Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[yorkchick]

Well, if you have any reason to be Ann Arborish before then let me know. I could meet up with you somewhere, or you could stop by Quagmire Acres and get a chicken/goose/turkey fix along with the eggs. For sure this fall, when you start up again at Matthaei, it would be easy enough to get you eggs. What has this world come to, I ask you, when even a famous Criminal Chicken Keeper is forced to buy his eggs at the supermarket? A sad day indeed.

 

[preciouskitty]

I rather enjoy the canning debates that we have had here each year. I have only ever canned using water bath. I have also never used lemon juice when putting up tomatoes. After all these years of eating water-bath canned tomatoes, I have not yet had a jar go bad. Maybe I'm lucky.

Lol! I half expected you to chime in with some biological info! And I do know you prefer to see real "sources" for info Hey, how's about you open some of those maters w/out lemon juice & look at them under that awesome microscope? Store bought eggs? Egads! That is NOT right....

 

[EverMystique1]

Sadly I did buy eggs at the store. It has been many weeks (months) since I've had a real egg. Ashli gave me some about a month ago and I ate them in 2 days. I've been jonesing for eggs ever since and gave in for a substitute. I did buy the so-called "organic" eggs.

If ypu want to drive about 3 hours west, I have 6 dozen in my fridge... and get nearly a dozen a day.

 

[ZooKey]

I need a little advise and thought since my fellow Michiganders seem so be so knowledgeable I thought I’d try y’all here first. I’m new to raising chickens as I just started this past spring. I started out with what I thought were 8 buff orpington hens. Everything has been going fine so far my girls have nice coop and run with plenty of room and they free range nicely staying within the boundaries of my property. Last night I was working out in my barn on another project and I heard something I didn’t expect, a rooster crowing. It seems that Lucy is not a Lucy at all but maybe a Larry. I don’t have a problem with this however I did intend not to have a rooster out of respect for my neighbors but I do live in the country so I’m not awfully concerned about it. If it becomes a problem I have a friend a few miles away that would be glad to take him. My question to you guys is this: What are the implications to having a rooster in my flock VS not having one? Will it affect egg production? Are there concerns about fertilized eggs? Do I need to worry about violent outbursts with the rooster against my girls? As of now he seems to get along pretty well, sometimes if one of the hens finds a worm he’ll chase them around and try to steel it but I haven’t seen any physical violence at this point. He seems to have just found what his voice box is capable of and likes to hear it often but I don’t mind that so much. I was all clear on what my game plan was and it’s been working out great but now I want to make sure I’m going to be a good chicken daddy in light of my new situation. Thanks in advance guys and ladies….

 

[tdhenson86]

My  birds are all moulting  early too.   I do think it's an early winter unfortunately.

I forbid you to speak such things! lol

 

[taprock]

My question to you guys is this: What are the implications to having a rooster in my flock VS not having one? Will it affect egg production? Are there concerns about fertilized eggs? Do I need to worry about violent outbursts with the rooster against my girls?

A rooster won't affect egg production, fertilized eggs are only going to be an issue if you let the girls sit on them. If you collect eggs everyday you have no worries of finding an embryo - that takes more than a week. Roosters are nice to have around as they watch out for danger and generally oversee the flock. They can wear off feathers on the girls backs. The only concern is if they decide you are the threat. With roosters it seems it can go either way, I've had super sweet and just nasty ones.

Twice in the last week I have had a chance to introduce people to chickens. I took two to the farmer's market , just to be petted. A neighbor of mine who just moved this spring fell in love with a Showgirl and wants to come visit an learn what she needs to do to have them. Then yesterday we had a couple come to buy a stove we had. I didn't realize they were here and went outside to find my son is talking to the lady and explaining chickens to her. They fell in love with our OEG roo and were almost ready to take him home. It has been fun giving out chicken info that people are awed over.

For those of you who do or have done showmanship. My son wants to use his rooster that had frostbite and lost its tips to its comb. He planned on pointed out the damage to the judge and explaining what it should have. Would he be marked down because of the damage on the bird, they say they only look at the person not the bird but I find that hard to believe.

 

[1muttsfan]

While tomatoes can be safely canned in a hot-water bath, it is important to use canning varieties if you don't add acid. Many modern tomato varieties are low-acid, including slicing varieties such as beefsteaks. In addition, growing conditions can affect tomato acidity. Adding lemon juice has NO impact in the flavor of the finished product.

Botulism is a bacteria that grows in the absence of oxygen. The bacteria form spores that are resistant to heat (although not to a combination of heat and pressure), and can start growing again after processing if not inhibited by high acid levels. The toxin produced by botulism if flavorless and colorless, and can not be detected.

 

[ladyrsanti]

The criminal chicken keeper is forming a band of renegade egg runners.

I'll be in Farmington Hills on Sunday the 1st of Sept. I'm sure we could find some shady back alley.


A couple of my birds are also moulting.

 

[countrybiggen]

Hello everyone

I have a Rhode Island Red rooster in need of rehomeing. (If we can't find a home for him he will have to be culled.) His name is Randy and he will be two years old on the 19th of August.

The reason I need to re-home him is because since I have added another rooster to my flock (June of last year) he has become very aggressive towards the new rooster, and he is starting to take it out on his hens. He does really well with them when the other rooster isn't around. He does great with protecting the hens, and although he isn't compassionate towards people, he does great with them. He doesn't mind kids, and he has never shown any sign of aggression towards people.

If you are interested in him or would like to know more about him, please feel free to PM me.

Here are a few pictures of him.

Note: He DOES NOT do well with other roosters. He would do best at a home that doesn't already have roosters, or has room for him to be able to have his flock of hens.

Hey Im very interested , where are you located at or nearv?

 

[ZooKey]

Thanks so much taprock that's what I was hoping to hear. My new roo so far is my most loyal bird, he enjoys being held and loves to sit on the arm of my lawn chair when I sit for a break. I'm glad to hear that it may be beneficial to keep him around. I'm going to let it ride and see how it goes, hopefully all will be well. Thanks again....