Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[SillyChicken]

We are trying to get word out about the next Ag meeting on November 6th., in Lansing.
They are introducing the proposed GAAMP for site selection and the draft does not look good for small farms or backyard livestock.

While MDARD is either over-regulating a small scale farm or making it illegal, they are also reducing the regulations for large corporate operations. The potential is that only big farma will have RTFA protection and with virtually no oversight at all.

If you can, please join us at 9:00 at
Constitution Hall, ConCon Room
525 W. Allegan, Lansing

is there a draft available for viewing?

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Good morning everyone! I just realized I'm first one posting today. I'm not sure how Opa posts coffee pix, but, coffee anyone?

Opa? Where are you?

Got the date in the calendar, thanks RaZ...

 

[RaZ]

If anyone is interested, I just placed an order for the "no trespassing" signs representing USC Title 18...

The signs will run ~$10 for a corrugated plastic version. Aluminum and other backings can be ordered but will cost more based on the material used.

PM me if you want one.

 

[Opa]

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how fast kids grow. It doesn't seem possible that this is the same girl that I once cleaned spaghetti from her hair.

 

[gaitngirl]

Glad - even without the poultry-killing issues, I have too many fosters here anyway. I wasn't set up to take in mama and nine pups. And I'm not set up for 3 large teenage dogs. These poor boys should be bonding with their forever families, not stuck in crates while I'm at work. I can't leave them loose because the three together are too destructive without supervision. The rescue is tiny - it's come down to just the person that runs it and myself for fostering. Many of the others fosters either proved unreliable (many only lasted a couple weeks before it became 'too much work') or became foster failures (adopted their charges). There are only 3 dogs in our care, including these two, that are not pit bulls. And I don't foster pit bulls. Originally, I fostered for Doberman Rescue (in the mid to late 90's) until I adopted two and was at my 'dog limit' within the city. Now this city is being overrun with pits, cane corsos, and other 'tough' mastiff and bully breeds. And trying to find good fosters is near impossible. I had originally agreed to become a temporary foster again (emphasis on temporary) with the intent on becoming a foster failure when we found a dog to fit our family. And it was supposed to be with Doberman Rescue, not an all-breed rescue. Really, really long story there . . .

 

[gaitngirl]

Anyway, here are pics (Sillychicken) of the two that desperately need another foster home or forever home. Not recommended for homes with poultry unless someone has the time and experience to work with them on not killing birds. Would probably be excellent duck hunting dogs!! Haha! Both are extremely affectionate, very smart (often too smart), very strong, carsick to the extreme, and very protective of their people. They are believed to be a mix of golden and chow on their mama's side and lab/hound on their dad's. Two of the pups from this litter bay like hounds or beagles. I thought they looked a bit pittish in the face but I know a lot of mutts with absolutely no pit in their background still sometimes have 'that look'.


Boomer (not the main chicken/duck killer but still goes nuts around them - and did participate in the eating of one duck . . . )

Wolfie - lives up to his name, unfortunately. Is very food motivated and, unfortunately, will go after poultry.

 

[preciouskitty]

Opa? Where are you?
...

I was just about to PM Opa & ask the same thing! THEN, just saw the pic, Sam, of your GORGEOUS niece! Forgot that you mentioned she was coming for this week/weekend...

So. Yesterday the birds were out free ranging & decided going into the woods would be cool (Partridge already does, she has built a nest there & sometimes lays in it). All of a sudden DH yells that SOMETHING is going on out there. Not sure what spooked/went after them (probably a raccoon, the gold kitty, or most likely a hawk based on the WAY they hid themselves), but they scattered & hid.

The reason I suspect hawk is when I finally found those that hadn't made a mad dash back to their favorite resting spot under the deck around the bushes & weeping cherry tree....and maybe I am attributing WAY TOO MUCH intelligence to them....the 3 roosters had huddled under a log with Lela (BCM), the others buried within brush at the edge of the woods. And they were all PERFECTLY still, so still that when I went to grab a few that NEVER let me easily pick them up, they were actually limp! (While I was searching for birds, DH had a predator "dispatcher" & was searching the woods, never found anything)

I found this behavior interesting...it never ceases to amazes how I keep learning something new about how the birds react in different situations. Figured hawk since they all went into hiding with some type of top cover. A ground predator could've had a field day with the way a few of them were locked down! Again, maybe I am giving them too much credit, but I am still a newbie.

In the end, no losses, but, once they realized it was safe, they made a beeline for the "under the deck" spot, & pretty much stayed here for the remainder of the afternoon.

 

[Opa]

I guess I should have been more specific. The picture is of my granddaughter. I just can't believe she has grown up as fast as she has. The niece that visited was Granny's. She has two nieces and a nephew and both of the nieces have visited this summer and the nephew is planning a visit soon. Sure made the old girl happy.

 

[preciouskitty]

I guess I should have been more specific.  The picture is of my granddaughter.  I just can't believe she has grown up as fast as she has.  The niece that visited was Granny's.  She has two nieces and a nephew and both of the nieces have visited this summer and the nephew is planning a visit soon.  Sure made the old girl happy.

Actually, I think you were specific, I just mixed up the two consecutive visits!

Well, your granddaughter is GORGEOUS

 

[Jake Levi]

You havew an absolutewly beautiful granddaughter !

and yes, I can picture her as a younger version with spaghetti in her hair.

It is great to be able to rescue and to rehome the unwanted dogs, I wish that I could.

Right now I seem to be stalled on rehoming an Iowa Blue trio, 2 beautiful pullets and a really flashy cockeral.

This is a beautiful start for someone wanting to help this recovering heritage homestead breed. Both pullets are near POL.