Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[kimmie6067]

Hi fellow Michiganders! I joined BYC a couple years ago when I got my first Chickens, then I kind of fell of the face of the farm lol. I have a batch of 6 new Silkie chicks on the way and I can't wait to show them off. Looking forward to talking to all of you!

Welcome WanaB!!!!! Love to see the babies

 

[ladyrsanti]

I love your usernames! WanaBfarmer and Whatshisface! There's a bright spot for the day. We need one because here's the view outside my window, at least. It was 15° when I woke up this morning. That doesn't seem like spring to me.

 

[cuppycake]

Last night after dinner and with our daughter in bed DH and I cuddled up on the couch in front of the fireplace... covered in silkie chicks! They are so dang cute and I can tell they already have tons of personality. So glad I found them. I had one hop from my lap up to my shoulder and then burrow into my hair to go to sleep. I'm smitten.

Their snuggles made me feel better after I had to pull yet another quitter out of my incubator. I candled on day 10 and it looked questionable but I decided to give it another day just to be on the safe side. I have 7 of my mystery eggs left. Only time will tell I guess.

Our puppies are now 2 weeks old. Gave them their first dose of wormer this morning, they didn't like it and their momma seems mad at me now. Their eyes are open now and they are getting cuter by the day.

In cases you lost count, here are all the babies at our house: a nine week old alpine goat, 16 six week old chickens, 4 new silkie chicks, 7 eggs in the incubator, 1 three week old BB white turkey, 3 two week old Chinese Crested pups, and a 2 year old human. Lol!

 

[ladyrsanti]

I posted this in the emergencies section and haven't seen hide nor hair of a response yet. Not that it's any sort of an emergency, I'm just impatient with little else to do but sulk in my bad case of cabin fever. Just wondering if anyone has seen these maladies in a chick before and if they pan out to be debilitating or deadly.

The little guy (or gal) has a hole in the top of its beak (ignore the blood, another chick started pecking at it). It's hard to see in the photo. The chick seems to have some labored breathing, not panting, beak closed. I'm not sure if it's related to the hole or some underlying defect as a result or a disease even. A little lethargic but only insomuch as the others will move and leave it sleeping alone until it wakes and rejoins them. A little slow on the uptake. Eats, drinks, poos fine. Bright-eyed. In addition to this, it has its wings on backwards (or that's what it looks like at least). I read about angel wing in waterfowl but obviously this is a chicken and it was born with it. When it hatched, the wings looked twisted, I noticed. And now that it has feathered, it's even more pronounced.

Anybody seen or heard of anything like this and what the prognosis might be if left untreated or otherwise "dealt with"?

 

[going country]

Ugh...snowing again, I could just curl up and cry. I guess this will make the warm weather that much better (when it finally gets here!).

I finally found my old user name (Sweechee) when I looked through all the BYC coops and found mine posted. I still don't know my password and I had a different email then, so I guess I'll be "going country" from now on.

We're thinking of getting a couple of Nigerian Dwarf goats this summer. Any recommendations on whether to get goats already in milk or doelings? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Have a blessed day everyone, and try to stay warm!

 

[cuppycake]

Ugh...snowing again, I could just curl up and cry. I guess this will make the warm weather that much better (when it finally gets here!).

I finally found my old user name (Sweechee) when I looked through all the BYC coops and found mine posted. I still don't know my password and I had a different email then, so I guess I'll be "going country" from now on.

We're thinking of getting a couple of Nigerian Dwarf goats this summer. Any recommendations on whether to get goats already in milk or doelings? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Have a blessed day everyone, and try to stay warm!

Does in milk will be more expensive than doelings as far as initial purchase price. Then again, if you buy a doeling you are feeding her with no return in milk until next year. Do you currently have any goats?

 

[going country]

Cuppycake,
We do not currently have goats, just in the discussion stages. We only have 3 acres so we wanted something small and something that earns its keep ;0). We already have chickens and are wanting to add to our homestead.

 

[cuppycake]

Cuppycake,
We do not currently have goats, just in the discussion stages. We only have 3 acres so we wanted something small and something that earns its keep ;0). We already have chickens and are wanting to add to our homestead.

You'll want at least two, they need the company. That being said if your family doesn't use all that much milk your second goat could be a wether or a pet type goat like a Pygmy. I recommend reading Storeys Guide to Dairy Goats.

We just got a new alpine doeling last week. I was a little worried bringing her home because she's so tiny compared to our full grown Nubians, but she melded into the herd nicely and has been adopted by our herd queen. I feel like when buying an older animal you need to get a very clear reason from the seller as to why they are giving her up. You don't want to end up with a doe that doesn't milk well, is a pain to get bred, has poor milking manners or is ill. It really comes down to your personal feelings. If I add to the herd I buy kids because then I can train them the way I like and the herd seems to accept them easier.

I don't have any Nigerians myself, but if you go on the Michigan Dairy Goat Society website (mdgs.org) they have a breeder directory.

 

[Stacykins]

Ugh...snowing again, I could just curl up and cry. I guess this will make the warm weather that much better (when it finally gets here!).

I finally found my old user name (Sweechee) when I looked through all the BYC coops and found mine posted. I still don't know my password and I had a different email then, so I guess I'll be "going country" from now on.

We're thinking of getting a couple of Nigerian Dwarf goats this summer. Any recommendations on whether to get goats already in milk or doelings? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Have a blessed day everyone, and try to stay warm!

It definitely is harder to find does in milk. It is easier to find dry does or doelings (especially doelings at this time of year) than a doe in milk. I finally have my first doe in milk, after a long wait for kids!

 

[going country]

Thank you both! I've read all the books and info on the Internet that I've been able to find (hubby laughs at the amount of research I do...same thing I did with the chickens). I guess we'll see what's available when we get a spot ready.