Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[swampducks]

Good morning.

How is everyone this fine almost sunny day? It's actually 27 here and slowly rising but the wind is a bit brisk. Luna and Ziggy love it (heck as long as I'm outside with them, they love anything), even the chickens seem perkier today. They're laying better too, for a few days there I was getting almost nothing and I've got around 18 laying hens. Haven't got much else to talk about other than DH re-arranged my kitchen for me this month. He swapped the fridge with the cabinets on the other end of the kitchen. He had to cut the counter shorter of course, and now all I've got for counter is a piece of plywood where the cabinet went, but as soon as I can make it to Home Depot I'll be getting tiles to match the island. Looking forward to that. Tiling is fun!

 

[snowflake]

what kind of water do you have? My daughter has the heat lamp directly aimed at the water on the other side of a fence in the coop , seems to work for her

last week I noticed a LOT of feed on the ground around the feeder, Had not had that problem for some time, noticed yesterday the feed seemed to have gone down a lot more then normal,

This AM my DH came up and said did you see the squirrel?(we are a ways from the woods and not to many come in to the open here) I said no, well He saw it go into the run under the cover were the birds hang out, then run around in the back of the run like it forgot how it got in...he said didn't seem to bother the rooster or hens a bit....... OK so problem solved now I know how is throwing all the food out and I was blaming it on the cross beak
SO today the run is closed and I am trying to watch for a return visit....a pair of red hawks circling yesterday , If it isn't 1 thing it is another

 

[tjbeckman]

Well, went and got a new round bale for the horses today, checked on the new batch again and they are starting to get the color back in the combs. Nemo is currently being moved between the laundry room and the bathroom. She seems to be feeling ok, Still hoping that she makes a full recovery. I am beyond ready for spring!!! UGHHH LOL

 

[MIchickens]

I need help Today!!!! Unfortunately I have been ordered to go on an almost no notice deployment for 6 months and I need to get rid of my chicks before I leave in a couple days. I will give them away free of charge to anybody that wants them. I will also give you all my feeders and waterers. I have some feed left and other niceties. I wanted to let you all know first before I have to put them on craigslist. If possible I need them gone today. I have 47 chicks total. look at my signature line for types.

I'm sorry this is such short notice....but I wasn't given much notice myself. They are 3.5 weeks old and very healthy. You can even have the brooder and lights they are kept in now. Be aware that the brooder is 4 foot by 8 foot long. I don't have a truck....otherwise I would just deliver them. So I apologize but you will have to pick them up.


I live near North Branch, MI My main crossroads are M-24 and M-90. My address is 67 E Castle Rd Fostoria, MI 48435. Time is of the essence so please let everyone you know that wants chicks and is willing to come out here. This is a first come first served basis...Sorry, but I don't have the time to hold them for someone else.


Give me a call if interested.....My name is Josh 810-338-4484.

 

[SillyChicken]

X 2!

I personally am getting my newest buckling from a farm that dam raises all the kids. The kids are socialized with humans, though, so they are friendly. But they know they are goats. I just don't want a buck who waggles his tongue at ME rather than the does he is supposed to be servicing. My current buck was also a dam raised laddie, and while he is super friendly, he knows not to make smelly goat love to my leg.

As for disbudding, it is a personal choice, but one you will need to make very soon. Doelings can have more time before their horn buds need to be done, but bucks, they need to be done much sooner or the buds get too big for burning. I personally am not a fan of horns. An accident between a horned goat and a not horned goat resulted in the death of the goat without horns. Also, I've been whacked with horns too, usually on accident. They may turn to itch themselves when I am near them and smack my leg. Also, when I had to pick up a horned goat one time, he threw his head back in protest, and nearly gored my eye. He only knocked my glasses off and scratched my temple. though.

And this is partly my concern, the wethers he will be penned with will have horns. I'm not sure if it will be in his best interest to de-horn him in this regard. I would love to keep him out with the other goats too,,, just not yet. He is very tiny and they have not been introduced... unfortunately we're not entirely set up yet for him to be outside.. probably by next weekend I'll get the new dog house moved and secure him in it. I am nervous putting him out with the doe or wethers cause I don't want him to get hurt. I prefer my does behavior, she's friendly, but not obnoxious... dam raised.

 

[SillyChicken]

I need help Today!!!! Unfortunately I have been ordered to go on an almost no notice deployment for 6 months

Darn you just got here!

Hope you find homes for them... please keep in touch.

 

[RIRJen]

Question for you all...

We normally don't use a heat lamp in the coop, so I don't know if this idea would work... We are going to be gone for one night (Approximately 24 hours gone). If it were warmer out, I wouldn't be worried about the chickens - their food and water would last. But with the cold, the water will freeze. I was thinking of giving them a heat lamp in the coop to keep their water from freezing - just while we are gone. What do you think? Would that work?

I made my own heated water bases...cost be about $6 to make them and they are life savers! All you need is any empty christmas tin (or any holiday...but the chickens don't like halloween...too scarey lol) and punch a hole in the side. (preferably with metal clippers...not your hands) I bought a cheap clamp light set up from Menards and you stick that through the hole. Stick a 40-60 watt bulb in, shut the lid and plug it in and walllla! Instant heated water base! I'll try to snap a picture of one of mine later. They have seriously saved me a lot of headaches this winter!

 

[1muttsfan]

Silly, sounds like you need another doe kid to raise him with

 

[tdhenson86]

I need help Today!!!! Unfortunately I have been ordered to go on an almost no notice deployment for 6 months and I need to get rid of my chicks before I leave in a couple days.

I'm so sorry that they did that!!! That is awful! I wish you were closer than 3 hours away. I would definitely take them.

 

[Herducks]

I'm so sorry that they did that!!! That is awful! I wish you were closer than 3 hours away. I would definitely take them.

I have the same problem 3 1/2 hours away.