Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[wannahomestead]

Well this has been the most brutal week of my life. My furnace was condemned due to a cracked heat exchanger. I also found out almost simultaneously that I was being laid off from work, after over 5 years with the company, and almost 10 years of continuous employment. All of this the day before my 30th birthday.

Today was the topper on that cake. I found my first rooster from my original flock, laying dead in the run. I don't know what happened to him. I don't know if he froze to death, or what.

I'm curious if there is anything I can do with his feathers. I'd like to try and save them for something, since they're super soft. Perhaps rooster feathers can bring me some better luck after this week. It's the year of the rooster after all, so that should mean something, right?

 

[WalnutHill]

Yep that's Gail's handy work. Glambka. I have a few of her artworks in my living room. Outstanding stuff. I asked after CS16 and heard she was doing well but could not attend. Hopefully this year. I have pictures of hew stuff over the course of a few years. She usually likes to buy turkey eggs, etc. for her work. Maybe she'll see this, or someone who knows, her, or someone could PM her. Never hurts to ask.

I haven't talked to Gail since last summer. All my surplus turkey eggs go to her. She does exceptionally lovely work!

 

[WalnutHill]

Well this has been the most brutal week of my life. My furnace was condemned due to a cracked heat exchanger. I also found out almost simultaneously that I was being laid off from work, after over 5 years with the company, and almost 10 years of continuous employment. All of this the day before my 30th birthday.

Today was the topper on that cake. I found my first rooster from my original flock, laying dead in the run. I don't know what happened to him. I don't know if he froze to death, or what.

I'm curious if there is anything I can do with his feathers. I'd like to try and save them for something, since they're super soft. Perhaps rooster feathers can bring me some better luck after this week. It's the year of the rooster after all, so that should mean something, right?

About 20 years ago I took the cape (skin from the back from head to base of tail, not including wings) from a particularly lovely EE and cured it. It still hangs on my wall in the sunroom today.

You need to cut the skin off, lay it feather side down on sawdust (to absorb fat), and scrape as much fat and tissue from the inside of the skin without cutting through or damaging the feather follicles.

Once done, cure with borax and salt. I don't recollect the exact proportions so research that.

While still pliable, use zip ties to secure the cape to a piece of hardware cloth. This will allow it to try flat and not get moldy.

Dry thoroughly. Use fine pine sawdust on the feather side to degrease if necessary. You can remove feathers at your convenience or simply keep the skin once dry.

 

[aart]

Well this has been the most brutal week of my life. My furnace was condemned due to a cracked heat exchanger. I also found out almost simultaneously that I was being laid off from work, after over 5 years with the company, and almost 10 years of continuous employment. All of this the day before my 30th birthday.

Today was the topper on that cake. I found my first rooster from my original flock, laying dead in the run. I don't know what happened to him. I don't know if he froze to death, or what.

OyVey....ShittyDay.....so sorry for your troubles, hang in there.
Here's to hoping the next decade is better...Happy(?) Birthday.

 

[1muttsfan]

Wow what bad luck! It would be very unusual for a healthy bird with access to shelter to freeze to death, so likely something else was wrong with your rooster. And honestly it's a good thing they found out about that heat exchanger before somebody became ill or even died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Still !

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry! Best of luck job hunting, and it sure will be a memorable birthday! OyVey for sure. Mary

 

[snowflake]

well wannah, that was indeed a bad week, sorry about your rooster, furnace, and.. job loss, that is never good but hopefully something better is on the horizon....actually 30 is not a bad age, enjoy it, before you know it you blink and 70 will be here. Hang in there,

 

[yochickiemomma]

I am located in Jackson. If I still have the birds come spring I will let you know when we get some chicks. I'm actually thinking I may try to find a forever home for my RPs though. I was given the three birds with a no kill clause and to be honest I prefer to just raise chickens. So we will see how things go!

I completely understand. I had my first go at raising turkeys last summer. Unfortunately I didnt realize they were fast growing meat turkeys when I bought them. I wanted a couple for pets. I don't know If hubby will agree to me getting more this year I already have my hands full with two coops, a full time job and a house Im trying to finish so we can sell it in the next couple years.

 

[Jim121898]

I completely understand. I had my first go at raising turkeys last summer. Unfortunately I didnt realize they were fast growing meat turkeys when I bought them. I wanted a couple for pets. I don't know If hubby will agree to me getting more this year I already have my hands full with two coops, a full time job and a house Im trying to finish so we can sell it in the next couple years.

Well the good thing about the Royal Palms is they don't tend to get real big. They are great birds, just a little bossy with the chickens. I will also say they're growing on me and hopefully once they start laying it will make more sense. I've been feeding them for 10 months with no return and as you know they can put the food away.

 

[bigmrg74]

Good day yesterday. Got 10 eggs from my flock of 12. nice to see a couple of my older girls firing up.