Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Herducks]

lol. i think if you have a heat lamp in the coop, to take the edge off, you could move them, they look old enough to me. When I moved mine out last winter, i did put their heat lamp in with them for the rest of the winter. I did also open the coop door so they could see out and start getting used to the idea.

I did not want to kick them out during this really cold snap. 5 degrees tomorrow! But I am putting them out Sat. morning. That way I am home to keep an eye on them and make sure they are not shivering. 23 of them are ready to be outside.

 

[naglady]

This is why I need it to warm up soon! I am over run with babies in the basement!!

they look pretty happy there.. lol

 

[Opa]

I just came in from watering the birds and gathering eggs. The temperature is 13 and with the wind chill -3. I have a 16'x16' run that I enclosed and a small door gives them accss to the garden. As long as it isn't too windy they will venture out to the garden. On windy day, regardless of the temps they rarely stay in the coop.

I don't see a problem with anyone seling items to Chickenstock.

 

[chickflick]

Last winter was a total different story!! Did we have a winter???

It's so freakin cold right now, I would not put chicks outside without a light. Maybe they'd be ok, but I would loose sleep worrying about them. Man, it's cold!

If the guy wants to come to chickenstock to sell chicken stuff, I see no problem in that. Might help get someone started.... chicks, and all the supplies in one place!

 

[ladyrsanti]

I just came in from watering the birds and gathering eggs. The temperature is 13 and with the wind chill -3. I have a 16'x16' run that I enclosed and a small door gives them accss to the garden. As long as it isn't too windy they will venture out to the garden. On windy day, regardless of the temps they rarely stay in the coop.

I don't see a problem with anyone seling items to Chickenstock.

Oh, I'm coming to where you are! It's 8 degrees here with a wind chill of -14 and still blowing and snowing. My chickens wouldn't even try to go outside, wouldn't go anywhere near the door. The sheep will walk outside and walk right back in. The cats won't leave the barn either. It's hunker-down and keep warm time.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

The following link is to his eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/rturner092656?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

I was eyeballing some of his stuff last night! Particularly the humidity pads and the incubators...
TSC has little giant still airs for $45... His are Hova bators... not sure of the differences between the 2.

DID I MENTION.......SEVEN....SEVEN DAYS TILL I GET MY CHICKS...AHHH...AHHH....AHHHH.

We do that all the time in my family!!!

 

[naglady]

Oh, I'm coming to where you are! It's 8 degrees here with a wind chill of -14 and still blowing and snowing. My chickens wouldn't even try to go outside, wouldn't go anywhere near the door. The sheep will walk outside and walk right back in. The cats won't leave the barn either. It's hunker-down and keep warm time.

its 8 degrees here in oscoda.. snowing and blowing,,

 

[Herducks]

I was eyeballing some of his stuff last night! Particularly the humidity pads and the incubators...
TSC has little giant still airs for $45... His are Hova bators... not sure of the differences between the 2.

We do that all the time in my family!!!

I have little giant and hovabators and MUCH prefer my hovabator. It is much more consistant. My LG is prone to temp spikes and dips and is very hard to get set where I want it.

 

[mrcush]

Hey everyone. I know I seem to just bounce in this thread when I have a question but I have been really into supporting local and Michigan companies for a few years now and was wondering if anyone could send me in a direction of a local (oakland county or surrounding areas) that makes their own chicken feed. I would love to support my local businesses if at all possible. Thanks!

 

[BentoMinion]

I have to laugh, I actually have a similar question. Part of why I want to raise chicken/quail is to give my family some GMO free eggs and meat. Yes, I know quail do not produce much meat, but I am fine with that. I think of it as portion control. I have been reading posts on the board about making your own chicken feed, but it seems for more hobby feeding where you are not dependent on the eggs or meat. I have no problems feeding kitchen scraps, I know my grandma did and she was dependent on them for eggs and meat (we eat fairly healthy so....) but she also fed a mix of her own to the chickens. To bad he does not remember it anymore. :-(

Does anyone know anyone in west Michigan that ha a GMO free feed (Corn and soy are the main GMO culprits)? Or does anyone have a good feed mix recipe? I have no fear of it taking more time. I have no problem doing my own sprout. I actually have a good spot in our "man cave" that gets excellent sun year round that I am buying a shelf for to sprout year round. Thanks for any tips. I am just trying to get my poop in a group before I do start to build anything or order any eggs.