Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[1muttsfan]

Glad, you're welcome! Also, Sand Hill Preservation has a seed mix called Brooder Greens, they have a website

Nag, thanks for the swap info

Here is the link to the Awards page
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...n-awards-january-march-2013-winners-announced

Tap, one brown red and the other three are either Lemon Blue or maybe the lighter one a splash, but a good darker colored one

 

[SillyChicken]

Yes, please post the info about the bee keeping club. Thanks!

https://www.facebook.com/napoleonbeesupply
NEW BEEKEEPING CLUB STARTING
UP FOR THE JACKSON/LENAWEE COUNTY AREA

First Meeting on Saturday, April 6, 2013, 10:00am – 12:00noon
at Napoleon Bee Supply, 6780 Brooklyn Rd (M-50) in Napoleon

(LIMITED SEATING)
MUST RSVP BY THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013
517-499-0439

SPEAKER: Tom Roesch, Beekeeping Expert
“BEEKEEPING BASICS”
TOPICS: What you need to start a beehive, information on supplies needed, costs, set up, maintaining a hive

SUPPLIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

Call and ask for Steve, I think there are about 50 attending so far and not much space left..

 

[SillyChicken]

I usually move my hives to a more sheltered area for winter. Right now the hives are on my back porch, 8 feet from the door. I think I'll set a hive near the front door to keep away the door-to-door people.
As you get used to the bees, you will find that you can work around them with little fear. And a beehive with a flat roof is a great place to set your beer while doing chores.

Watched the robins pull up worms yesterday so maybe I'll plant some cool weather crops today.

Good idea,at the front door, may keep unwanted guests at bay!

When I go to Yak Lady's farm to process birds her bees will land on me, but they won't do anything...I love going to her farm to see the yaks..

We haven't totally decided where we want the bees yet...I worry that the mower would irritate them.

 

[SillyChicken]

wow tap! looks like you maybe got blue, black AND splash there? Sooooo cute!

Does anyone have any suggestion as to when I can plant forage stuff for my meat birds? The snow is receding quickly with all the sun, but our last frost isn't for another 2 months, and I can't imagine that farmers really aren't going to plant ANYTHING for another 2+ months? I've got spinach, kale, and oregano seeds, and I'm thinking of picking up a small bag of fescue/clover/legume mix (basically a deer/wildlife mix) to throw in the area where we're planning on putting the broilers. Can I do it as soon as the snow is gone?

Have you looked into barley sprouting?

 

[Brethren49619]

My cayugas finally came in yesterday!!!

Spring is coming to the north-west part of Michigan! HURRAY! I almost hit a robin on the way to school this morning.

I haven't seen any robins here yet, but I did hear the cranes this morning AND a bluebird was checking out the box they use each year. There probably are some robins around here, but working all day most days limits what I really see arriving outdoors.

The whole yard is still covered with snow. The only areas that are clear are what was plowed. Slowly, it is starting to leave with the gradually warmer days. Warmer nights would definitely be welcome as well though.

 

[kimmie6067]

I usually move my hives to a more sheltered area for winter. Right now the hives are on my back porch, 8 feet from the door. I think I'll set a hive near the front door to keep away the door-to-door people.
As you get used to the bees, you will find that you can work around them with little fear. And a beehive with a flat roof is a great place to set your beer while doing chores.

Watched the robins pull up worms yesterday so maybe I'll plant some cool weather crops today.

Sorry Raz a few little honey bee's wouldn't stop me from knocking on your. I happen to love going "door to door". LOL

 

[kimmie6067]

Snowflake I was checking out the friend award you got, even though I said congrats I didn't really know what it was all about. I checked it out and this time I really mean it, congradulations!!!!

You deserve it!!!

 

[naglady]

I usually move my hives to a more sheltered area for winter. Right now the hives are on my back porch, 8 feet from the door. I think I'll set a hive near the front door to keep away the door-to-door people. As you get used to the bees, you will find that you can work around them with little fear. And a beehive with a flat roof is a great place to set your beer while doing chores.

beer can holder [rule]Watched the robins pull up worms yesterday so maybe I'll plant some cool weather crops today.

