Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Elyssia001]

Happy belated Birthday Lady. I'm sorry to hear about your "friends" on facebook.

When it comes to deep litter method, Mr Harvey Ussery (author of "The Small-Scale Poultry Flock") swears by dirt floors. He recommends that if you cannot use dirt floors for whatever reason, to make sure that your floors are then water tight to prevent them becoming included as part of the natural composting that is the vital mechanic behind the deep litter method.

I don't mean to spout of like a book worm, so I hope no one gets mad at me for quoting from something I read instead of personal experience.

 

[snowflake]

Hi everyone

to all the new MI, posters this is a nice place to be

So yesterday we picked up a new roo from Trefoil. Here is a pick of him, he is doing great! Thanks again Tre!

Like your roo he looks a lot like my EE sweet Grace

I don't mean to spout of like a book worm, so I hope no one gets mad at me for quoting from something I read instead of personal experience.

we all use info gathered from other places. any and all info is welcome. try what you like and leave the rest.

I loved that book, but I am still a little softy and have a hard time with culling old and sick birds. I agree it is the best way to have a strong healthy flock, I just need to toughen up some.


got some Christmas taken down this AM, I will leave some up for a coupe more weeks, I like Christmas

 

[snowflake]

Besjoux, try the Amish, if there are any in your area they do a good job and are reasonably priced. I also have heard of a guy that will come to you, might have been on craigslist, I would check in the spring.
what kind of meat birds are you thinking of getting??

 

[MIchickens]

MIchickens- It looks great to start the chicks in the first few weeks with the divider in, then after that let them have the whole brooder, while you are doing that, make a lid or two to keep them from flying out.
When are your chicks arriving?
Edit to add-
When you are changing the bedding, just move the chicks, feeders, waterer, and heat source to the other divided part of the brooder that is already clean. It would be much easier
for you that way.

I should be getting them around the 28th. I can hardly wait. I have wanted chickens for years.

Thanks to all of you for your advice.

 

[1muttsfan]

I am starting to plan my spring breeding pens, and came to the realization that I will have to reduce not only the number od chickens that I have but the breeds as well. I have a really lovely trio of mille fluer D'Uccle that are available to go at a trio only - they were hatched out this last summer and the pullets have not started laying yet. They are sweet little birds, and the roo is a little camera hog. You have seen them before in my pics, but here are a few to remind you:





I am in no hurry for them to go and may be able to arrange transportation down to the Lansing area at some point, as we are pretty far north for most people. PM me if interested.

 

[chickflick]

I have a wood floor in my coops. I don't like doing the deep litter method. I tried it one winter, think it was the coldest winter we had in a long time and it was too cold to go out there and clean every day. Anyways, did not like it. I try and scoop it up under the roosts every day.

Well, folks. Today is the day. I'm gonna head to Lansing today and make the reservations for the park for Chickenstock. I should be home around 3:30. I'm hoping for the 22nd of June.

Have a good day, suppose to be sunny and I see no wind.

 

[taprock]

Lady - whatever type Tartan is he is sure cute!

Ummm I lost my quote so I'm not sure who asked... button quail need at least 50 degrees. So in Michigan pretty much indoor birds. Ya need a pair??


I have made a chicken resolution for the year although not sure if I can keep it. I said I wouldn't buy chicks or birds this year, only eggs. However, I didn't say how many eggs I would buy! I've got my list started!

 

[SillyChicken]

Happy Birthday Lady... if they unfriend you solely for that reason, then they weren't friends and you're better off without them.


Wasn't there a few processors in the area..... try doing a search on BYC. I know there have been a few names tossed around for processors.

Question for those using sand in the coops. Do you only use sand? How deep is it? Do you use a kitty scoop to clean it? Mine is not set up where I can use poop boards. And straw doesn't do that good a job. I also have a wood, unsealed floor and I don't like it. One of my other coops has a wood floor with linoleum tiles and it's a breeze to clean up. Turkey coop is dirt. I prefer dirt over the other floor. I'm considering using sand in the one with the wood floor.

MIchicks, I agree with farmer, use half to start and as they get bigger open it up. At first you won't need a cover, but as soon as they figure out how to fly, they'll try to get out so you'll need a lid of some sort. I would also put the water/food up on blocks or something cause it will get nasty really fast!

I noticed it seemed lighter out this morning.. maybe just wishful thinking. I almost hope we don't have a melt or warm up, cause then I'll see the enormity of poopage my 4 mastiffs have left in the yard for me to clean up!!

 

[ladyrsanti]

The vinyl is definitely looking like a winner. Like I said before, I'm totally committed to the deep litter method. It's so low maintenance, almost no maintence. I think I would buy a roll of vinyl though, rather than the tiles, to prevent any (inevitable)moisture from seeping through.

But say I went with dirt, would I just build the foundation and work from there, leaving the ground untouched? Or would it be best to add dirt, build it up, tamp it down? I would worry about moisture being an issue. The new coop would not be on the highest ground.

P.S. Tartan is a Jacob wether. He's a sweety

 

[gladahmae]

Well the combining went OK last night. Only a little lood drawn when a comb got pecked. The 2 youngest pullets are hiding under the nest boxes to avid getting beat up. I added an extra feeder to hopefully mitigate any food-guarding issues. I should probably go check on them soon. I'm trying to let them figure everything out on their own, but I have a feeling that the white rock and the barred rock are going to be the bullies of the group.