Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Amy PT]

I think I have a plan. In the next week, I'm going to Family Farm and Home to buy chicks.
I need your help to prep. We're going with at least 2 bantams. I emailed Townline to see what might show up in the bantam bin, and got this reply: The bantams can include Bebe Reds, Porcelains, Millefluers, Golden and Silver Seabrights, White Silkies, and Red Pyle, Brown, and Silver Duckwing Old English.
I want a silkie and a millefluer. I think I know how to pick a silkie (black skin, 5 toes, feathered legs), but how will I be able to ID a d'uccle millefluer from the other types above?
Thanks in advance!

 

[theron]

I think I have a plan. In the next week, I'm going to Family Farm and Home to buy chicks.
I need your help to prep. We're going with at least 2 bantams. I emailed Townline to see what might show up in the bantam bin, and got this reply: The bantams can include Bebe Reds, Porcelains, Millefluers, Golden and Silver Seabrights, White Silkies, and Red Pyle, Brown, and Silver Duckwing Old English.
I want a silkie and a millefluer. I think I know how to pick a silkie (black skin, 5 toes, feathered legs), but how will I be able to ID a d'uccle millefluer from the other types above?
Thanks in advance!

The millie fluer duccle will have feathered legs with an orangish yellow body.
FTA: If you are unsure, I remember when I first started with chickens, I took one of their books in the store and looked through and some books have pictures of what the chicks look like.

 

[tdhenson86]

So, I was just out to change water in my brooder. short story time... PLEASE be careful. While I was working somehow I managed to knock down my heat lamp. Mind you the brooder is in my house so I can keep an eye on it, when I knocked it down the bulb broke and the element caught fire. It went out on its own as I was trying to pick it up, scared me to death! It was my fault, could have been prevented, no one was hurt, shavings are cleaned out and changed just please be careful, That could have gone very differently!

Oh my!!! So glad nothing major happened!

 

[tdhenson86]

Is anyone else in Southwest Michigan getting a lot of damaged mail lately? I have submitted 2 claims to the USPS to check this out since I am getting opened letters, packages with damaged sides, packages with damaged goods inside, and other various issues lately. I know my local Post Office workers very well and they are very kind people. One was my lunch lady growing up and another personally brings any size package to my door. If it says fragile on it, he puts it up next to him while driving so it is safe. I'm almost certain it is the Grand Rapids sort facility, but wanted to know if anyone else is having these issues.

 

[Lisa and girls]

Is anyone else in Southwest Michigan getting a lot of damaged mail lately? I have submitted 2 claims to the USPS to check this out since I am getting opened letters, packages with damaged sides, packages with damaged goods inside, and other various issues lately. I know my local Post Office workers very well and they are very kind people. One was my lunch lady growing up and another personally brings any size package to my door. If it says fragile on it, he puts it up next to him while driving so it is safe. I'm almost certain it is the Grand Rapids sort facility, but wanted to know if anyone else is having these issues.

We've only had one piece damaged since we lived here. Our mail lady is awesome so it wouldn't surprise me if it was a bigger sort facility.

 

[Lisa and girls]

I think you have done what you can for her. You would be doing the right thing.   I know it isn't easy.

Thank you. I know it's for the best for my flock. Still doesn't make it easy.

 

[tdhenson86]

Quote:
I'm getting opened letters, birthday and Christmas cards with the card missing and only getting an empty envelope, letters saying "we're sorry, this arrived damaged", damaged packages, etc. quite often now. Our postmen and postwomen at our local P.O. are wonderful people, but it is out of their control once the envelope/package already arrives to them damaged.

 

[1muttsfan]

Heat lamps are a considerable danger - one of the reasons they should not be used unless absolutely nescessary, such as with younger chicks. All lamps should be secured in 2 separate ways, to 2 different points on the lamp, using metal chain or cable. Do NOT attach only to the metal loop on the back of the lamp. Clamp lamps should also be tied off. Plastic can melt, so don't rely on plastic zip ties. Metal chain is inexpensive and durable.

 

[RaZ]

Heat lamps are a considerable danger - one of the reasons they should not be used unless absolutely nescessary, such as with younger chicks. All lamps should be secured in 2 separate ways, to 2 different points on the lamp, using metal chain or cable. Do NOT attach only to the metal loop on the back of the lamp. Clamp lamps should also be tied off. Plastic can melt, so don't rely on plastic zip ties. Metal chain is inexpensive and durable.

X2

Also now that brooder season is upon, an aquarium is for fish, not chicks.
Those who might use heating pads, be advised that many of the new ones shut off after a certain time period.
Buy a thermometer or 2 for your brooder.
Good care keeps odors away if you are brooding in the house. (i.e. daily cleaning)

I suppose there are dozens of ways to brood and raise your chicks. If you are new here, please ask.

 

[Lisa and girls]

I'm getting opened letters, birthday and Christmas cards with the card missing and only getting an empty envelope, letters saying "we're sorry, this arrived damaged", damaged packages, etc. quite often now. Our postmen and postwomen at our local P.O. are wonderful people, but it is out of their control once the envelope/package already arrives to them damaged.

Wow that's too bad. Can you report it to anyone? Then I wonder would it do any good?