Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[tmkuroda]

Okay I have been thinking about all of this pretty much all night. I had weasel nightmares lol. My problem is that I pretty much live on a beach minus the water. VERY sandy soil. It would take a weasel about 10 seconds to dig 2 foot. So If I dig a trench down 1 foot and it is 2 foot wide should I just put the fence in the middle of that trench 1 foot down of course and then fill the trench with small rocks or gravel ?

 

[tdhenson86]

Hello everyone! Just wanted to put out there to all the Michiganders, that I have 2 Welsh Harlequin ducklings for sale. (craigslist link below) As I said on the add I am pretty sure that they are both girls. Very sweet babies, but I just have 2 to many girls, so would like these to go to a good home.

http://flint.craigslist.org/grd/3770137261.html

Thank you in advance!

Beautiful babies!

 

[tdhenson86]

Last night DH and I got into a tiff. he'd spent the entire day, sun up to sun down out turkey hunting. I said "since you got to do what you wanted today I would like to go to the MBGBA swap tomorrow". Well he goes on this big rant about how he had to go hunting this morning, that turkey tag isn't going to fill itself, he already had plans to go with friends, yada yada yada. So I'm miffed that I don't get to go to the swap. This morning I wake up and realize I'd somehow managed to sleep in (which I needed, trying to fight off a cold) but guess who I find in bed with me? Yeah, my husband. The same husband that told me I couldn't go to the swap because he was going hunting this morning whether I like it or not. So we both missed out on what we wanted to do today and I'm pretty annoyed to say the least.

I hope anyone that did get to go to the swap had a good time and was able to buy/sell some nice stuff. My search for heritage turkey poults continues. If it gets down to the wire I will probably try to order from Meyer, but I sure as heck don't need 20 poults so if anyone in the Detroit/Flint/Port Huron areas needs poults and wants to go in on an order with me that would be awesome. Or if you know where I can get some locally?

Sorry you missed out on a swap! But, I'm glad you got some much needed rest!

 

[tdhenson86]

Of all the odd places a hen can choose to lay an egg, how is this for a feat?







I have no idea how she managed to get positioned on the flexible mesh to lay this egg. The mesh separates the big girls from the Sebright chicks.
Of the Sebrights, 3 are cockerels and one tried his crow this afternoon. Sounded like a rusty gate hinge.

HA HA HA!!! That takes talent!!!!

 

[Lisa and girls]

Okay I have been thinking about all of this pretty much all night. I had weasel nightmares lol. My problem is that I pretty much live on a beach minus the water. VERY sandy soil. It would take a weasel about 10 seconds to dig 2 foot. So If I dig a trench down 1 foot and it is 2 foot wide should I just put the fence in the middle of that trench 1 foot down of course and then fill the trench with small rocks or gravel ?

 

Seems like that could work? We cemented ours down and have heavy rubber mats that surround the run. I was so nervous for my girls when we moved here because I'm originally a city girl and i didnt want anything to get them. Now they free range. Lol. So much for being nervous anymore. It's great for my youngsters that are growing out though! Cement might be cheaper as well maybe? Anyone else have thoughts?

 

[Lisa and girls]

Hope no one is offended by this. DH sent it to me and I thought it was pretty funny. Then I asked where is my wine?

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I have always wanted to tap our maple tree but thought with only one large sugar maple it wasn't worth it. Hope I am not wrong Deer population strong?!?! I have actually seen HERDS of deer this year driving back and forth between Taylor and Grayling. I can't remember seeing so many before in my life. Is there any place I can go that will tell me what all the abbreviations are? Fg EE NZ CA YIKES

I believe that they mean FG= Flemish Giants [rabbits]
EE=Easter Eggers
NZ= New Zealand [rabbits]
CA= California [rabbits]


Lots going on....Nova built another nice coop, Brethern has an adorable little mini mule born, John is hoarding maple syrup, Opa is up early as usual and he is going to put welsummer eggs in the bator and Raz has an acrobatic chicken, Silly has another dog........

I hope everyone gets to enjoy the warm weather this week

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Who uses the water nipples? I have one coming out of the top of a coke bottle. It absolutely does not leak, yet the bottom of my brooder is soaked. How do you handle that? I have watched my birds drink and always, some gets shook off onto the ground.

My second question of the day is, can we be sure my girls are girls? I posted pics but no one said anything. Here they are again. I'd like opinions please! Also please comment about the breed. I think they are ISA Browns. They were labeled red pullets from TSC, which are supplied by Townline. They all look exactly alike. So much so that I have not named them because only one has enough color difference to tell them apart!

I can't say for sure if any of them look like a boy but the one in the second pic looks more like a Rhode Island Red. Boys have a tendancy to feather out a bit slower than the girls and watch for the neck feathering as it is more pointy on the boys. It may be too early to ell but eventually they will either crow or lay and egg and then you will know for sure.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Hope no one is offended by this. DH sent it to me and I thought it was pretty funny. Then I asked where is my wine?

I may have to copy this and put it on the fridge, bathroom mirror, remote control, garage door, chainsaw, lunchbox.........

 

[snowflake]

Aside from a future coat of paint... It is done! I may in future also find a "just right" window... We'll see. I even managed a side nest box. I did change the lid on the nest box and am using a peice of the for sale sign now. Neighbor helped me cut it STRAIGHT. LOL
I also added a block board up there under the roof so it's still vented out the front, but if the rain is coming out of the east, it will not go in the coop. I hope I left enough gaps at the top for ventilation.

Of all the odd places a hen can choose to lay an egg, how is this for a feat?

Remember the "Pokey"








My new baby's name is "Little John's Absolute Spirit"

I think we might shorten that to "LJ"

It is a good thing I don't have any $$ I would have to hire someone to take care of all the animals I would have..He is too cute for words.. love the name,

I am Pea free today... glad they are going to a good home!

congrats on the pea's, hope you find the owner of the pup, looks so sweet

Nova that coop is awesome I love to reuse stuff. Boy I wish I could do stuff like that and not have to depend on the men around here. I was wondering what you think of a chicken yard? I worry bout my chickens free ranging. Do you think they can fly over a 4 foot fence or even want to? I have one neighbor really close to me and he don't like chickens.

electric 4 foot might work but yes although most of my hens will not fly over many do

I've contended all along that it is a matter of education.

very true,,, I have a cousin that has never owned or had any contact with farm animals but when some one in the group mentioned I had chickens she gave one of those looks,

I did not bother to try to explain that well kept animals do not stink, cause they all smell at some time as do we, and either you like animals or you don't

to each his own

Okay I have been thinking about all of this pretty much all night. I had weasel nightmares lol. My problem is that I pretty much live on a beach minus the water. VERY sandy soil. It would take a weasel about 10 seconds to dig 2 foot. So If I dig a trench down 1 foot and it is 2 foot wide should I just put the fence in the middle of that trench 1 foot down of course and then fill the trench with small rocks or gravel ?

you could dig down 2ft. and yes gravel or stones should help, most will dig and if they can't get through right away will go someplace were the meal is easier. I have not dealt with weasels though