Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[taprock]

I've only ever had 2 bad eggs and both were found by my son hidden in the yard in the middle of summer and they floated when tested. I do the float test if I question the age and it has been pretty reliable. I found two weeks worth of guinea eggs that I knew had been in the 90* sun the whole time. They tested fine but I didn't trust it or them. I cracked them all and ended up feeding them to the chickens - they really were all fine.

I have shown my true crazy chicken lady self today. Buzz the roo who is in the basement in the cage is a super friendly, super inquisitive guy. I was feeling sorry that he is stuck inside to take his medicine. So while I was in my sewing room it occurred to me I have a cement floor and he wouldn't make a hard to clean mess if he had an accident while exploring in there. So I let him run around and talk to me. He actually wasn't messy, which surprised me. This isn't a great picture but where he decided to roost to keep me company. He is such a sweet rooster!

 

[Chambertin]

Some roosters are just nicer than others.
My guy will come up and sleep on my shoulder if he's not feeling well. Thats how we found he had cut his mouth on something before it got bad and festered. Yet at the same time he'll go nutty if anyone other than me messes with the girls when they are laying.
Perfectly fine any other time, but he says its time for them to be left alone when that egg song comes in.

They really are hardwired to be protective, but if they get mean then that means the wires got crossed.
Fight to the death, no problem. Cuddle up with mama (or daddy) no problem.

I'd post a photo of him in action, but its a little too embarassing as someone added their favorite stuffed animal to the photo also.

Here's an old picture of his favorite spot if he is allowed in the house.

Right on the back of my chair. After a few learning experiences he now faces the poop end out and away from my back.

 

[RaZ]

I've only ever had 2 bad eggs and both were found by my son hidden in the yard in the middle of summer and they floated when tested. I do the float test if I question the age and it has been pretty reliable.

I found a hidden nest last summer but it was only 3 eggs. I ate them.
I had 2 eggs a few days ago that were frozen, I cooked them but the texture was pretty weird and the taste was off. The 2 frozen eggs that I got yesterday were made into an omelet for the dogs. They did not seem to mind.

 

[RaZ]

If anyone near Ann Arbor wants to place a chick order, I'm driving down to Meyer Hatchery on Feb 20th to pick up my chicks (We are actually taking a family trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky - I talked my husband into stopping at Meyers ob our way home, lol). I'd be happy to bring chicks back for others, so you don't have to mess with minimums and shipping fees. (Within reason - I mean, I can't fit like 200 little peppers in my car, lol)

If I give you money, can you pick up some wild Mallard ducklings for me?

 

[NovaAman]

Taprock has a house chicken!

You know Sam is shaking his head... Lol

Chambertin, he's a pretty guy. Love the pattern.

kids have another 3 day weekend.

 

[boris159]

looking at all the baby chicks just adds to the addiction I wish I had an incubator, maybe I need to get one like Nova's, she looks like such a good momma, and goes broody a lot??

On first reading, I thought you said Nova goes broody a lot, which of course resulted in coffee-keyboard.

 

[1muttsfan]

For best hatchability, eggs should be stored for no longer than 10 days at a cool room temp, many people also turn them several times a day. Could they hatch after longer storage or refrigeration? Yes, some will, but the hatching rate drops with both.

COLD here again this morning, there is ice floating around in the Straits but they are not frozen over yet. Everything today looks some shade of grey - we could sure use some sun up here.

 

[taprock]

Taprock has a house chicken!

To clarify so my DH doesn't kill me, he is only in till his meds are done and it warms up enough to not shock his system when I boot him back out. He wouldn't be happy inside, he misses the girls. He keeps giving me the dance and calling me for food and then seems upset when I ignore him. And as messy as they are I don't think I would really want a house chicken, maybe one who visits now and then but not permanently.

Lake effect, lake effect go away!

Oh yea - we also don't have heat this morning! Time to go bake.

 

[kimmie6067]

Hi everyone! I'm new to backyard chickens and I live in Michigan. My husband and I plan on getting chickens in the spring. I live in the Imlay City area. Can anyone recommend a good place or person to get chickens. We want chickens for eggs. Eventually I would like to show my chickens but I am starting out slow.

 

[Chambertin]

Once they get out of the brooder, er no. The real issue is poop.
Once their poop is bigger than a teaspoon and they are able to get up on the desk and leave a nice squirt its time for the outside.
Part timer's are always welcome but the investment required for full time chickens is way too much for me.
Done it for a while, but everyone is much happier with the part time second shift.