Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[naglady]

Found our first green egg yesterday! YAY! Hawk (one of our EEs) had been checking out the nest boxes quite a bit the last few times I had been out to do coop chores and get eggs, so I figured she'd be laying soon. However, she laid it under the nest boxes, and I didn't see it until the next day. Obviously, it froze and cracked, but it was a really nice green!

I re-stocked the straw in the boxes, so hopefully she will think that's more comfy than the shavings. Maybe Fluffy the silkie will take the hint too and stop hiding her eggs!

Congrats on your first green egg..

bobry sorry to hear, what a pia..

sillychicken I agree with you..definately lots of chemicals used in our foods now a days.. and i to am trying to stay away from them
i really like to shop the farmers market and local roadside stands in the summer. atleast i know where most my food that i freeze come from.
kinda curious does she have any health issues.

 

[RIRJen]

I think we had this discussion before? I can't remember who, when, what though. Drown? I drowned a raccoon last year but I didn't have a big enough container and it meant me sectioning off part of the trap while it was inside which was a pain. Couldn't do that with a skunk... not without getting sprayed.

Ya, I hate it...but we dunk them in a tank of water and put a block on top of the trap to keep it under. It's the less stinky way to do it.

I'm also hoping the snow ends before the weekend and allows plenty of time for cleanup. I'm headed to East Lansing for the Michigan State Rabbit Breeder's Assoc show. Not exhibiting anything at this show but I do have to be there to pick up a new Rex buck. Rabbit math is sort of like chicken math, I'll be lucky if I get out of there with ONLY the buck I plan on getting.

We'll be there showing Look for the Belgian hares and you'll find me!

I would be really surprised if Jen was not at that rabbit show too

 

[RaZ]

Speaking of honey, Raz, how are your bees doing? Have you ever heard of doing this over winter? Making a sugar candy board? Seems like they would require more moisture to liquify the sugar... http://thehomesteadsurvival.com/feed-bees-winter-candy-board-project/#.USz62vJ0Q-d

nice thing about having the bees means I have a good reason to plant more flowers!

My colonies died out before the onset of winter. I don't know why. There were no bee carcasses in the hive bodies. I will try to get new bees in the spring.

Typically I will over-winter my bees on their own supply of honey. Only rarely have I had to supplement with extra sugar.

 

[SillyChicken]

My colonies died out before the onset of winter. I don't know why. There were no bee carcasses in the hive bodies. I will try to get new bees in the spring.

Typically I will over-winter my bees on their own supply of honey. Only rarely have I had to supplement with extra sugar.

OH that's a bummer!

Thats what we plan to do, leave them enough honey to support themselves, and in the following year take from the boxes on top of the hive. Still excited to get them in May. We get bees and supplies from here: http://www.napoleonbeesupply.com/index.html He just opened a store in Napoleon Mi, just 3 miles from us so it's handy for sure.

 

[RaZ]

I'll have to check him out. I get mine from Bobilin in Canton. http://www.bobilinhoney.com/
But first I need to come up with some much needed $$$.

 

[Amy PT]

I went to Family Farm and Home to buy the chick food for our babies who will join us soon. When I walked in, I wasn't planning on buying any chicks. And, I did it! We looked, but we didn't purchase. Mostly because they didn't have any bantams.

Anyone happen to know if the store in Allendale has bantams in now?

 

[1muttsfan]

We'll be there showing Look for the Belgian hares and you'll find me!

Jen's hares are gorgeous

 

[chickflick]

Well, we got some freezing rain come in. Hope people are careful on the roads.

 

[naglady]

nothing here yet.. doesnt look like we are suppose to get much of this storm.. everyone drive safe if you have to go out in it..

Raz i have been thinking of bees is there a law or any regulations in michigan
like have to have the hive so far from other homes or anything like that.
Ive been thinking of bees for awhile, since i eat honey everyday and would like to try raise my own bees and get honey

 

[RaZ]

Raz i have been thinking of bees is there a law or any regulations in michigan
like have to have the hive so far from other homes or anything like that.
Ive been thinking of bees for awhile, since i eat honey everyday and would like to try raise my own bees and get honey

I'm not aware of any state regulations or laws prohibiting honeybees. But like keeping chickens, local government may have different ideas. It is against the law here in Garden City. Check your local ordinances and then decide.

However, any farming activity that is commercial is protected by the RTFA. Just be aware that you would likely have a long fight on your hands if your community decides to take action against you. I've been in my fight for more than a year and no end is in sight yet. Oddly enough, they haven't targeted my bees.