Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[mrcush]

All my girls have dirt butts and I feel horrible but it's so cold outside. What do I do???

 

[HooverHenHouse]

Are you meaning around the cloaca? If its bad, bring them inside and clean them up. If it's not horrible, I would make sure they have lots of clean, fresh warm bedding.

 

[tdhenson86]

So my chief of police stopped by today to talk to me. (nice guy I have met a few times) He just wanted to let me know my neighbors are very upset by my ducks. No one has ever said anything to me. Anyway he wanted me to know they are working on writing an ordinance against ducks and exoctic animals in town. He was very nice about it and wanted to give me a heads up and let me know I could come to a meeting and address it as well. I have 16 ducks right now and am trying to sell 8. (I have someoone coming next week to buy at least 6 of them) I have not decided if I want to fight to keep them or not yet. Something to think about. Anyway there don't seem to be any issues with my chickens and if there were I would fight for sure. They might get upset when I finish set up my new pens come spring!

Really? That is just ridiculous! What is up with this new wave of people trying to ban chickens, ducks, etc.?

 

[ladyrsanti]

are they fixed? other wise they will just keep XX , are you sure they are feral and not just wild, the feral's are LARGE and will take down chickens

that is a good way to de-worm them though,I was wondering how you were going to get meds down their throats,

They are all fixed. That was an adventure in itself. We moved in last January, one year ago today as a matter of fact. We got a visit from a neighbor that day who had been stopping in to feed the cats. I'm thinking... "Cats? We have cats?". Sure enough. No one had taken care of them but this neighbor lady and she pleaded with us to get them taken care of properly. I agreed. This was a disaster waiting to happen. So I went to the local TNR center, Carol's Ferals if anyone ever needs the service - they are VERY good. I borrowed four traps and four cages and I had to trap each one, reset, transfer, etc. until I had them all. But they just kept coming. I told the TNR that I had maybe 6 or 7 but ended up catching 10. Some weren't even "ours". I think we neutered all the cats in the country block. Six of the ten were pregnant so we got them just in time. Anyway, it cost us but we don't have a cat plague so it's all good. I guess they're just wild. The chickens definitely have the upper hand with them. The other day one of my barred rocks pecked a cat square in the forehead and man did that sound painful *THUD*. And then there was this incident:

The cats know who's boss around here.

 

[tdhenson86]

And then there was this incident:

The cats know who's boss around here.

 

[RaZ]

Really? That is just ridiculous! What is up with this new wave of people trying to ban chickens, ducks, etc.?

It nothing new. It has been around for decades. I think it is rooted in the gentrification of communities whose officials think that they have a better way of telling us how to live.

When the police officer or ordinance officer comes to your door, most people are afraid to stand up for their rights.

Don't get me started...

 

[snowflake]

Just got back from taking Granny for blood work. In addition to all of the medication and numerous scheduled doctor appointments, she has to have blood drawn weekly for the foreseeable future. Still all of this is easier than a funeral.

I am glad she is home, much better care at home!!we will keep you in our prayers.

They are all fixed. That was an adventure in itself. W

The cats know who's boss around here.

awsome pics. I have a friend in Grand Haven that has 20 cats, she is trying to get fixed. people see you take care of them and keep dumping them off,
Good luck with yours.

 

[Juise]

You could borrow some, just for clearing and send them home!

Whaaa? Are there really people that loan out or lease goats? I totally wanted to do that to get rid of our poison ivy, but I didn't think anyone would loan me their goat! Lol

Hi Juise, I was wondering how do we know that the feed is organic? Being that there will be fertilizer that was not organic or even pesticides used were the organic is grown now. Those things just don't go away, maybe never. My husband works for a fertilizer company here in Michigan. You know what I mean, how can organic companies claim that it's 100% chemical free?

I think Hoover pretty much answered this already, but yes, it takes quite a bit of work, hassle, time, and money to be certified organic. You don't actually have to be 100% absolutely free of anything, it just isn't really possible, but something like 98% or 99%, I think. And there are of course certain exemptions, and loopholes that people will take advantage of, etc. but there is only so much you can control as a consumer, I just try my best and hope for the best, and know that it is at least less chemicals and so on. I think it may even be longer than 5 years you have to wait on the fields, but I can't remember for sure.

Should be the same for any organic producer/grower, but theres a good chance billy bob selling veggies down the road isn't certfied organic

Yes, if your sales are under a certain amount of money a year you do not have to be certified, otherwise your profits would not be enough to pay the fees.

ETA: I de-wormed all eight remaining feral barn cats this morning.  Talk about a chore, getting each one the proper dose.  I sat out there with a squirt gun, eight little platters of medicated soft food, and a checklist of who got what. 

That is so very awesome of you!

 

[Trefoil]

They are all fixed. That was an adventure in itself. them but this neighbor lady and she pleaded with us to get them taken care of properly. I agreed. ... So I went to the local TNR center, Carol's Ferals if anyone ever needs the service - they are VERY good. I borrowed four traps and four cages and I had to trap each one, reset, transfer, etc. until I had them all. But they just kept coming. I told the TNR that I had maybe 6 or 7 but ended up catching 10. Some weren't even "ours". I think we neutered all the cats in the country block.

TNR is the best. I went that route a couple of yrs ago and also got them vaccinated. The price was very reasonable to not have to worry about an ever expanding cat population. The 2nd night I set the traps, I caught a coon who had helped herself to the free meal. I think she was someone's pet, she was very calm and huge. She must have been p oed though cause I never saw her again.

 

[Opa]

Can't hardly believe how few posts since by last. Sure was quiet.


Maybe a good cup of coffee will get everyone going.