Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[gladahmae]

SNAKES??? Yuuuuuuck! I'm fine with them being there as long as I don't have to see them.


I'm trying to mentally puzzle through having a roadside farm stand next year with eggs and veggies. I think I might be able to break even on costs if I do it.

Right now, I'm almost even on feed with the eggs I'm selling, which is really all I can ask for on that front. I'm considering trying to sell some chicks in the spring.....I know that silkies would sell, and probably some wyandottes. But I don't really know for certain. A lot of people sell mixed breed chicks on CL.....or at least have listings for them. We just live in a somewhat rural area, and a lot of people have gardens and a few chickens. I don't have the quantity of birds to go to the farmers market to sell eggs, so that's out too.

Anyone else dabble in this? I'd love to hear some tips or experiences.

 

[1muttsfan]

Snowflake, it can be tricky to put mature roos together, they often will defend their territory and girls against what they see as intruders, and usually the little guys get it the worst. If you do try them together, do so in a large area for a while, to give the little guys a chance to get away. Confining them to a small area like a coop (as in when bad weather hits) makes it a lot worse.

 

[RaZ]

You can often re-purpose a shed for a lot less money than that guy is charging. Heck, you can buy a brand new 8'x8' shed kit for a lot less than $1200. Is your shed sturdy enough to be converted? Check for rot and other hidden damage.

I've found that chickens are not that critical of what kind of coop they have as long as it is big enough and not over crowded.

Anyway, show us some pictures and I'm sure some of us can give you some tips (maybe even help if you are close).

 

[Amy PT]

The kids picked apples from grandma's tree a few days ago, so I made crockpot apple butter last night. It tastes kind of burned.

 

[chickflick]

I had a standard rooster mount a bantam hen and hurt her. Guess she got internal injuries and she died.

Sam, I've got the same thing. My thumb and wrist are hurting. Dr wanted to give me a shot and I pulled away and said no way! Hate them and are only a temporary fix. It's like carpal tunnel. The tendon in your wrist was irritated and swelled and now the sheath around the tendon is squeezing the tendon. I got a thumb support brace and wore it for a few weeks. Put ice on your wrist. It's better now.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Please everyone don't feed apple cores to your birds. I fed some to my little d'uccles and my sweet rooster ate the seeds. He got really sick and is dying. I am crushed about this since he was my little love and i was the one who did this to him. Many happy hours together in the old lawn chair.

Most things i read said that it would be ok, but i know for sure since he was fine a few hours before. I also know what poisoning looks like and he was a classic case.
Apparently if the seeds pass whole they might be ok but if they grind them up at all...............

 

[RaZ]

I had carpal tunnel relief surgery back in 1998. Best thing that ever happened to me.

 

[preciouskitty]

Quote:
Oh..I am so sorry..so sad Many things I have read re: chicken treats say to avoid feeding apple seeds as they contain cyanide..apples ok, but REALLY try to avoid any seeds... But, I have also seen plenty of people say that their chickens eat apples from their orchards, seeds & all, and are perfectly fine! So, maybe your poor baby really didn't get sick due to the apple core & it is just one of those things ?

 

[Amy PT]

Oh, fuzzy, I'm sorry. You've had a difficult summer with your birds, eh?

 

[SillyChicken]

Sorry Fuzzy...