Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

Just makes me mad, the whole thing. Totally sue 'em. Or what might be better is getting even more publicity out of it. Let the world know how ridiculous these gov't officials are. Shame them. I do, whenever possible but my audience is small.

Raz, please update your story so we can spread it around!

There has been a bunch of publicity thus far. That is part of the problem. The city has been embarrassed as were the one or two neighbors. As a result, the harassment has been stepped up, even as some officials are backing away from the issue.

I'll add more to the story as much as I can. I like to wait a bit to approach it objectively before I post. And as for the legal aspect, I will not discuss on-going strategy until the case is resolved. Please bear with me.

 

[RaZ]

Raz, have you contacted the ACLU? Seems like all this bullying and misuse of public powers qualifies for some assistance - we do have RIGHTS in this country, and having non-criminal acts charged as criminal is - well - a CRIME.

I did and I was told that they like the cases that have potential "landmark decision" publicity. Local ordinance violation of state law doesn't meet the criteria.

 

[Scifisarah]

All this research for my MIL has made me realize, I really want some laying hens someday.

And I do want to get a mix so I can learn which I like best.

Everything is done on my current tractor, except I need to wait for our 3" hole saw to arrive tomorrow to put in the vents, and then I need to install the galvanized roof edge and roof. I have six 3" round vents - not sure if I should but them all on the front, or three on the left side and three on the right side so the air circulates through. Thoughts? Oh, and it needs wheels and a handle still. So I guess it isn't really a tractor until it is mobile!

 

[ladyrsanti]

There has been a bunch of publicity thus far. That is part of the problem. The city has been embarrassed as were the one or two neighbors. As a result, the harassment has been stepped up, even as some officials are backing away from the issue.

I'll add more to the story as much as I can. I like to wait a bit to approach it objectively before I post. And as for the legal aspect, I will not discuss on-going strategy until the case is resolved. Please bear with me.

If you don't want us to raise heck, just say so.

But I really think they should step down.

 

[ladyrsanti]

Well, that didn't come out the way I meant it to but you know what I mean. You get us all riled up but if we get out our pitch forks, it just makes matters worse for you. Just wanna help.

 

[1muttsfan]

No Farms -
No Food

 

[yorkchick]

Hmmmm, I'm considering Raz's advice on not doing the rainbow flock first. Hard to comment as it is exactly what I did as a grass-green newby. Of course, nobody advised me against it. I did ask if it was okay to mix standard and bantam fowl together as I really wanted both, and a local "experienced" chicken keeper (who I now know does a lot of things I disagree with, so today I wouldn't necessarily ask him anything) told me it was fine as long as they were raised together from chicks. But not only did I want a colorful egg basket, I wanted to know all my chickens as individuals. My main motivation in getting chickens, honestly, was the pet factor and not the egg factor. I was afraid if I got ten buff Orpingtons, or whatever, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart and I wouldn't enjoy them as much. Now if you'd told me the chickens would be happier with only one or two breeds, I might have been persuaded...

As it turned out, with my original chicks I got one BO, one NHR, one BSL, one GLW, two EE, and two bantam Sebrights (one silver and one golden). (There was also a black Jersey Giant and. black Silkie chick that didn't survive). I have to say they were generally a happy, cohesive bunch. The two EE's did pal around together a little more, but not exclusively. The two Sebrights were middle of the pecking order, and not especially bonded to each other. I think I have been lucky. Never had a particularly feisty hen, the worst thing that's happened hen-to-hen has been the occasional picking out of a blood feather, but it never went further.

Most of the new birds I've added have been hatched and introduced by Edna my silver Sebright and champion broody hen, and they've integrated fine. Two years ago at Chickenstock I bought two five day old golden Sebright chicks from Theron, and those two have stayed very clannish. They don't fight with anyone or get picked on (well, not since Stewie the ill-starred rooster went to solitary confinement for terrorizing them exclusively) but unless one or the other is broody, they are rarely more than a few feet apart. Once they finally believed the Stewie Nightmare was over and it was safe to come out of the coop, they decided they really like Virgil, the alpha rooster, and usually they are quite near him too.

I do love to watch all the chickens and their various interactions and social systems. Now I wonder if I would be seeing closer "friendships" if I had more of the same breed? Just speculating, I think they're pretty happy! And I do currently have four EE/Ameraucana hens, but they're not a clique or anything.

As I said, I think I got lucky to have hens that turned out peaceable and easygoing and friendly to each other. I swear I did not give them any diversity lectures or institute any anti-bullying policies or post signs saying (in Chickenese) "You can't say that you can't play."

 

[RaZ]

If you don't want us to raise heck, just say so.

But I really think they should step down.

Well, that didn't come out the way I meant it to but you know what I mean. You get us all riled up but if we get out our pitch forks, it just makes matters worse for you. Just wanna help.

Actually I would like to see more people raise heck. I want folks to get riled up over the loss of our rights.
I want to see people take a stand and voice their opinion. Helping one, helps many others.

I share my story in the hope that it helps others. My desire is to educate as many people as possible.

 

[RaZ]

Hmmmm, I'm considering Raz's advice on not doing the rainbow flock first. Hard to comment as it is exactly what I did as a grass-green newby.

Of course, nobody advised me against it.
As I said, I think I got lucky to have hens that turned out peaceable and easygoing and friendly to each other. I swear I did not give them any diversity lectures or institute any anti-bullying policies or post signs saying (in Chickenese) "You can't say that you can't play."

By no means do I claim to be an expert. I just happen to think that a same breed flock would be easier to start with.
I too started with a mixed flock and all was fine. I also broke other "rules" over the years with no ill affects.

I think the best advice for first-timers is to start with birds known to be calm and docile. Avoid impulse purchase of chickens just because the chicks are cute. Research and ask questions, then decide your own comfort level of caring for these wonderful animals.

 

[snowflake]

been camping for 2 weeks, DH
stayed home due to pressing work aroud the house, so he got the pleasure of driving grandson to and from work, and caring for the chickens. chickens all survived, as did grandson and son(who dis likes camping)
garden is over run with weeds hard to believe it was only 2 weeks from the size of some.

Welcome to all the new people I see a ## of new names. (only read back about 6 pages)

Raz sorry to hear you are still having so much trouble

unbelievable

came home to 3 more broody hens, trying to break them, Why is it when you want them to go broody they don't and when you don't , they do??

sorry for the losses keeping critters out is always a challange,

got the electric fene working, ground hog tunneled right under, Sooo thanks to the wet weather the clay is digable and I will be going down further with hardware cloth.

pool pump died, pool is GREEN ,finished draining now to decide what to do??

My be hot tomorrow, if you have yard work try to get out early