Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

This year's chicks: Chantecler and Chantecler/ Sussex mixes

I like the white ones!
Cockerel on left?
Which are mixes?

 

[SunshineMary]

...how old are they before they start roosting? Mine are about 10 weeks and they all still just pile up in a corner.

We are having that problem too. We have two nice roosting areas in their 10 x 10 coop:

However, instead of roosting, they just form a cuddle puddle in one corner.

Based on a suggestion we read on BYC, we tried going down after dark and putting them on the roosts. However, they woke up enough to jump down and go back to the corner. I want them to roost so that their droppings go on a dropping board in order to keep the coop cleaner!

 

[Folly's place]

It just takes time for the chicks to figure out about roosting, because they don't have adults to show them how. Try placing them on the roosts a few more times too. My roosts are tree limbs or saplings, 2" to 4" diameter, bark on. Mary

 

[Folly's place]

The white Chanteclers have the yellow legs, so the three birds standing are purebreds. The bird laying down is one of the mixes, with white legs (from the Speckled Sussex) and a few gold flecked feathers coming in. The mixes actually are going to be wonderful, and all need to move on. I'll try for more pictures of them. Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Two of the SS/ Chantie pullets; Mary

 

[aart]

We are having that problem too. We have two nice roosting areas in their 10 x 10 coop:





However, instead of roosting, they just form a cuddle puddle in one corner.

Based on a suggestion we read on BYC, we tried going down after dark and putting them on the roosts. However, they woke up enough to jump down and go back to the corner. I want them to roost so that their droppings go on a dropping board in order to keep the coop cleaner!

Roost is pretty narrow...2x4 wide side up is what I use.
Even if birds are little yet, and play on narrow roosts,
something wider to sleep on will feel more stable and comfy.
Don't put them on the roosts until well after dark, if they can see they'll move, keep your head light / flash light pointed away from them. Hold wings to body, get feet firmly on roost, then slowly let go with a little pat on back and soothing words. A few nights to a week of that should do the trick.

 

[aart]

Two of the SS/ Chantie pullets; Mary

Nice, I'm smitten with that Chantie boy in the other pic....maybe because most my birds are partridge....or because he looks like a jungle fowl in stature.

 

[snowflake]

welcome all!!

love all the birds, very pretty

I have a non chicken question.............we have been seeing a large yellow butterfly with horizontal black stripes, can not find it on line, anyone guess what it could be,. If we see it again tomorrow I will try to get a pic..

 

[WalnutHill]

welcome all!!

love all the birds, very pretty

I have a non chicken question.............we have been seeing a large yellow butterfly with horizontal black stripes, can not find it on line, anyone guess what it could be,. If we see it again tomorrow I will try to get a pic..

like this?




http://www.gardenswithwings.com/butterfly/Anise Swallowtail/index.html

 

[Folly's place]

There are so few butterflies and moths, compared to summers in northern Wisconsin many years ago. Very sad. Mary