Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Scifisarah]

I got almost all the rest of the supplies for our cottage style tractor today! This has turned into a several month project now. Ah the joys of being OCD, having small kids and no time! We went with "Darlington" (http://www.dutchboy.com/gallery/interiors/bedrooms/bedroom-retreat/index.jsp) which is a nice lavender with "Antique White" for the trim. We still need to buy wheels. I was thinking some sort of non-swiveling caster like this one, but will the metal on it rust? http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-pneumatic-rigid-caster-38943.html I'd love to find something cheaper since we need two of them. The ones I saw at Menards were $36 each, yikes! Think there is any way I could rig up some wheels from a kid's bicycle to the end of a tractor? It is 5x3' and quite heavy.

 

[paintwife]

http://www.9and10news.com/story/22830722/pig-farmer-faces-dnr-in-missaukee-county-court
Here's what I saw tonight.

 

[greenmimama]

I know I am rarely on here, but when I have questions, sometimes weather is a factor and I feel better asking you guys.

My hens only laid 5 eggs today, I have 42 layers, this is a problem.

Last Friday night we found a skunk in the coop, after getting him out, we penned all the girls up since then, they used to free range, now they are in a run, it is big enough for them to stretch out and get fresh air and dust baths, but they seem to hate it by the amount of eggs we are getting. The skunk can't get in when we don't let them out to free range, so I really don't think a skunk is eating the eggs, they are safe.

We normally get at least 2-3 dozen a day but it had really tapered off, then when we found the skunk we thought maybe that was the reason, now it is back down to super low rates.

Any advice is appreciated.

Also how to get rid of the skunk would be great too

 

[mg15]

http://www.9and10news.com/story/22830722/pig-farmer-faces-dnr-in-missaukee-county-court
Here's what I saw tonight.

Thank you.
Good to know what is going on.

 

[preciouskitty]

Is anyone interested in the blue maran roosters..show qaulity stock , french.. from linden michigan.. my friend has them and would like to sell them.

precious kitty- Congratulations on the eggs, what breed of pullets do you have, and if you have pullets that arent laying yet.. you may not want to start giving laying mash for the layers, the layer mash is not good for younger pullets that are not laying yet.. if you need to keep using chick grower for others just put a source of calcium out for the two layers they will find it..

i have isa that will be 16 wks in 4 days.. and they are sqauting, have big red combs, and i see my ee roo is trying to mate with them.. so i am hoping for eggs anyday.. i think they are getting pretty close..i got mine at tsc..

All of mine are 16 wks (2 EE, 4 Red pullet, & 3 NHR). The 2 EE & 1 NHR cockerel are trying to mate with anyone of the girls they can get their "hands" on!! One poor girl had all 3 try in succession! Got mine at TSC also. Could have been any of the pullets except the EEs.

Tomorrow will be adding my 2 FBCMs to flock, 20 & 23 weeks. Haven't layed yet, but expect soon. Very red & squatting. And big EE roo already courting them thru the fence!!

This is so exciting for a newbie!!!

 

[Stacykins]

My magpie ducklings are growing up big time! They're rather shy, and not quite as friendly as I would have hoped, despite daily, gentle handling and treats. Oh well, hopefully they come around. I have two females and one drake. The drake was sexed when was a day old (and I dabbed some blue kote on his down to tell him apart), and the other two I couldn't tell for certain if they were shy males or females. Well, two are quacking, so it is official!

They've been moved to a cage outside. It is so they can learn where 'home' is. I have two pekins who can also teach the little buggers the way of the barnyard, where food and whatnot is.

The drakeling is in front





The Nigora kids are also growing fast!

Bailey, looking silky as usual!


If his ears were any bigger, Ron would be able to fly with them.


Luna too


Luna sharing a goatling secret with her brother!

 

[Opa]

Having a skunk in the hen house would be a stress inducing incident as also would be confinement. Oft times a stressed flock will quit laying for an extended period of time.

 

[greenmimama]

Thanks Opa, I will see how we can normalize it for them

 

[kimmie6067]

Sad day, I lost my Snowball to heat stroke. She somehow got herself in the big birds run and couldn't find her way out or to the water. After we found her we gave her water and put ice packs around her but it was too late. It was not that hot today so I wasn't worried about letting her out. She sticks to her little yard and coop and rarely leaves it. She follows the rooster around most of the time.

I have been gone for three days, so sorry this has happened!!

 

[tdhenson86]

First eggs!!!!!! Went to coop to start cleaning & there were 2 cute little pullet eggs!!!!!

They are only ~16 wks old so wasn't expecting any for a few weeks yet!!!!!

Can/should I start them on layer feed now??



On a 3" x 5" card

YAY!!!