Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[kathi48836]

HI Again Everyone,
Thank you all so much for the heartfelt response to our weasel chicken massacre. Not to worry, I will not release any captured weasels into a new neighborhood, they will go the same place they sent my chickens. Today our 3 year old Granddaughter came over for her weekly visit, it was heartbreaking to tell her our "Ladies" were chicken dinner for a weasel. She was so excited to pick up our first egg last Tuesday, it broke my heart to tell her they were gone. I am so thankful for all the advice. We are going to put a heavy coop pen door that can be closed and locked at night. Also we will put up the hardware cloth and cover every possible opening. I don't want to bring in any new birds until everything is secure. So next spring we will make the "Fort Knox" of chicken coops. I have read allot about weasels since this happened, however it still boggles my mind that everyone was killed. I can understand taking one, but a little weasel can't possibly eat 10 birds. I just can't wrap my mind around it.

 

[preciouskitty]

I think that many new chicken keepers can become overwhelmed with all of the "potential" problems that might occur. Especially with the internet research that can be done. 
Keep in mind that people have been raising chickens for thousands of years and mostly we have done pretty well with them. And they have done pretty well with our ministrations.

Do your best. Realize that "oops" happens. And know that there are a bunch of people here with lots of experience who will offer help when you need it.  Don't worry.

So true
Heck, look at all the "self diagnoses" us humans can do now with the internet's help! I swear, I have a girlfriend that thinks she has some form of terminal illness every time she gets a headache!

Like most here, I just try to make sure I do my best to have a healthy, happy flock & the advice here has been invaluable.

 

[preciouskitty]

Precious, we are getting those cute little tiny eggs from the girls we got from Jake.  I cant believe how little they are!  In my avatar, the egg in the middle is between what I would call two ALMOST large size eggs   We don't have a scale to weigh it, but they are so cute I am not sure I want to cook them

Oh, when I say small...I mean small...got the one on the right yesterday...along with 3 XLs & a couple Ms.

3x5" card & quarter.....

 

[preciouskitty]

 Thanks to monsanto your deer ect. probably are getting fat on gmo corn & soybeans.  I'm surprised that monsanto hasn't yet gone after hunters for unlicensed use of "their" seeds.

What's funny (sarcasm) is they can't seem to get one of their main constitutional jobs done...the budget...

Luckily I am back to work &'getting paid (on time unlike some Feds); but if they don't pass a budget for FY14 & increase the debt limit today not sure what is gonna happen. Just read an email from our boss that we all have to dial in to a call at 13:00 if nothing has been passed. AND, even if something is...it will be short term (Continuing Resolution (CR), prob for 2-3 months) & we'll go thru all this again around XMAS. AND, with sequestration, will probably have furloughs again next summer...

Argh...no stress here

 

[mrcush]

I know I only jump in here when I have a question and I appreciate the advice the Michigan peeps have given to me. My chickens started molting a couple weeks ago. From what I understand an average molt lasts 14-16 weeks. Should I be worried about supplemental heat in the coop considering the given average time it will be into January before they have finished? Thanks

 

[Farmerboy16]

Molts last for about 2 months, not as long as 14 to 16 weeks.

 

[1muttsfan]

Your birds will be fine without supplemental heat, by the time the weather turns really cold they will have their feathers back. They have a body temp of 106 degrees, so they stay pretty warm.

Those little eggs are called fart or wind eggs, sometimes they have yolks, other times not. Usually they occur when hens first start laying.

 

[Stacykins]

I plan to draw blood myself, and have them be tested for CAE too. Where on them do I draw blood from? At the base of their tail underneath? I know that their rumens are on their left side, and the babies tend to be on the right side, and the right side is what I am watching out for, same with cows. Right?

The Saanan actually looks better than when I first got her. I have been giving her barley fodder everyday and apples too. Even with that, I think that she has been giving less milk each day, so she might be drying herself off slowly.

I draw from the juglular! It is how the vet who taught me does it. It is easy to find, and I can do it by myself if I have a milk stand to hold the goat. But having a friend to help does make it muuuch easier!

Yep, goat rumens are on the left, too! When my does are pregnant and far enough along, I wrap my arms around their tummies to feel the kicking, putting my hands right in front of the udder and on the right side.

 

[mrcush]

Thanks Farmerboy16 and 1muttsfan. This info makes me feel better

 

[SillyChicken]

I plan to draw blood myself, and have them be tested for CAE too. Where on them do I draw blood from? At the base of their tail underneath? I know that their rumens are on their left side, and the babies tend to be on the right side, and the right side is what I am watching out for, same with cows. Right?

The Saanan actually looks better than when I first got her. I have been giving her barley fodder everyday and apples too. Even with that, I think that she has been giving less milk each day, so she might be drying herself off slowly.

You draw from the Jugular vein in the neck. http://www.biotracking.com/?q=store/biopryngoat you can get supplies here or search elsewhere. I would draw enough samples to look for CAE too. You will need to check the labs schedules prior to the draw and shipping.