Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Frankiegirl]

My new chicks! Unfortunately, one of the Jubilee Orpingtons died between midnight and 5 am. RIP, tiny chick.

Top to bottom: May, Widget, Stormy.

View attachment 2707179

L to R: Stormy, Widget, May. Mom just cleaned in here. Let's check it out.

View attachment 2707183

This tuckered them out. They went back under the heat plate and fell asleep. Growing is a serious workout.

What cutie pies!!! I am sorry one didn’t make it. They are so sweet looking…enjoy them.

 

[Frankiegirl]

I planted some annual rye grass today in the areas that. Eventually will be lawn. I read that it adds nutrients to the soil and since I wasn’t planning to do a lawn this year I figured it cant hurt to try it. It was broadcasted yesterday into the soil and watered along with the rain today…the stuff is already sprouting!! I know it wont last long, but at least it is something green in place of weeds and will give some sort of idea what grass will look like. It’s a sand pit now…we will see how long it lasts.

Also, the littles turned 3 weeks today and they are active little buggers! They are already sleeping on a perch, their feed and water has been raised and Ginger figured out how to fly out of the enclosure. Their pack n play reminds me of AT&T Stadium in Arlington with the retractable roof! I should have sized up on the p/n/p but they will be going into the little coop in a couple of weeks which is in the garage. At what age can they go in there? I was thinking 5 weeks. Also, I am considering a monitored visitation with the bigs this week. I can simply carry the p/n/p out to the coop which all of the sides are visible to the bigs without them being able to escape or the bigs going after them. What do you all think?

I was also thinking about closing off the coop door and letting the littles scamper around in there or perhaps put a cover in front of the door to let them out into the run without the big girls getting to them.

So many firsts…..

 

[Frankiegirl]

My new chicks! Unfortunately, one of the Jubilee Orpingtons died between midnight and 5 am. RIP, tiny chick.

Top to bottom: May, Widget, Stormy.

View attachment 2707179

L to R: Stormy, Widget, May. Mom just cleaned in here. Let's check it out.

View attachment 2707183

This tuckered them out. They went back under the heat plate and fell asleep. Growing is a serious workout.

I love them and cant wait to see how the Jubilee Orp develops. I have a lavender Orp that seems to be the alpha of the group. She’s huge. @RaZ ….you have Lav Orps if I remember correctly. I have been reading that Orps are known for going broody. What happens if you have no eggs to hatch??

 

[aart]

At what age can they go in there? I was thinking 5 weeks.

Sounds good.
As hot as it's been, might be able to move them out now with no heat....use a huddle box for night.

Also, I am considering a monitored visitation with the bigs this week. I can simply carry the p/n/p out to the coop which all of the sides are visible to the bigs without them being able to escape or the bigs going after them. What do you all think?

Excellent idea!

 

[Sally PB]

Did a nice job of raising the humidity to nasty.

Yup. Sitting at 96% out there, and very foggy.

 

[uchytil]

Hi John! I'm doing great! The rabbits are still in with the chickens. lol They all enjoy free ranging. Enjoying the warmer weather, finally. We're camping. Going to St Joe this weekend.
How are you doing?

We're good over here. Working mostly on the farm. Staying out of trouble for the most part.

 

[uchytil]

Remember the red kick balls/dodge balls? Cindy brought one home from TracSup yesterday, I kicked it once, the border collie grabbed it, popped a hole in it, game over, lol. It was for the grands and us. Guess all the doggies will be exempt from these games.

 

[Sally PB]

I kicked it once, the border collie grabbed it, popped a hole in it,

That's what our first Doberman thought you should do with a basketball. Wrap your paws around it, and gnaw till ssssssssssssssssssssss.

 

[aart]

Remember the red kick balls/dodge balls? Cindy brought one home from TracSup

I do...and saw them there too.
Didn't buy one but it sure brought back memories.

 

[RaZ]

I love them and cant wait to see how the Jubilee Orp develops. I have a lavender Orp that seems to be the alpha of the group. She’s huge. @RaZ ….you have Lav Orps if I remember correctly. I have been reading that Orps are known for going broody. What happens if you have no eggs to hatch??

I did have a lavender orp roo. That's the one that the neighbor used to tease. He has been gone for a couple of years now. I would like to move to an all lavender flock eventually. I do have 4 lavender/grey hens. They were called sapphire gems when I got them as pullet chicks at TSC a couple of years ago. Good layers.

Currently washing eggs. I rarely need to do this but the past few days the eggs are all yucky. Had a broken egg in both nests. I'll go out later and deep clean the coop. Temp is 82 with index of 87. Humidity is 69%. We didn't get the rain that was predicted so I'll be watering the gardens again.