Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[taprock]

Tap, do you just use the seeds? or layer pellets too?   I couldn't get the crap to drain through the holes, so had to scoop it out........ and what do you use to activate the fermentation?

I'm only using grain at this point, it looked like the rest would be a pain and most places up here don't have pellets. When I started I dumped in acv and some yeast. I haven't added anything in a while, but I tend to go on smell and bubbles.

 

[ladyrsanti]

It's so dark here, I think the chickens went back to bed!

NOAA now says we've got 3" of rain so far with another 2-4" possible by tomorrow morning. The "lake" in the orchard soaked in. The ditch is raging deep and draining water from a field a couple of acres down the road. It's full of sediment and smells like manure. That's just... nasty. The basement is fine. The sump pump hasn't even risen or run so I think we'll be okay (first major rain since we moved here last year, learning experience). All the animals are fine but the coop is drenched. I'm going to be cleaning out all the wood chips soon anyway so I'm not too concerned.

Definitely testing the well in a week or so after this.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Help my hen is getting beat up ... of course you know what happened so now she is by herself in a rabbit.hutch. What to do now?

Kimmie, I had a Pekin Drake like that and one poor duck getting picked on. I'd say get her healed up, do y'all use Blue Kote on your chickens? There is another remedy they like over on the Duck Side also, I'll try to find out. Anyway, I'd get her healed up then I'd get rid of the rooster. Just my opinion.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

It's so dark here, I think the chickens went back to bed! :/    NOAA now says we've got 3" of rain so far with another 2-4" possible by tomorrow morning.  The "lake" in the orchard soaked in.  The ditch is raging deep and draining water from a field a couple of acres down the road.  It's full of sediment and smells like manure.  That's just...  nasty.  The basement is fine.  The sump pump hasn't even risen or run so I think we'll be okay (first major rain since we moved here last year, learning experience).  All the animals are fine but the coop is drenched.  I'm going to be cleaning out all the wood chips soon anyway so I'm not too concerned. 

Definitely testing the well in a week or so after this.

Good advice, I think. Rain looks to be a county west of me still, but I've already tended the flock and I'm hoping they all get back in bed. They wanted to range, but Holly said No. Agggggh I hate rain like this!!!! Thanks all you Michiganders here for letting me vent. Try to stay dry everyone.

 

[gaitngirl]

Hello Michiganders,

There's someone in Columbiaville, MI who has a lot of poultry posted on Craigslist. Chicks and laying hens and some ducks and turkeys as well. I wondered if anyone has bought birds from there and what they were like? Would appreciate hearing about anyone's experiences. Thanks!

PS--I just posted some free OEG bantam cockerels in the BST area if anyone is interested. They are my extras from an order from Ideal Hatchery. If I don't get rid of them earlier I will bring them to Chickenstock.

I've been watching Art's posts on CL, too, and was curious. I'm thinking about taking a drive out to look at a few chicks there.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Hello Michiganders,

There's someone in Columbiaville, MI who has a lot of poultry posted on Craigslist. Chicks and laying hens and some ducks and turkeys as well. I wondered if anyone has bought birds from there and what they were like? Would appreciate hearing about anyone's experiences. Thanks!

No direct experience, but have seen the ads. Also seen the "will rehome your unwanted poultry" ads from what looked like same. Personally, my opinion is that seems like lots of birds moving thru that individual, so I suppose one would need to make their own decision on that one.

 

[chickflick]

Yes A LOT of birds move thu his place. Don't know if he know exactly the ages and so forth. Krisrose rescued a poor SLW that was by herself with a bunch of roosters. Poor thing...
All I can say is quarantine the birds that you do get from him.


Yes, this is April.... in Michigan. Come to expect winter to last till at least May. Make no outdoor plans until mid May. If there are a few "nice" days thrown in... consider yourself blessed!

 

[RaZ]

Hey NovaAman,
I have one of those cubes and I have been trying to figure out how to turn it into a coop, too! I was thinking maybe a solid door (but how to do the hinges?), hardware cloth over the other openings, those plastic panels (Suntuf?) for the roof, and the shelf can be the nesting area? I was thinking of putting a couple of branches across for roosts. It might work for some banties, for the summer at least! Do you you have other ideas?

Attaching hinges and what nots can be done two ways with hollow blow-moulded plastic.
One way is to use blind rivet that are designed for plastic. They have wings that expand behind the wall, kind of like a dry-wall molly. They are rather expensive and you need a rivet gun to fasten them.
An easy way is to drill a 1/4" hole through both walls, then a 1" hole on the back wall only. Fasten your hinge with 1/4 bolt, washer and nut. The bigger hole on the back allows you to get the washer and nut on the bolt and tighten with a socket.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Another tip that might work: I have found that recycling trampoline tarps makes for an excellent shade roof! (but like any roof, it will need structure if you expect it to bear any load whatsoever.)

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

73'F Now... Snow Tomorrow! Only MI