Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Trefoil]

so........no one answered my random question about the TSC coops sturdiness or lack of......

Does that mean the whole idea was nuts? There really is a way to do a "for looks" one cheaper??? I can do functional, it's the "pretty" that i have trouble with All i have to work with is very basic tools.... I thought about beadboard, or thin board similar to what you'd get off a pallet, but got stumped when it came to making the edges pretty and figuring how to secure the hardware cloth without the screws being overly visable. I had really good ideas, too, if i could do one. (Or is there someone who has tools and wants to build a coop with me?) I'm looking at the thing as i would a piece of furniture, which essentially it will be if it has to be inside.

Since my breeding program was based on personality primarily, i HAVE to keep at least the one hen to be my "eve" for any future flocks. Anyone that remembers my basketball hen that i loved, this little pullet is her second daughter and if she had blue markings instead of black would BE her mother. (My little blue and buff hen i'm holding in my avitar, she was the one with the 5 inch fluff! That bird lived to be held, waited every day by the door for me. Had a heat stroke last summer with the horrible heat wave, wanted out of chickens until i held her daughter )
So a touch of desperation here.

I had to move for personal reasons, i need the aviary/coop before i can move into my own place; that's why i was looking at the TSC ones. Right now i'm driving an hour each way just to care for my birds! So time is not on my side here and i'd appreciate any comments/ input!

If you are desperate and don't mind having to do work on it to make it predator proof and weatherproof go for it. They are pretty, but the small coops like that are just for looks. I got mine on ebay from I believe it was coops and more. It was cute, and tiny, and very flimsy.

 

[ladyrsanti]

Oh, stop with this. For real?! Adorable. I know nothing of chicken genetics. Is it possible to get the blue/green eggs from BO/EE cross hens? Hm.... I might be begging you for a pullet.

Someone on the March Hatch thread said they had a BO/EE cross that laid green eggs. They posted a picture of her and she was a pretty bird. So it's possible. Dunno how likely. I will definitely try to make it to Chickenstock this year with any extra pullets and of course, roos.

 

[taprock]

As I said yesterday I made a path for the chickens and they were all over the place. During the summer I do a head count at the end of the day to be sure everyone is in. I haven't done it in months because they never go far. However, I was thinking with extra space I should start doing it again.... but I didn't. This morning I (or rather the dog) found Larry and Curly outside on their "roost" seeming very cozy. I guess I need to be counting again. Thankfully they survived with no problems.

 

[minniefarm]

Taprock- Glad Larry and Curly are ok. Love thier choice of roost. You know you are a Michigander if your chickens roost all night on a sled!

My chicks are starting to get more color. Feathers are coming in nicely. How long before combs start to grow? I am anxious to see if I have a roo or not!

 

[Lisa and girls]

That's great! Had to show hubby that pic. He races snowmobiles so he got a kick out it.

 

[snowflake]

Nova Love the broody on a broody could get some $$ for that video,

some one asked about chicken stock,,, it is a great pot luck for chicken lovers held in Lansing June 22, check out Raz, siggie, or Mi chicken stock I think in the forum

Love the st. patties goat pic, cute!!!

the chick picks are so cute!! you should take them to bed with you every night, they looked very content

Got some sun the AM, enjoy while we can!!

 

[SillyChicken]

Now that I'm here...does anyone have experience w/hen and toe "issues"? we have one who was limping...looked at her toes, worked on them and one ended up falling off....she's broken her middle toe and we have her isolated....nursing her...thougthts? suggestions??

I was also going to suggest frost bite. What kind of roosts do you have for them? In our climate, wide (4") roosts are best as it allows the bird to cover their feet better. Next question is what kind of ventilation, and where is it in the coop?

 

[SillyChicken]

Been awhile again! Boiling sap and remembering giving away my syrup at chickenstock last year. Saps flowing strong this year! All my critters- Toggies, flemish's, chickens, and Mr. KC the duck have soring fever. Still trying to decide if I want to bring bunnies to CS this year? Nobody seemed interested last time I was on. Well, take care peeps, seems like everyones a newbie to me now except Laura, Silly, Kimmie, Nova, and a few others.

I'd love a flemish, but you're too far away from me under normal circumstances. Would it be too much for my nz/ca mutt does to breed to a flemish buck because I do need a new buck. We can discuss a purchase of a young buck if you have one. Wish you had Nigerians cause I'm looking for a doe too! I'd love Stacykins little girl but... she's gotta be all greedy and keep her for herself! (JK)

I'm not sure what I'll have this year.. I may be keeping all my turkeys if they lay any fertile ones.... will bring a batch of rabbits. I have a bunch of roosters to get rid of so I may bring them as well.

Raz, I have one faverolle hen (from the hatchery) that is too brown in her feathering and two that I hatched that have no beard feathers but are correct in color.... are you still interested in some? PM me.

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Her middle toe is turning black now....I'm pretty sure she'll lose it soon; anyone know if she'll be able to make it w/out 2 toes? I'm hoping that she's limping now because the middle toe where it will separate, is sore and when her toe drops off....she'll feel better....thoughts appreciated

We've got 4 inch roosts, have 70-80 hens...no one else has this issue.....no idea what happened!

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

We've got 4 inch roosts, have 70-80 hens...no one else has this issue.....no idea what happened!