Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[tdhenson86]

Two chicks hatched today - more than a full day early. They were within minutes of each other. And now nothing, and it's making me nervous.
Chick one was a mix from our bantam coop. If I didn't know I would say it was a faverolle, but we don't have any right now so it must be a silkie cross, 5 toes, yellow, feathered legs, pink beak and yellow orange legs and no knobby head. The other is a Olandsk dwarf who still has his shell stuck to his feathers and dragging both parts with him. I told my son he should either be named Little Turtle or Shelldon. I sure hope more hatch but two will at least give me a chick fix.

Bantams and Olandsk Dwarfs are known for hatching early. Don't give up on them just yet.

 

[tjbeckman]

I do. Please pm me

Me too

 

[DimondaleBergs]

Hello my fellow Michiganders!

My name is Stephanie and I'm new to BYC and new to raising chickens too!

My husband Aaron and I just got our first dozen chicks tonight.

We are looking forward to this adventure. I'm sure I will have tons of questions from those of you who have experience raising chickens. If you're willing to answer them that is.

 

[Maah]

Today I went to TSC, and the only chickens I bought were the stuffed ones. LOL. I did look though. BUT, since I have one hen who's chicks hatched over night, and 4 other hens sitting, I don't think I need buy chicks. I did however get an awesome pic of an ad while in TSC, and being that it may be considered offensive, I will PM the picture to anyone who needs a giggle...

Yes please if you don't mind.

....

Since I'm feeling better today, no fever, I stopped at FFH today (bought yet another chick, amber link this time... .though I really wanted a buff orp too & since 1/2 resisted, I figure that's an accomplisment). I also picked up a bag of higher protein feed for our month long broody silkie.

When I got home, I switched out her feed. Plus I opened up their coop some more to allow in more light, and I blocked off the nest boxes. It's only her & the roo in there, and he doesn't need the box, so now they're blocked. So I also sprinkled some feed and a little scratch on the ground and kicked her outside, (again as is our daily ritual for over a month now). She ate a few tidbits and then swooped back up into the coop (as is her daily usual)... Only this time, her boxes were blocked off. She paced around inside the coop, crabbing up a storm

and then came back outside all on her own! She continued to eat, would look at the ramp to the coop, pace a little and then ate more! She actually went into and out of the coop by herself again!

Phew! Hopefully this will work for her. She needs to be broke of her broodyness and put a little weight back on before I reopen the nest boxes. Hopefully it wont take to long. I'll continue to watch her closely for the next few days.

 

[minniefarm]

I stopped by TSC to check on chicks. Whitmore Lake has BOs, New Hampshire Reds, Black Sexlinks and some ducks. I was told they would have more breeds on Tuesday. I went home with a good thermometer for my brooder. I was given a lamp, but it's only 75 watts. I set it up but it doesn't get warm enough in my living room let alone in my colder basement. I REALLY don't want a heat lamp, I am away too long during the day and am afraid of the possibility of fire. I would love an EcoGlow, but man, that's a hefty price tag for 6 little chicks lol. Anyone have other ideas?

 

[RaZ]

Whitmore Lake was the TSC that I went to this afternoon. They had leghorns also.

Make sure any heat lamp is doubly secured with wire or chain. On the lamp base and the shroud.

 

[Lisa and girls]

Hello my fellow Michiganders!

My name is Stephanie and I'm new to BYC and new to raising chickens too!

My husband Aaron and I just got our first dozen chicks tonight. We are looking forward to this adventure. I'm sure I will have tons of questions from those of you who have experience raising chickens. If you're willing to answer them that is.

Congrats ad welcome!

 

[Amy PT]

Nova, I like to laugh, I like funny typos, and I like inappropriate. Please send me the photo.

 

[Wrightsx4]

I stopped by TSC to check on chicks.  Whitmore Lake has BOs, New Hampshire Reds, Black Sexlinks and some ducks.  I was told they would have more breeds on Tuesday.  I went home with a good thermometer forum my brooder.  I was given a lamp, but it's only 75 watts.  I set it up but it doesn't get warm enough in my living room let alone in my colder basement.  I REALLY don't want a heat lamp, I am away too long during the day and am afraid of the possibility of fire.  I would love an EcoGlow, but man, that's a hefty price tag for 6 little chicks lol.  Anyone have other ideas?

I used a 100 watt bulb in a brooder lamp (it says it can use up to 300 watts). I put a thermometer on the brooder floor and lowered the light until it read 90° right under the light. I think it was about 18" off the floor to start and raised it a little every few days and slowly reduced the wattage. Make sure to double secure it like mentioned earlier in the thread.

 

[tdhenson86]

Hello my fellow Michiganders!

My name is Stephanie and I'm new to BYC and new to raising chickens too!

My husband Aaron and I just got our first dozen chicks tonight.

We are looking forward to this adventure. I'm sure I will have tons of questions from those of you who have experience raising chickens. If you're willing to answer them that is.

Congratulations on your first chicks! Before you know it, you will be a full blown chicken addict like the rest of us.

Welcome!