Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[BobBry]

Good job! Lucky chickens to have you as their "caregiver".

With the future in mind, we have a grass-roots effort called Michigan Small Farm Policy Councill. Our group has offered to be part of future reviews of proposed changes to GAAMPs. A couple of us are trying to get appointments to the boards. Your continued help would be appreciated.

Appointments to the committees are made by another person but if you write letters to the commissioners, you can mention my name and that of Wingless. (PM me for real names and contact info)

In my opinion, we held our own and maybe gained a bit of ground today. Thanks to you folks who spoke and wrote letters. We haven't won the battle yet nor have we won the war. We survive to fight again.

Of further note, Detroit City Council has accepted the Hantz Farms purchase of vacant lots within the city. While I have no details yet, Detroit is considering ordinances (rules) for keeping livestock within the city. Again, that is a future action that bears watching and I'm trying to get more information on that process.

Good for you RZ. I certainly appreciate your efforts and support your future involvement.

Mostly, I think that the commissioners are reasonable people. They are people with farming backgrounds, albeit at a larger scale than most of us backyard or small acreage folk. Plus they have the burden of being embroiled in the state political machine. Not to mention CAFO and big ag PACs.

In writing your letters, I think it would be beneficial to mention that the small operations are just as important as large corporations. Especially when it comes to topics of sustainability and food sovereignty. As much as I hate buzzwords, they do serve to gain recognition when addressing our officials.

To that end, I threw my hat in the ring to be included in future considerations of GAAMPs and/or task forces. So did Wingless. I think that we have the credentials to hang with the big dogs as far as future considerations and give voice to most of our concerns. And our rights.

Your letters might mention that we have people ready, willing and able to serve as the voice of the smaller but still relevant grass roots population.

Yea...

Here is how my itty bitty frizzle cochin keeps her humoungous 4 week old CL chicks warm at night -



Poor bird, I don't see how they can sleep at any time like that. My cuckoo marans looked uncomfortable with fourteen chicks under her in October, but that was nothing compared to this.

 

[Opa]

Do you think that if you increased the light gradually over a few weeks it would work the same as increasing daylight? Maybe an hour every few days? I have been trying to find a light timer that would work in a regular screw-in light socket, but can only find ones that are on at dusk - off at sunrise. I would feel much better about using the regular light socket in th coop than adding a lamp, just for fire safety. Anyone every seen a timer like that?

Once you allow the number of light hours to diminish the rest cycle is triggered and adding light will not stop it but it may lessen the time needed for their laying to restart

 

[Farmerboy16]

Hey guys! Need help here!

Every year in September, we as a family draw names out of a bowl for a gift exchange on Christmas, and...I got my newest sister-in-law.
I am stuck on a gift idea for her, and she is expecting her first baby in June. I want to get/make something that she can use for her baby, and any future kids. Her favorite color is orange, so want a gift that is a bit orangey, and durable to last many years. She and my brother lives in Wisconsin, and they will be coming over for Christmas. Appreciate any help!

My sister-in-law and my brother on their wedding day in January 2012-

 

[gladahmae]

Hey guys! Need help here!
Every year in September, we as a family draw names out of a bowl for a gift exchange on Christmas, and...I got my newest sister-in-law.
I am stuck on a gift idea for her, and she is expecting her first baby in June. I want to get/make something that she can use for her baby, and any future kids. Her favorite color is orange, so want a gift that is a bit orangey, and durable to last many years. She and my brother lives in Wisconsin, and they will be coming over for Christmas. Appreciate any help!

My sister-in-law and my brother on their wedding day in January 2012-

A ringsling! I highly recommmend sleepingbaby.net (she makes great slings) and they come with a pretty good price....around $30 or so for a basic sling. Slings are great for babies and caretakers, and if taken care of properly can last for several children.

 

[chickflick]

You're sister in law will be getting a lot of baby gifts, being her first baby and all. I would get her something personal. Does she like manacures or pedicures?? A gift card to a nice restraurant. She won't be going out much once the baby arrives. Pamper her.

 

[NovaAman]

Daron, it is very sweet of you to want to get something she can use for her baby and future babies... HOWEVER, save THAT for the baby shower. The gift is for HER and her pleasure. That is almost like giving a kid a Christmas present and then saying, oh, by the way, its not really for you... SO, if you are handy making things and orange is her favorite color, how about you down load a few wood working patterns and make her a larger wall frame for pictures, with a picture of her and your bro in law in the center, with cut outs for family pictures to come. Paint it in a shade of orange that is pleasing to the eye, not to bright so as to clash with all its surroundings. OR, go to a craft store, find some craft that you can paint up, or put together... Like a side table that is unfinished, paint it the color you want, get flower apliques to rub on, in flowers, butterflies, whatever, put a finish sealant on it to protect it... Even a simple stool, that she could use as a plant stand, or step up... But the gift should be for HER... They even have jewlery crafts at the craft stores... Maybe make her a nice necklace... with hand picked beads, then you thread together. If you make it long enough to slip over her head, you won't have to worry about clasps...

 

[NovaAman]

sorry, i mean her and your bro... LOL

 

[SillyChicken]

Agreed with above......if you drew her name, it should be something for her that she would like... once her kids are born, life will not be about her for a long time.

If you wanna do a little gift on the side for the pending baby... give her a small ornament or something to celebrate his pending arrival.

 

[MIchickens]

Greetings and Salutations!
I just thought I would introduce myself. My name is Josh and I am in the Air Force and work at Selfridge Air National Guards Base in Mt Clemens. I have been a long time stalker of this website and love every minute of it. I have learned allot and don't even have my chickens yet...lol. I am expecting them at the end of January (That's the earliest that McMurray will send them out). I ordered 8 buff Orpingtons, 5 Silver laced Wyandottes, 4 Jersey giants, 4 barred rocks, 4 Aracanas, and the highly coveted mystery chick. With the knowledge base of you all here in Michigan, do any of you foresee any problems with the choices I have made?

I am building my brooder this weekend which will be 4'X8' with 2' walls. I imagine this should be big enough for 26 chicks for a month or two? I am a newbie so I hope I can call upon all of you from time to time for advice. I look forward reading your post. Have a great evening all!

 

[chicken grandma]

Welcome MIchickens!

Daron, this time of year they have nice photo ornaments for babies at the Hallmark store! And a gift card to a restaurant would be a treat for her and your brother also!
I like Burt's Bees products also. You can find them at Meijer! If you want you could by your sister in law some lotions and creams for winter and you could even include some baby products in the bag! Burt's Bees is very natural so you would be treating your sister in law and her baby to some nice products that are very healthy for her!