Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Opa]

Just looked outside and it's enough to make a feller want to go back to bed, pull the covers, and not come out till May. So tired of this up and down winter.

Chicks are growing like crazy and today I will remove platform from the brooder that allow them access to the waterer. As they continue to grow taller I will continue to remove sections of the platform and by the time they are standing on the floor it should be warm enough to put them outside in the grow out cage.

 

[snowflake]

Hi, we live SE Mi to, newbies also. My husband is building our coop, we have 12 of the little buggers , Isa Reds mostly. Have you decided on how to keep your coop warm next winter?

Welcome Kat, and tricia, and any one else I may have missed, check out Raz's siggy, for info on the June chicken stock in Lansing, All are welcome

Love that last photo... little blondie looking up

me too

Just looked outside and it's enough to make a feller want to go back to bed, pull the covers, and not come out till May. So tired of this up and down winter.

Chicks are growing like crazy and today I will remove platform from the brooder that allow them access to the waterer. As they continue to grow taller I will continue to remove sections of the platform and by the time they are standing on the floor it should be warm enough to put them outside in the grow out cage.

I agree but we are on our way to Kalamazoo for a living history event DH never misses, Black powder fanatic, lots of sellers and a fun place to people watch

 

[Lisa and girls]

Gave my 3 week olds their first taste of yogurt. Big hit although they wore most of it. Pretty entertaining watching them fling around what was about a teaspoon of the stuff.

 

[tdhenson86]

Gave my 3 week olds their first taste of yogurt. Big hit although they wore most of it. Pretty entertaining watching them fling around what was about a teaspoon of the stuff.

Ha ha ha!!! They sure know how to make a mess of just about anything at that age!

 

[dascountry]

Heres the little ones that hatched yesterday. My first experience incubating. Twelve out of 20 eggs that I started with.

 

[minniefarm]

Hi! Relatively new to BYC. Thought i would stop by MI thread and say hi! Will check it out more later. I am in SE Mi
I have 7 chickens - first time chicken mom. They are almost 6 weeks. We get our coop this weekend finally!

Welcome! I'm pretty new too. I have 6 that picked up a week ago today! Love the horse in your pic.

 

[Lisa and girls]

Heres the little ones that hatched yesterday. My first experience incubating. Twelve out of 20 eggs that I started with.

So cute!!!

 

[minniefarm]

It's a sloooow morning. Checked the chicks, fed the wild birds and brought in wood. That's it! I'm seriously contemplating going back to bed. Before I drift off I have questions for you all.

1. All but one of my week old chicks have tail feathers. The one without also has shorter wings. She's has pretty much the same color but I am thinking maybe a different breed? BO maybe? All six came from the mystery red pullet bin.

2. I keep reading about a grow out pen. Do you use that only if you have hens already and need to separate the pullets when they first go out? Is it ok just to put 6-8 week old pullets in a coop with no other birds?

3. I have to go to TSC for dog food. I will try REALLY hard not to look at chicks. I wanted a BA or two. If they have them, is it ok for me to put them in with my week old chicks, or will they get picked on too much?


4. I was thinking next winter that I would wrap my coop in tyvek if it seemed too drafty. The vents are all up top so no worries with that. Good plan?

 

[NovaAman]

A lot of people use a grow out pen to keep the young safe from the older until they are roughly the same size. With hens doing the work, I don't bother. BUT when I am doing the work, I do use a pen sectioned off from the rest. BUT since you are going have no larger birds in teh coop they are going into, you won't need to worry about a grow out pen until you decide to add more birds in future.

If you are going to get more chicks, can you put a divider in the brooder?

 

[RaZ]

I agree, this weather stinks.
I had planned to cut and split wood today. I was supposed to have some help but got stood up via e-mail yesterday.

Anyway, I might get something done, it looks like it is melting. I'll enjoy another cup of coffee. I usually take my coffee black but I picked up a pint of half and half from Calder Dairy. Wow what a great flavour real milk and cream adds. They also make butter and ice cream. Very high quality dairy products.