Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[kimmie6067]

Trees are budding out, flowers are shooting up, grass is getting green, chickens are happily chasing bugs and its supposed to be in the 70s next week. Yippy!!!

Our grass is dead forever I think, nothing green except some daffodills and barely those up about 8 inches, come on spring I am ready!

 

[RaZ]

Hops are growing well. The tallest is 35 inches now.
Raspberries are coming up as well.

One benefit of living in SE Michigan.

 

[snowflake]

I know. Except SO won't. We have

you have had enough advise so I'll just give you a hug

Animals considered to be exotic shall include, but are not limited to:
A. Llamas, alpacas, and other camelids
B. Goats, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, geese and other common or unusual
farm animals and fowl.
C. Ostriches, emus, peacocks and pheasants.
D. Burros, donkeys and miniature horses.
E. Common or unusual zoo or circus animals.
F. Others, as determined by the zoning administrator.

So I have to pay $

I don't see horses on that list, only miniature horses, could it be one that wrote that list has horses???
now that you have asked you will have to play by there rules, good thing you did though or you could end up like Raz. fighting for yrs.

Are there any certified NPIP testers from Kent County on here, or anyone in Kent County that would recommend a particular tester? Mad I missed taking the class in March. I got a list, but don't know which one to pick.

Farmer boy and I are, however the antigen is very $$$ and that makes testing a problem. I have a small amt, Farmer boy is using now and I will do my hens when he is done. if there is any left we may be able to help you,

Hops are growing well. The tallest is 35 inches now.
Raspberries are coming up as well.

One benefit of living in SE Michigan.

very nice. things are not that advanced here and the poor people farther north are still seeing Lots of s####


got little done today had to make a couple trips to battle Creek, glad I don't have to do that every day
hope tomorrow I get spring cleaning done in coop, and maybe some gardening

 

[gladahmae]

Hi Glad, can you explain "pipped into the aircell" and "float tested", I am new to this hatching thing and need to learn.

Thanks Kimmie

I can only explain what they mean to me in realtion to what I've read. A quick search will probably provide better information, especially about float testing.

Pipping refers to when a chick pierces through the membrane of the egg as one of the first steps of hatching. From what I understand, they first pip into the aircell at the top of the egg, and then through the shell where they then "zip" a circle around the egg and then pop out. In this case, the chicks did the first part, but never broke through the shell.

Float testing is usually done with over-due eggs, or eggs that are so small that you can't candle them easily or accurately (like quail eggs). Basically, you put the eggs in a bowl of water that is 99.5 degrees, and if the egg wiggles on its own, the chick inside is alive. If it doesn't move, the chick is dead. I only did this because I was pretty sure that we had a lot of dead chicks-in-the-shell because of my heat issues and my very limited space in the other incubator. There are some really good videos of float testing that you should search for.

 

[NovaAman]

I am hoping to get the coops cleaned up tomorrow too. Its finally not so squishy where I sink... My coops have NEVER looked so bad or smelled like muddy poop pits...

 

[kimmie6067]

I can only explain what they mean to me in realtion to what I've read. A quick search will probably provide better information, especially about float testing.

Pipping refers to when a chick pierces through the membrane of the egg as one of the first steps of hatching. From what I understand, they first pip into the aircell at the top of the egg, and then through the shell where they then "zip" a circle around the egg and then pop out. In this case, the chicks did the first part, but never broke through the shell.

Float testing is usually done with over-due eggs, or eggs that are so small that you can't candle them easily or accurately (like quail eggs). Basically, you put the eggs in a bowl of water that is 99.5 degrees, and if the egg wiggles on its own, the chick inside is alive. If it doesn't move, the chick is dead. I only did this because I was pretty sure that we had a lot of dead chicks-in-the-shell because of my heat issues and my very limited space in the other incubator. There are some really good videos of float testing that you should search for.

Thanks Glad

 

[Amy PT]

One of the week old cochin chicks looks like it might be starting with crossbeak. I am going to consult the magic Google machine, but if anyone here has any great info to share, I'm listening.

 

[Amy PT]

One of the week old cochin chicks looks like it might be starting with crossbeak. I am going to consult the magic Google machine, but if anyone here has any great info to share, I'm listening.

Except for culling. I know it's an option that some use, but not for me.

 

[gaitngirl]

I am hoping to get the coops cleaned up tomorrow too. Its finally not so squishy where I sink... My coops have NEVER looked so bad or smelled like muddy poop pits...

I'm with you - mine are bad, too. I've been layering hay in there to try to keep it dry and keep bumblefoot issues at bay (haven't ever had issue with it, never want to!). It helped some until the ducks took up residence, lol. Now it's really bad. I'm mucking it out and putting sand in there this weekend.

 

[minniefarm]

Big girl pictures!







I'm not seeing wattles, so I guess they are all girls!