Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

Also contact MDARD and ask why they are NOT supporting the law.

For all calls for the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, please contact the Customer Service Center at 1-800-292-3939.
The CSC is operated Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm ET. If you need to contact the agency after hours, please use the contact form below or email us.

E-mail is better because that will provide proof IF they reply. Even if they do not, it shows that they have been contacted.
[email protected]

Also the on-line contact...http://michigan.gov/mdard/0,1607,7-125-1572-85723--,00.html

This page lists the Ag Commissioners, their bios and contact information.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1572_2878-8251--,00.html

Another good place to contact is http://www.maeap.org/ This organization Has a wonderful set of tools to help you set up your farm to minimize environmental impact. I got part way through the process when it was halted by the main office. This is an excerpt from an e-mail sent to me by the first inspector, "In short, the MAEAP Program cannot supersede local laws in the establishment of a farm. We can guide you in the environmental practices, but we can’t verify your operation because it is not located in an appropriated zone.
I will keep you in our records, if you proceed with your case. Let me know if a different verdict comes out"
If you read their website, they state that they "helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks." Read more, http://www.maeap.org/get_verified





I wonder if the governor would grant me a pardon?

 

[SillyChicken]

Picked up some regular guinea chicks at FFH last night..reset the brooder box up out in the rabbit shed. Turkey poults should be coming today or tomorrow morning. ... Ha, I was mid typing this and got the call from the PO the chicks were in.... just got back! Lost only one, unfortunately it was a Sumatra chick.

and....... I have an unidentified turkey... was supposed to be a chocolate (the other 2 are beautiful chocolate with creamy white heads)... this one looks more like a Narragansett, Rio or bronze. Will post some picts........maybe someone on here could help.
I also got 15 packing peanuts.

(RIR roos)... that makes 22 of them now ........ so if anyone wants a RIR or Faverolle Roo($5).... let me know! I bought the faves but the RIR would be free.

 

[Ginger87]

Question regarding the coops, I am searching through all these amazing coops people have put together on the site here, and Most look like they would be best for the Southern people. Now come winter, do you keep the ventilation spots open still or do you cover them with something, and does everyone here add insulation as they built their coops? I am trying to pre plan my next coop and maybe start (slowly this time) building it in the next month so it's not such a mess like our "first" attempt.

 

[gladahmae]

Question regarding the coops, I am searching through all these amazing coops people have put together on the site here, and Most look like they would be best for the Southern people. Now come winter, do you keep the ventilation spots open still or do you cover them with something, and does everyone here add insulation as they built their coops? I am trying to pre plan my next coop and maybe start (slowly this time) building it in the next month so it's not such a mess like our "first" attempt.

We insulated. But, we're also on a field, and we get a LOT of wind in the winter, so it seemed like a good idea. It's not a requirement. Our big coop has ventilation on the ends that we close in the winter, and we ended up doing the same on our small coop (just stapled plastic over the openings) because it was blowing snow into the coop. If you're doing a BIG coop, I would think that just having the soffit/fascia not being blocked from the coop would be enough ventilation, but I'll defer to the more experienced.

Will the PO automatically call me tomorrow when the chicks come in, or should I go in/call them and let them know I have chicks coming and to please call me? They're coming from Meyer hatchery, so I'm *assuming* I'll automatically get called...?

 

[SillyChicken]

We insulated. But, we're also on a field, and we get a LOT of wind in the winter, so it seemed like a good idea. It's not a requirement. Our big coop has ventilation on the ends that we close in the winter, and we ended up doing the same on our small coop (just stapled plastic over the openings) because it was blowing snow into the coop. If you're doing a BIG coop, I would think that just having the soffit/fascia not being blocked from the coop would be enough ventilation, but I'll defer to the more experienced.

Will the PO automatically call me tomorrow when the chicks come in, or should I go in/call them and let them know I have chicks coming and to please call me? They're coming from Meyer hatchery, so I'm *assuming* I'll automatically get called...?

I have not insulated any of mine. I leave ventilation open all year round so heat can escape in summer and so moisture doesn't build up in winter.

You should let the PO know they're coming - give them the number to call you so you can come pick them up. Never assume! The chirping isn't always enjoyed by PO staff and they attract undesirable attention to themselves.

 

[RaZ]

Ventilation is vital in the coop. Even in winter.
Without ventilation the air becomes stagnant, ammonia may build up and excess moisture is trapped. All unhealthy conditions.

Keep a decent air exchange in the coop. In extreme weather conditions you can make a temporary closure but limit the time that you use it. Keep the vents positioned so that snow or rain or wind don't blow through.

I'm sure that some of far North and UP folk can show you how their coops are constructed.

 

[Fancy Favie]

one of these things just doesn't belong here, one of these things just isn't right! LOL!

Sarah, that is great - congratulations

My soil is heavy, thick, cold, rocky clay, and turns into a sea of mud with any significant rain or snowmelt. Starting in the fall I add hay or straw to the run as needed to keep their feet above the wet, and in the spring it starts breaking down on it's own and disappears by midsummer. The birds love it and spend hours picking through and turning it over.

So here are the two surviving chicks out of my "salmon Favarolles" eggs -



The person I got them from was really surprised too, she wondered if her husband had mixed the up eggs!

Said she would send me some more, but I am close to being done hatching for now and will probably just hold off.

I might have some Faverolle chicks available if your wanting more??? Could possibly bring to chicken stock if anyone is interested

 

[ldelahanty]

We have to flood his office with calls also he needs to tell you why Garden City is not charged with violation of the Right to Farm Act

 

[RaZ]

More publicity...
http://www.offthegridnews.com/2013/05/06/guilty-man-sentenced-to-jail-for-keeping-chickens/

The editor, Tony called me and wants to conduct an interview for the radio show. That will be next Tuesday with an air date of the following Friday. He told me that the story has generated over 40,000 hits since it was posted. WOW!

I still need to get the chickens re-homed. Let me know if you are interested.
3 ISA Browns, 1 BO, 4 BSL, 1 BLA, 2 Uggos. All proven layers. Also 8 11-12 Sebright chicks, 3 male and 5 female.

 

[ldelahanty]

Looks like a black sex link pullet to me, they are really great layers I hear, but ours is just about 4 weeks and is lovely