Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[NativeBeauty]

I do have them but they are pending pickup if she doesn't take them I'll let you know!

Thank you Jen

 

[taprock]

Well what I was afraid might happen did. My DH shot one of the neighbors dogs. It isn't the closest neighbor because this wasn't a familiar dog. My chickens were super skittish when I let them out this afternoon. I stood around for a few minutes trying to figure out why but didn't see anything. After being in the house a few minutes and the guineas having fits I thought I heard a dog, checked and didn't see anything. Heard it a few minutes later and looked out to see a dog running with a chicken in its mouth. My dh shot and called the police. The dog was two foot away from the coop door with a pile of feathers in his mouth so it was pretty clear what was going on. The cop took the information and went to try find the owner. I hate the thought of a dog paying the price for irresponsible owners. After rounding up chickens from everywhere I am only missing two. My hubby and son are still out looking. I am amazed at how well they hid. Even though I know what the law says, I guess wait and see what happens.

 

[1muttsfan]

Sorry Taprock, for your husband too - it just is so frustrating when people don't take care of their pets.

Ron you might also place flyers in places where people would buy feed and supplies, like TSC or local elevators.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

. After rounding up chickens from everywhere I am only missing two. My hubby and son are still out looking. I am amazed at how well they hid. Even though I know what the law says, I guess wait and see what happens.

That stinks that the dog got your chickens. I hope they side with you, because Imo a dog isn't worth more than a bird. A dog kills another dog, it gets picked up and it's a big deal. Should not be different for another animal.

Animals should not be roaming about, a one time accident is one thing, but after that............

 

[Farmerboy16]

Sorry Tap about your chickens. Hope that it gets resolved peacefully.

Been busy with everything! Dealing with steers eating my chicken coop, etc! Lots of stories to post, will work on them later.

I entered a story on Photobucket for a contest. You all can help me win by liking, sharing, and commenting on my Story to boost my Social Engagement score. Thanks!

http://s1102.beta.photobucket.com/user/Farmerboy88/story/4721

 

[mrcush]

Oxford only allows chickens if you have 2.5 acres and are zoned agricultural. So it's a bit useless for most of us. What about Clarkston?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/182280/michigan-right-to-farm-law-what-does-it-mean#post_2186063

Here is a link Ron

 

[RIRJen]

Well what I was afraid might happen did. My DH shot one of the neighbors dogs. It isn't the closest neighbor because this wasn't a familiar dog. My chickens were super skittish when I let them out this afternoon. I stood around for a few minutes trying to figure out why but didn't see anything. After being in the house a few minutes and the guineas having fits I thought I heard a dog, checked and didn't see anything. Heard it a few minutes later and looked out to see a dog running with a chicken in its mouth. My dh shot and called the police. The dog was two foot away from the coop door with a pile of feathers in his mouth so it was pretty clear what was going on. The cop took the information and went to try find the owner. I hate the thought of a dog paying the price for irresponsible owners. After rounding up chickens from everywhere I am only missing two. My hubby and son are still out looking. I am amazed at how well they hid. Even though I know what the law says, I guess wait and see what happens.

Sorry to hear you lost some birds...hopefully the other 2 are just hiding. I've always been afraid of a stray dog or a neighbors dog coming over and attacking my animals. It happens, and I would've done the same thing. It's too bad they didn't keep thier dog contained in thier own property. At least you got him in the act, a lot of people I've heard dog attack stories from didn't end on such a good note.

 

[NovaAman]

I am rethinking using a light. I have for the past two years. But three days ago my one rooster was looking hen pecked and had a bloody spot on his head. I didn't want early morning picking so I unplugged the light. I forgot to plug it back in. So they haven't had the light for three days. Yesterday the number of eggs went up from 2 large fowl to 8.

So now I'm not sure if I should bother plug it back in, except for when it gets really cold.

I don't have any lights in the coops. I do however have lights in the run. I have an 20gallon fish tank light, 2 red lights and one white light aside. I do have a light in the big coop that I turn on just to do a night count now. I turn it on, count, then turn it off. I got 12 eggs today.

Cool, thanks Opa. A small plastic bowl will be sufficient, right? At least for now until I can get something else?

You know what I found to be very convenient for oyster? A rabbit feed bin. There are the ones with no holes in the bottom, and then ones that have a screen bottom. I drilled a hole for a screw to pass through, but put a little dent... I don't know... made it so I could hang it on one of the legs of the coop near the food and water. I fill as needed. It is high enough up that the little chicks can't access it, but low enough that the smaller hens still can.

Also, out of curiousity. How do people in general on this thread store they're eggs? I've just been washing them and putting them in the fridge but I've heard other ways.

I just put them on the counter in egg cartons. I only wash them before I use them. Once you've washed and chilled them, they need to stay that way.

The last thing that happens in egg production is the application of a fluid called the "bloom". This occurs as the egg exists the bird. It is also when a brown egg receives its color. If you pick up an egg immediately after laying you will find it to be wet and the brown color can be smeared or even wiped off. Once an egg is washed you have removed the protective coating (bloom) from the egg and it will need to be refrigerated. However, an unwashed egg can be stored safely at room temperature for several weeks and not spoil.

It's true! I was able to wash a green egg white!

 

[NovaAman]

Sorry about your chickens and that your son ended up having to shoot a dog. Livestock is livestock, and a dog attacking livestock... Not good.

 

[tndalexander]

Good evening Michigan, I now have 7 Faverolle chicks that have hatched, and i'm already taking pics just thought i would share a few with you ENJOY!!!!

They are adorable. Will you be selling them? Are these the ones with extra toes?