Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

I don't have a sarcastic bone in my body.

I really do love living here. I'll be happy when the old houses are sold off and I'm completely quit of the city.

I didn't even think of a barn cat. I've had a couple of people try to give me one. I have 2 cats but they have been indoor cats for the entire lives. They don't even go near the open door. Maybe I'll take a ride the shelter and see if they have any cat that needs an outdoor home. Or maybe try a dose of .22 on the little buggers.

My hand is still swollen and uncoordinated so I might be a little shaky on the trigger. At least it's getting better. I cut wood yesterday and quit when it started to feel achy. Didn't get around to splitting it. Maybe today, I don't mind working in the rain. But first I need to figure out this water softener.

 

[wcbpolish]

I didn't even think of a barn cat. I've had a couple of people try to give me one. Maybe I'll take a ride the shelter and see if they have any cat that needs an outdoor home.

Maybe check Craig's list?

 

[chickflick]

Solden's around here have a flyer that states they are looking for homes for "working" cats.
Hope the market for houses is good in the lovely town of Garden City

 

[1muttsfan]

Garden City

 

[RaZ]

Garden City

I think I'll offer the GC house to a broker. Let them turn it in to a Section 8 rental.

 

[1muttsfan]

Just deserts

 

[Leahs Mom]

@gladahmae
We had skunk under our deck at the house. We set live traps with a tarp already on the trap, weighted down so it couldn't blow away. Only the door end was open. That way, when you catch the skunk, it's already covered and they're not alerted when you go to get it.

We picked up the trap with the tarp on it, put it in the back of the pickup truck, and drove to destination. Not a problem with spraying. We did this 3 times!!!!

Kept the tarp on when releasing, opened the door, put a stick in it and moved quickly away from that end of the trap.

This was the first time I'd ever seen a skunk run. (Usually they're sauntering around like they own the place - because they do.) Opened those doors and they ran away as quickly as they could.

 

[gladahmae]

Alrighty. I need to start planning these coop renovations so I don't get cabin fever (too much sunshine, but it's still cold, and both icy and muddy) since I can't actually START any of these projects for another month at least. I like to have it all planned out....right down to the cut list so i don't buy lumber I don't need. This is appoximately my main coop right now. It's in 10x16 shed. Looking at the pic, left to right is around 10ft, and up and down is around 8ft. Door to enter the coop is between the nest boxes. There is also a window above the pop door. My biggest issue is that they constantly roost in the nest boxes and in the rafters (the latter I'll be correcting with a ceiling once we get soffit/facia put up this year....I didn't want to give the starlings any more places to build nests until that was done). Pop door is 8in above floor level. Nest boxes are about 18in off the floor, and the roost bars are 30in off the floor. I keep about 6in of pine shavings in the coop.

What changes, if any, would you make?

 

[Folly's place]

Leah's mom, it's illegal to relocate skunks and most other critters, except either on your own property, or to another private property within your county, with landowner permission. Don't trap if you won't shoot!
Theres a real risk of these critters having rabies, or canine distemper, and they will try to get back to your property.
If they survive, then a trap-wise chicken killer is out there looking for more chickens.
It's a bad story all around.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Glad, I've a few ideas here.
What's wrong with roosting in the rafters? Chickens what high roosts, and there they are. Many of my birds do the same thing, with no problems.
Your roosts are low, and too close together for comfort. Try tree limbs or saplings, raise them a bit, and have them 14" to 18" apart.
How high up are the nest boxes? Do they roost on top of them, or is that impossible?
How many birds? Do you need six nest boxes? I wouldn't remove any, but is it the lowest ranking birds who roost there?
Mary