Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

I was at the alpine store yesterday and it was slightly rearranged with clothing, but nothing major. They had flock raiser on the shelf from June!!! Not acceptable. Went to Lowell this morning and they had October stock… much better

Yes, mine is still stock from Aug03......and there were a bunch of them.
I'm lucky to get anything less than 2 weeks old.

 

[Sally PB]

I agree lady!!

So... when and where? I'm about 10 miles from Lowell, 16-18 from Ada. I go into GR every other week or so for a chiro appointment.

I'm retired, so my schedule is pretty flexible.

 

[1muttsfan]

Not that I noticed week before last, but we are in the back of beyond

 

[Sally PB]

but we are in the back of beyond

Oh, I like that phrase! Sounds a lot more poetic and polite than BFE, which is how people describe where I live.

 

[aart]

more poetic and polite than BFE

That would be BFUP in Mutts case...sorry I couldn't resist

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Anyone else's TSC been majorly rearranged?

Yes. The one on Whitehall and the one on Hart as well. Could barely find things. Thanksgiving or Christmas re-assembly? Who knows...

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Michelle, the coop is pretty much completed. Just paint and maybe some molds outside. The run still needs half of the roof.

However, I wanted to consult with all this. The coop is 8.5 x 13.5 and the run is 15.5 x 27. Can I still fit 6 more chickens? I was offered 6 young laying pullets today. Went to see them first with no compromise. They look better than my girls. They eat non gmo Dumor pellets and their poop is so nice compared to the plaster that my girls drop because they will not eat the pellets. Of course, We will have to rearrange the sleeping area because 12 will not fit. Thought about kind of a ladder roost. Just 2 but not exactly one over the other. Any advise? 3 are just like Phoebe and the other 3 are Golden Lace Wyndotte just a like the Sebrights but bigger. Read they were of good temper and reliable layers.

I like going to Grand Rapids. I buy at Burton Meats all of my Puertorican needs and then go to El Rincon Restaurant. A Dominican/ Puertorican food. The problem is that I get home full and tired from the trip, that all I want to do is go to bed, lol

 

[aart]

Yes. The one on Whitehall and the one on Hart as well. Could barely find things. Thanksgiving or Christmas re-assembly? Who knows...

I don't know why....didn't ask.
Answer probably would be, because Corporate Said So.

The coop is 8.5 x 13.5 and the run is 15.5 x 27. Can I still fit 6 more chickens?

For 12 total?
Math works for space.... but you'll have to integrate,
which means making separate sections in both coop and run.
Risks bringing pests and/or disease in.
Sure you want to deal with that?

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Frankiegirl]

Michelle, the coop is pretty much completed. Just paint and maybe some molds outside. The run still needs half of the roof.

However, I wanted to consult with all this. The coop is 8.5 x 13.5 and the run is 15.5 x 27. Can I still fit 6 more chickens? I was offered 6 young laying pullets today. Went to see them first with no compromise. They look better than my girls. They eat non gmo Dumor pellets and their poop is so nice compared to the plaster that my girls drop because they will not eat the pellets. Of course, We will have to rearrange the sleeping area because 12 will not fit. Thought about kind of a ladder roost. Just 2 but not exactly one over the other. Any advise? 3 are just like Phoebe and the other 3 are Golden Lace Wyndotte just a like the Sebrights but bigger. Read they were of good temper and reliable layers.

I like going to Grand Rapids. I buy at Burton Meats all of my Puertorican needs and then go to El Rincon Restaurant. A Dominican/ Puertorican food. The problem is that I get home full and tired from the trip, that all I want to do is go to bed, lol

I’ll meet you at the restaurant!!! That sounds yummy. Who’s in??

 

[Frankiegirl]

So... when and where? I'm about 10 miles from Lowell, 16-18 from Ada. I go into GR every other week or so for a chiro appointment.

I'm retired, so my schedule is pretty flexible.

You tell me when you’re coming to town and I can meet you. I’m still working from home so I’m pretty flexible. Or I can meet you half way somewhere. I’m pretty flexible. Let’s find a date and make it happen!!