Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[taprock]

This was the first morning I have heard birds when I let the dog out..... besides roosters. I could hear some little birds and the cranes a couple fields over. A nice sign that spring may actually show up.

I have a broody button quail and a Silkie. At this point I'm not sure how many days miss Button has been sitting so I think I will let her hatch them. Not so with the Silkie.
It also looks like I may have a couple frizzled chicks. Hard to tell at this point but their wing feathers go up instead of straight.
I'm getting ready to repot some plants but looking outside at the snow and wondering if it will ever go so I can start preparing the gardens.

Cute calf Farmerboy!

 

[SillyChicken]

Willow is such a pretty girl Farmer!

Darn.......... saw the perfect thing I'm looking for on craigslist, free........ and someone nabbed it before me.....

 

[snowflake]

We went through the MAEAP certs today, both "Farm-A-Syst" and "Livestock-A-Syst". This was with the tech from Monroe Conservation District.
We went over a lot of details and I only had a few minor things to take care of. They all had to do with record keeping issues except one item. I have to place my lawnmower gas can in a secondary containment container. Basically set the can in a plastic tote.

Record keeping is a bit more detailed such as an emergency plan in case of sudden animal death or illness. And a few mundane items such as labeling my feed containers, gas cans, and the tote for the gas can. By the way, if you use DE or disinfectants they are considered pesticides and you need an emergency plan for any spill.

I have a ton of details and should be ready for the final inspection within a few weeks after I get a few more things from the technician, something called MARI and RUSELS. Whatever that stands for. I also have to finish up spring cleaning in the yard and chicken run. Just routine spring chores that every homeowner typically does. Neatness counts during the final inspection.

One last thing is the soil test. It must be run through a certified lab. Home tests are not accepted.

I am also interested in the DE, it is used to put on the ground around plants to keep snails out, on the floor and in food, even people eat it,(not me) Is the ruling different for food grade? I don't suppose sweeping it up and tossing it in the coop would qualify as an EP? that would also include lime or homemade citrus, or pine sprays? how a bout vinager?
sounds like a lot of work but I can see were being certified would be helpful if any one comes after you. I am not sure I would pass things are not looking to neat out there right now, May be a good day to work on that.
Quote:

LOVE,LOVE,LOVE Willow, she is so pretty

hope your broody hen hatches a batch, it is so fun to watch a hen with her chicks

 

[naglady]

Just a reminder that wild mushroom hunting is really for experts or those with training by those who really know their mushrooms. A few years ago a couple I knew gave their dog the wild mushrooms left over from their dinner. The dog lapsed into liver failure and had to be euthanized. Many very dangerous mushrooms look very similar to those that are edible, and some people are more sensitive than others to the effects of "edible" ones, even Morels.

you dont want to eat just any mushroom, there is are alot of good eating ones, but if you dont know what your looking at.. there are some mushrooms that have very similar poisons that look pretty close to it.. like the false morel looks alot like the edible morel, chanterel looks alot like the jackolantern mushroom.. .. when in doubt throw it out.. puffballs are a good starter.. as long as its white all the way thru..if it have flex of purple dont eat.. there is a few that are pretty fool proof..
shaggy mane are really good only thing is if you eat shaggy manes, you shouldnt drink alcohol for a few days after it.. has some anti alcohol substance in it.. there is tons of research to do online if your interested..
you can go to michigan sportsmans and look under forums, and look up michigan mushrooms.. and that forum is a good place to start and will get you started with good info and discriptions of edibles in the woods.. and also teach you how to spore print, and lots of people that know what they are doing to ask questions.. kinda like backyard chickens only about mushrooms..

if we are from Michigan but moved can we still join??

Absolutely, all are welcome..

 

[RaZ]

This part surprises me regarding the DE. Isn't the general use of the product an application of spreading to the soil, nest boxes, pens, runs, etc? What would distinguish as a "spill" then??

I am also interested in the DE, it is used to put on the ground around plants to keep snails out, on the floor and in food, even people eat it,(not me) Is the ruling different for food grade? I don't suppose sweeping it up and tossing it in the coop would qualify as an EP? that would also include lime or homemade citrus, or pine sprays? how a bout vinager?
sounds like a lot of work but I can see were being certified would be helpful if any one comes after you. I am not sure I would pass things are not looking to neat out there right now, May be a good day to work on that.

I'll try to clarify...
Using a product, (i.e. pesticide) according to the directions is fine. An Emergency Plan (EP) is for what you do in case of an accidental discharge.

Ever knock over a bag of DE or have it fall of the tailgate and break open? That is an accidental discharge and what did/do you do to clean it up. Same with a jug of bleach or bottle of ACV.

There is no difference in "food grade" in case you spill it while you are eating it.

The process sounds more complicated than it really is. Most of it is common sense with a few "I did not know that" things thrown in. ( I did not know that I should keep my gas can inside another tote in case I knock it over. A $2 tote would keep that $20 worth of gas from soaking into the ground. )

Neatness is simply keeping the lids tight on feed, not setting the gas can on top of the feed can. Neatness is cleaning the poop boards on a regular schedule (suggested guideline is at least twice a year).

It is really pretty simple to be compliant and practice good animal care. I'll find out in a few days how that compliance helps in a court of law, but I do know one case where is was a deciding factor in the farmer's win.

 

[RIRJen]

That little cow is adorable!

Spring/hatching season is in full swing here I've got about 50 silkie chicks in the brooder and about 40 more due to hatch tomorrow

Some random pictures!
Baby English lops (rabbits)


Remember that big ugly coop I've got a little more to do on it, but looks soooo much better!


Indoor cooping to keep our show birds pretty


Bwaaaaaaak?

 

[fuzzybutt love]

It's going to be one of THOSE days I think. I woke up this morning and the temp in my bator was reading 108! I don't know how long it was running that hot but I have to assume all night (from shortly after i went to sleep at 12 until I got up at 6:30). I put some more details in this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/764583/temp-spike-oh-nooo

I feel like I'm going to puke

Aww.

Welcome to all the newbies, great group here!!!


Had another EE die just like the last one a few weeks ago. They came from townline I have one more if that one dies I am going to start thinking something strange is going on.


Does anyone know what kind of birds they are bringing to chicken stock? I need more chickens!

What kind of way did the other one die? Was this the swollen crop thing? Could be eating their bedding, perhaps.

Quote:Originally Posted by NovaAman ha ha, i told you EE's were a trip! Mine are exasperatingly smart; they constantly come up with crap to get in trouble with! (And my pet EE from my pet hen that died has already decided to like her car rides, and will wait for them (car rides = special treats just for her) LOL. No pooping in the car, either, even in the carrier!

 

[Scifisarah]

I just entered my coop in Purina's contest on Facebook and would love a vote from you guys if you like it! Glad I got a photo before squirrels decimated my gourds, haha.

Vote HERE

 

[MrsLahman]

I started a Page on Facebook for learning how to be self sufficent and meet other people with the same goals!! Feel free to "Like" I post recipes for canning and homemade cleaners, tricks for gardening and raising animals!

https://www.facebook.com/HomesteadingInNorthernMichigan

 

[tjbeckman]

RIRJEN- I love the indoor cooping set up!
Scifisarah- That is a great coop! I will vote for you! Do you have a link?