Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

In case you haven't heard, it has been a busy week for me.
I know several are interested in what has taken place with the MAEAP verification on Monday, Agriculture Commissioners' Meeting on Wednesday, court case Thursday and the meeting with the GAAMPs committee today.

I will summarize all of this and more to share with anyone who is interested. I just need to unwind and get things in order. Please bear with me.

RaZ
Education and Outreach Director
Michigan Small Farm Council

 

[kimmie6067]

I'm trying to figure out how sand is cheaper. I don't get it. If I get a yard of sand (and, I'd need more like 2 yards) and get it delivered, it's going to cost me about $200, depending on where I order it from. It's a wash to haul it myself because then they charge you by weight, and I'd have to make 4 trips to get enough, so once you add up the extra cost and the gas to get it, they could have just brought it for you and saved all the trouble.

I've put 8 bags of shavings in my coops, and try to keep it about 8in deep. That's $40, and I can use it to mulch my flowers with when I change it.

Maybe sand is just really expensive here?

What it's that much? I didn't know that I follow Chicken Chick's blog and thats what she does, I think that's the blog well any way I will have to check how much it is here we have a lot of sand here already its nothing but sand and oak tress I don't like oaks at all.

 

[NovaAman]

Nice new title you got there RaZ! And to think, all you wanted was a few hens..

 

[kimmie6067]

If it's outside, and there's no hard floor under it you just hose it down now and then to "clean" it and it keeps the dust and smell down.

Our yard is nothing but sand really, so i got lucky and didn't have to import any. I love it! Drains good, and all you gotta do is hose it down to get rid of stuff.

hose what down?

 

[kimmie6067]

I have to agree about the sand. Even if it were cheaper, it's so heavy and hard to haul (especially for those of us who don't have trucks and can't lift too much) that I'd still opt for the lighter shavings. Of course, my coop is a lot larger than some, like 9' x 13' so I need a lot of bedding. I also enjoy composting the stuff (though the guy who farms our field took my compost pile and spread it on said field last week without asking me

). But everyone's got their own circumstances and solutions, you know.

I thought about that being heavy I really don't think I can do it.

 

[RaZ]

Nice new title you got there RaZ! And to think, all you wanted was a few hens..

Indeed. Kind of pompous if you ask me but what can I say.
All I wanted was to feed myself and provide good food to others. Now I'm fighting for rights. Mine and many others.

 

[Trefoil]

Kimmie, I would much rather have oaks than the box elders that I'm blessed with. Years ago my d told her allergist that we raised box elder bugs when he inquired about pets.
I think it was Lisa asking about sawdust/shavings? Try calling any place that handles lumber (not lowes or home depot), makes pallets, or even furniture.

 

[Opa]

Another wet and dreary day is on tap preventing much in the way of outdoor work, I am getting anxious to remove the plastic tarps for the chicken's run. While it has allowed the birds access to a snow free area it could benefit from some wind and sunshine to clear out the odors.

I think that next week I will probably place the chicks in the grow out pen. I think the temperatures are finally warm enough and the birds are sufficiently feathered to allow the move. I currently have them in several cages along the wall of the coop and their water and feed requirements require that I replenish them twice daily. With the grow out pen I can use a waterer and a feeder that will only need refilling every other day. Old guys don't need anymore work than absolutely necessary.

This dismal period between brown and green that we must endure each year would be a little easier to bear if the weather would stay dry enough that I can get my yard cleaned up. The amount of fallen branches, sodden leaves, and wind blown debris that needs removing is discouraging. Once it's cleared the days will look a little brighter.


.

 

[Brethren49619]

2nd round in the incubator is in lockdown (day 21 this morning). Lots of rocking and rolling and new chickies peeping away inside their shells. Araucana, Araucana x Sussex, Silkie x EE, and Silkies. Love this day! But, drats! Have to work. Foresee many calls and texts back and forth to home today.

 

[1muttsfan]

Sawdust is actually a poor bedding, it is very dusty and the particles can be aspirated, increasing the risk of respiratory irritation. In addition it usually comes from wood that has not been dried out, so has a higher moisture content.

Shavings from dried woods such as pine are better bedding.