Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Tessa's Mom]

Hi everyone! I'm new here, after lurking for a while. I'm looking to start a small (5-ish) flock of hens for eggs, I'm thinking a mix of Easter Eggers and Dominiques. I'm a planner, and am thinking I'd like to get my chicks this coming mid-February, so they're ready to go out to their coop in April. My husband and I fish up north most weekends, so we get pretty busy around that time, and I'd like to have our babies feathered out and in their coop before May! Plus, then we may have eggs by late summer. I don't love the idea of shipping chicks, so I had planned to go with Meyer Hatchery in OH and make the 3.5 hour drive to pick them up. Does anyone know of closer alternatives that offer sexed chicks as early as February? I really don't want to take a gamble on straight run with so few chicks (while accepting that even sexed chicks come with a certain error rate). I found a hatchery in Zeeland (just an hour and a half from me) but they no longer allow people to pick chicks up at their hatchery. I'm in the Perry area if it helps, but willing to drive a few hours. Thank you so much and I look forward to new MI chicken friends.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!!! I'm also in the Perry area, so we're neighbors! Plan on coming to the party next Saturday; Chickenstock, a nice place to meet and maybe find some chicks or chickens sooner. Mary

 

[Tessa's Mom]

Hi Mary! Thank you so much for the welcome. Hooray for neighbors! I'm sure I'll have many questions for you as we start our chicken journey. Unfortunately, my husband and I will be in Traverse City for our anniversary this coming weekend, so we won't be able to make it. It sounds like a blast though! I stalked that thread a bit earlier and it looks so fun! Also, we have a big trip planned abroad this fall, which is why we're waiting until early next year to start our chicken family. We have family that are willing to watch our chickens on long weekends, but I feel like two weeks would be pushing their generosity. Do you hatch your own chicks, or do you have a recommendation for where to source them?

 

[RaZ]

Welcome!!! I'm also in the Perry area, so we're neighbors! Plan on coming to the party next Saturday; Chickenstock, a nice place to meet and maybe find some chicks or chickens sooner. Mary

So why haven't you found a place for me in your neighborhood? What? You don't want a chicken criminal close by?

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi Tessa's Mom, welcome to BYC and the Michigan thread

 

[Tessa's Mom]

Hi Tessa's Mom, welcome to BYC and the Michigan thread

Thank you!!

 

[chickflick]

Wynette is unable to make the picnic this year. But, Nancy is coming and bringing lav orpingtons chicks and Jubilee boys to sell. Kathy Pearl is coming, no chicks but lots of equipment to sell. She and her husband had to get out of the chicken business because of health reasons. Hope to see you all at the picnic!!

 

[uchytil]

Dislike

 

[RaZ]

Wynette is unable to make the picnic this year. But, Nancy is coming and bringing lav orpingtons chicks and Jubilee boys to sell. Kathy Pearl is coming, no chicks but lots of equipment to sell. She and her husband had to get out of the chicken business because of health reasons. Hope to see you all at the picnic!!

Ask her if she has any fertile eggs. I would like to make my broody hens happy.

Don't forget to bring plants i you have them. I got these beautiful irises last year.

 

[chickflick]

Done, RaZ. Will let you know when she gets back to me