems but I free range in good weather, and have a large covered run with winter protection from wind and snow. my food and water are outside, so the birds have to go out even in winter.

 

[gladahmae]

W


if your coop is a little small you can help that situation by providing a large covered ,protected run area.

I agree with this. i have crammed too many birds into our "small coop" (which is around 6x8) but I also tarped the roof and put clear plastic on the sides of the run for winter and didn't really have any problems. It's not *IDEAL* but it is workable.


I had to be strong yesterday when i went into TSC to get dog food. They had a pair of KC ducklings. Must. Not. Buy. More. Ducks.

 

[Folly's place]

TSC in Williamston had a dozen or so KC ducklings, and I managed to leave them there. NO DUCKS here, right? I did get six more chicks at FF&H a few days ago, they are EE's, supposedly pullets, so I got extra to make up for the cockrels likely included. So only 36 chicks right now, with another new broody hen... It's chicken math for sure. I will be bringing birds to Chickenstock. Mary

 

[wannahomestead]

It is hard.
Was that your first 'harvest'?
Plans to harvest more for meat in the future....or just occasional cull harvests?

Not my first, but still one of THE first. I think this was my 4th bird. I seem to struggle w/ the ducks though. The rooster I did went real quick. The 3 ducks so far have been more difficult.

Regarding the coop suggestion, the issue I was running into w/ this drake, is he would still attack, even while free-ranging. He was just mean. It sucks because he was quite the handsome duck too. I originally wanted to do some hatches from him and my other pekin, but I don't have the ability to do that anytime in the near future.

He cleaned up at 3lb, 2oz. I thought he was bigger than that.

 

[zndzant]

Welcome to Mi BYC a fun place to be


Welcome to Mi BYC, lots of nice helpful people her
so sorry about your drake, it is the part I hate the most also never gets easier


if your coop is a little small you can help that situation by providing a large covered ,protected run area. I have had over 30 birds in a 8x16 with no problems but I free range in good weather, and have a large covered run with winter protection from wind and snow. my food and water are outside, so the birds have to go out even in winter.

I agree with this.  i have crammed too many birds into our "small coop" (which is around 6x8) but I also tarped the roof and put clear plastic on the sides of the run for winter and didn't really have any problems.  It's not *IDEAL* but it is workable.


I had to be strong yesterday when i went into TSC to get dog food.  They had a pair of KC ducklings.  Must. Not. Buy. More. Ducks.

Thanks for the advice.

So sorry about your Drake. That's the part I'm not looking forward to in the future, but as was said, it's part of the process.

I would like to partially tarp the run. It will be 8'x12' with 6'sides,so I can walk in. The run will be going east to west so tarping a portion on the north side top should give them some room outside, even if I. Have to shovel some snow for them.

 

[Grammi]

Hi All, I am looking outside to the wonderful sun!! A little chilly but so nice. Have a great week. Gail