Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[kimmie6067]

This is going to sound amaturish, but I lost my first girl tonight. I heard everyone making a racket and went out to find one of my beloved hens gone. She was a barred rock and her name was Rotunda (she was the fattest & fluffiest bird) I have no idea what happened I just know I will miss her fluffy butt so much!

oh I am so sorry you lost your favorite hen, I raised four Jersey Giant chicks when they were big enough he put them in a pen with a JG roo and a Barred rock roo and several hens everything seems ok for a days then the roo died, then one pullet after another died we couldn't figure it out till I thought the Barred rock roo was doing it. Got rid of him and his hens, they stopped dying. I now have the rest which is a Blue JG roo, and two hens. So that darn Barred rock roo was doing it. The JG roo that died was like a dog to my son he would let him out everyday and they would walk around the property. My son was so sad. I get so close to these birds.

I think it is time to admit that this night is over for me. This is the 3rd time that coughing has awaken me. Hope's grandkids came over with colds and now I have it.

Coffee is done and tasting pretty good so I think there's a change I'm not going to die inspite of sounding like a lung has just fallen out.

I haven't looked outside to see if the snow has quit but I want to get it offf the drive before anyone drives on it. Plus our laborer must park there since his car can't negotiate the drive going down to our shop.

For many years I would clear the driveway with a snowshovel. I had a single stage snow blower but using it was almost more trouble than it was worth. If the snow was very wet I was constantly having to stop and clear the chute. Plus the wind would blow the snow back and I'd wind up covered and looking like a snowman.

A couple of years ago I decided that shoveling was becoming too much work and bought a large two stage snowblower. It has a 30" clearing width, has electric start, is self propelled, has a power steering system, four way joystick chute control, and even has heated handgrips. I added a cab to it and now I stay dry while using it.

Last year's snowfall only required the snowblower 5 or 6 times for the season. Let's hope that this year is no different. Although I suppose we really do need more snow to help get the lake levels back up.

Stay warm and dry and don't over extend yourself removing this storm's accumation.

Oh no you are sick! I hate being sick. I have a sick nephew staying with me, he has the flu, yuck! Hope you get better fast Opa

Not a bit. My hen didn't make it and died last night. I had a few tears over her... she was my last golden girl... a golden laced Polish named Bea. My only broody Polish. I spoke to the vet again about doing swabs but he said her symptoms were too vague to be called respiratory and that it would have to be narrowed down to actually test for something. I noticed that she was very thin. My birds just haven't seemed to regain their weight after this molt. So I guess wait and see if anyone acts "off".

I am very thankful we didn't get any snow this time. Although we haven't seen the sun in about 3 weeks now. I had high hopes to see some this morning since the sky is mostly clear, however there is a cloud bank to the east where the sun should be. There is also a cloud bank to the west so even if the sun does appear it won't be for long.

Those puppy pictures were adorable. Our dog is headed to the vet today. Leo is an 8 year old Boxer and he has not been acting normal. I spoke to the vet on the phone and told him what I thought was going on. He told us to bring in a urine sample first. The test actually confirmed what I had said so he is headed in today. Hopefully he will behave himself.

Tap so sorry about your hen.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Sorry for the losses

Opa, I hope that you will be feeling better soon.
We only got a trace of snow last night so no complaints here. DH got another deer yesterday so I hopw to try out my Christmas gift and make some canned venison. I have never pressure canned anything.

 

[chickflick]

Sorry for your losses

Nice to see you on again, CR

Lots of snow. Spent a couple of hours outdoors shoveling the runs and cleaning coops. Not too bad out if you dress for it.

Have a good day..

 

[SillyChicken]

I am going to ask one more time, does any one want a millie rooster? (d'uccle) I have two that need homes by tonight.

I can not keep them

prolly too late, but I don't need one...... have one to rehome myself.

Could eat em... might be enough there for some soup..




Hill, we pressure can all our venison!

 

[Farmerboy16]

Regarding diets, I try to go all natural as much as possible. Sorry to everyone who have gone through those trials of meds! My mom is going through one for her heart and eye issues. I am not on any meds, never have, I am happy and thankful to say, and I pray that I stay that way.


Got about 3 inches of snow last night.

 

[Farmerboy16]

I have been bitten by a bug again. It happens EVERY year at this time. *sign* But its fun to order seeds and planning next year garden! I always order from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, rarely from anywhere else, but did order seed starting mix, peat pots, strawberry plants from Gurney's as I got a $100 coupon from them.

 

[HooverHenHouse]

I am skipping reading all the posts for now..sorry If I inturupt a converstation. I am hoping someone can help me find one or more frizzled cochins...I have always wanted to add a couple into my flock, and right before Christmas a hawk killed one of my favorite hens, a blue silkie. She was the prettiest in my flock, and I have decided I would like to buy myself some frizzles with my xmas money. I dont care if their bantam or standard...

I am located in Eaton Rapids, MI..near Lansing/Jackson

I will also be traveling to Gaylord, MI around MLK weekend if anyone is around there.

If anyone has anything, please pm me...My internet is iffy with all this snow, and by the time I can log on I may forget to check in.

Thanks in advance...when I am done reserching where to get my frizzles I will try and catch up on this thread. =)

 

[gladahmae]

Well, everyone is medicated and vaselined! I need to do another dose of ivermectin in 2 weeks, correct? Pretty sure that's what I read somewhere.

Does anyone sell eggs at farmers markets during the spring/summer? We have a pretty good sized one in Traverse City, and a small one in my little village, and I'm wondering if it's worth it to get involved with one of those. The small one is free, and the large one costs $20-25 per market depending on if it's during the week or on Saturday.


Oh, and spring broilers! When is a good time to order if you want them to hopefully grow decently, but not have butchering time running into when it's in the 90s? Looks like very beginning of April to butcher before July. I'm considering Red/Rainbow/Freedom Rangers instead of the more traditional Cornish Xs. Anyone have experience with those? Between my family and DH's family I think we'll probably do 50 in the spring and another batch in the fall.

 

[snowflake]

Sorry for the losses

Hi HH That looks like the same PC I have, I love it. I had never done any PC either. If you heat your water some before putting your jars in it takes less time to reach pressure. We were going to try canning venison this yr. but the dear population in our area is small this yr and DH hasn't caught anything.

Oh, and spring broilers! When is a good time to order if you want them to hopefully grow decently, but not have butchering time running into when it's in the 90s? Looks like very beginning of April to butcher before July. I'm considering Red/Rainbow/Freedom Rangers instead of the more traditional Cornish Xs. Anyone have experience with those? Between my family and DH's family I think we'll probably do 50 in the spring and another batch in the fall.

We did Freedom Rangers this yr. they did very well, taste is very good, we didn't start early enough and ended up doing a few at a time because of the heat as well as time issues.
I would cull them no later then 9 weeks as they just gain a lot of fat after that time


Nova, I think you asked about water heaters, I have my cookie tin on top of a plastic bread crate (like they use to carry,stack bread in commercial bread trucks) DH also made one with 2x4,s and hardware cloth, tried putting sand in one ,inside the coop 2yrs ago but the sand gets wet and heavy. I now keep them outside. with plastic waterer ontop, I use a 15W bulb it stays thawed and the plastic does not get hot,does not melt.

 

[NovaAman]

I have bread crates. Made great duck nests actually. Think I will do that. Has to be cheaper to run a 15 watt bulb that a 75-100. Not much, but cheaper.