I planted some kale in the flower pots in front of the house where its sunny.. for them to sprout. then transplant.. if your snow is gone and you can work the ground.. kale,lettuce,raddishes.. most cabbage seed family can go into the ground.. cover with leaves. and they will sprout.. my collards and kale that i covered really good with leaves last fall.. i checked them yesturday and they are sprouting new green on them.. so they are coming back from . if anyone was wondering broccoli, kale, collards they are all biannuals. which means they grow for 2 seasons.. i am going to throw some tomato and pepper seeds in my worm bin to sprout, then i will transplant.. but not plant outside till end of may.. then with lots of caution. peas and lettuce can be planted and germinate in pretty low temps i have also seen people put raddish seeds on top of snow where they want to plant and have good success... can be planted as early as 6 wks b4 last frost date..just make sure you have them in a warmer spot and cover the planting area with mulch till sprout.. then cover lightly. or put milk jugs over them with lid off.. and put lid on at night. some areas in my yard are already warm and have worms and ready to plant. and some are still icey..

 

[snowflake]

Someone was asking about removing meat from birds without gutting them - here is a link to an easy way to eviscerate birds and prepare then for cooking at the same time (spatchcock or butterfly)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/400344/heritage-large-fowl-thread/2850#post_5485975

This is very interesting. I hope I can remember to try it when the time comes. sounds much easier then the way we do it. Although we were getting pretty good at.

If any one has young hens/started pullets (maybe a rooster.) for sale near Hastings MI pm me!
Or text me at 269-355-9312

welcome KWAK, don't have any right now but there have been several on here with pullets and roosters. What kind are you looking for??

wow tap! looks like you maybe got blue, black AND splash there? Sooooo cute!

Does anyone have any suggestion as to when I can plant forage stuff for my meat birds? The snow is receding quickly with all the sun, but our last frost isn't for another 2 months, and I can't imagine that farmers really aren't going to plant ANYTHING for another 2+ months? I've got spinach, kale, and oregano seeds, and I'm thinking of picking up a small bag of fescue/clover/legume mix (basically a deer/wildlife mix) to throw in the area where we're planning on putting the broilers. Can I do it as soon as the snow is gone?

peas are good early starters. plan to try some this yr. chickens can eat peas

I usually move my hives to a more sheltered area for winter. Right now the hives are on my back porch, 8 feet from the door. I think I'll set a hive near the front door to keep away the door-to-door people.
As you get used to the bees, you will find that you can work around them with little fear. And a beehive with a flat roof is a great place to set your beer while doing chores.

Watched the robins pull up worms yesterday so maybe I'll plant some cool weather crops today.

he carful you don't get bees in your beer. they don't swallow well.

I planted some kale in the flower pots in front of the house where its sunny.. for them to sprout. then transplant..

if your snow is gone and you can work the ground.. kale,lettuce,raddishes.. most cabbage seed family can go into the ground.. cover with leaves. and they will sprout..
my collards and kale that i covered really good with leaves last fall.. i checked them yesturday and they are sprouting new green on them.. so they are coming back from . if anyone was wondering broccoli, kale, collards they are all biannuals. which means they grow for 2 seasons..

i am going to throw some tomato and pepper seeds in my worm bin to sprout, then i will transplant.. but not plant outside till end of may.. then with lots of caution.

peas and lettuce can be planted and germinate in pretty low temps i have also seen people put raddish seeds on top of snow where they want to plant and have good success... can be planted as early as 6 wks b4 last frost date..just make sure you have them in a warmer spot and cover the planting area with mulch till sprout.. then cover lightly. or put milk jugs over them with lid off.. and put lid on at night.

some areas in my yard are already warm and have worms and ready to plant. and some are still icey..

the ground is still frozen in most places over here but the rains and warmer temps for next week should help.



NICE chicks Tap, so pretty.

1mutt,have you tried the Sand Hill brooder seed? wonder what all is in it. is there stuff that can be saved for winter or is it mostly eat now?

 

[jrsckn]

I did a semi-scientific study on fermented feed last summer, here's a link to my thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/672135/meatie-experiment-ff-vs-crumbles

To sum it all up, I did three groups: 1 control eating dry crumbles, 1 eating fermented crumbles, and 1 eating 50/50 fermented whole grains/crumbles. The bottom line is feeding the whole grains was the most expensive because modern broilers are bred to digest fine particles and if fed whole grains, they expend more energy digesting than growing. The fermented crumble group was $0.25/processed pound more expensive than the dry group but they did gain the most weight. It did keep the smell and mess quite managable though.

One thing to keep in mind with the fermented feed is it does change the taste of the chicken, it makes it more "tangy" which is fine for things like bbq but if you roast it, it tastes weird and down right nasty if you try to make a sandwich with it. It does however make eggs taste great if you feed it to layers.