Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[lbrykowski2011]

I was actually joking about the triple yolker. Haha! I didn't know that was even possible. I've had a few double yolk from my EE and from my Khaki ducks. Who knows, maybe someday I will have a triple.

Although the weather hasn't been great today, it has been awesome to catch up on inside housework. I think that's why we have winter, were outside all of summer and need to catch up inside during the winter. Hope everyone a nice day.

 

[mara1]

Okay I'm officially bored at work. I hate being stuck here with nothing to do especially when I could be getting something done at home.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

I'll probably get in trouble for this, but IMO, getting a puppy from someone who just *happens* to have puppies (even fellow BYC'ers) isn't ANY better than getting them from a breeder, except that a *good* breeder will have health checks on the parents, know temperament, and offer some sort of health guarantee.  Someone who "just happens" to have puppies isn't being a very responsible pet owner if you REALLY believe that you'd rather rescue than buy because of pets needing homes.  Our current foster dog is 18mo old and just had her THIRD litter of puppies and her body was so whacked out from the constant depletion of nutrition growing and feeding puppies that several of her last litter died because she was unable to produce enough milk to adequately feed them.  Her previous owners "just happened" to have puppies because they didn't care enough to separate their un-altered male and female dogs when she came into heat.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE support a local non-profit rescue and adopt a pup that's already been spayed or neutered and is UTD on its shots.  Rescues desperately need the support, and the adoption fees generally don't even cover the vet expenses put into them.


Off my soap box now.

ETA: Lake Haven in the above post is a great suggestion.

Thank you for repeating what I would of said. Support your local non profit animal shelter! Help the animals that would make better pets then breeders or people whose dog happens to have puppies.

Our neighbor got puppy from a breeder. We got ours from a rescue. There dog is just to 'perfect'. Just, not as fun as any of the ones we have fostered or rescued. Enough said, I hope u make the right decision morrisonmanor

If you choose a rescue, PM me and I will hook you up with a good rescue.

(Sorry, posted little late :/ )

 

[RaZ]

You are my Hero, Tap!

 

[RaZ]

I'm home from the Ag meeting. Even though the GAAMPs were not on the agenda, there were several BYC people at the meeting. The commissioners are recognizing us on sight nowadays.

There was a presentation by a newly formed group called the "Michigan Fiber Industry Coalition". They are seeking to grow the animal fibre market in Michigan. As they said, they have everything from Alpacas to Yaks. They mentioned Angora rabbits and sheep and I immediately thought of many here who raise these and other fibre producers.

When questioned by the commissioners about "problems or issues", they pretty much said the same things that some of us have been saying. Zoning issues, local authorities trying to prevent them from earning a living, mis-information, ignorance and the struggle to educate. Then they brought up the GAAMPs and the RTFA (Right to Farm Act). I didn't have to say a word.

I know many folk here have critters that produce fibre of some sort and perhaps you are aware of this group (they have a FB page) but if you are not aware of them, please look into it. They are looking to create a co-op and market for Michigan Fibre.

There were several other interesting presentations as always. Specialty Crop Block Grants, Wetlands programmes, pending legislative action, Detroit's Belle Isle, deer management, forestry and other issues that affect us all on a personal level.

During public comments, the Michigan Small Farm Council was formally introduced and a request that MSFC be included as a stakeholder in future discussions that affect the small and mid-size farm operation.

I also spoke and was teased about my facial hair. I hope that my grey beard doesn't hurt our cause.

The December meeting will be in Traverse City, I hope to see you there.

 

[SillyChicken]

I'm home from the Ag meeting. Even though the GAAMPs were not on the agenda, there were several BYC people at the meeting. The commissioners are recognizing us on sight nowadays.

There was a presentation by a newly formed group called the "Michigan Fiber Industry Coalition". They are seeking to grow the animal fibre market in Michigan. As they said, they have everything from Alpacas to Yaks. They mentioned Angora rabbits and sheep and I immediately thought of many here who raise these and other fibre producers.

When questioned by the commissioners about "problems or issues", they pretty much said the same things that some of us have been saying. Zoning issues, local authorities trying to prevent them from earning a living, mis-information, ignorance and the struggle to educate. Then they brought up the GAAMPs and the RTFA (Right to Farm Act). I didn't have to say a word.

I know many folk here have critters that produce fibre of some sort and perhaps you are aware of this group (they have a FB page) but if you are not aware of them, please look into it. They are looking to create a co-op and market for Michigan Fibre.

There were several other interesting presentations as always. Specialty Crop Block Grants, Wetlands programmes, pending legislative action, Detroit's Belle Isle, deer management, forestry and other issues that affect us all on a personal level.

During public comments, the Michigan Small Farm Council was formally introduced and a request that MSFC be included as a stakeholder in future discussions that affect the small and mid-size farm operation.

I also spoke and was teased about my facial hair. I hope that my grey beard doesn't hurt our cause.

The December meeting will be in Traverse City, I hope to see you there.

anyone else see a pattern here! lol! Glad you guys went anyway... Thank you so much for being there and helping this other group.. the more people they see being affected by this crap the better. It's not just us crazy chicken people anymore!

I'll check their page out on fb.

 

[SillyChicken]

Thank you for repeating what I would of said. Support your local non profit animal shelter! Help the animals that would make better pets then breeders or people whose dog happens to have puppies.

Our neighbor got puppy from a breeder. We got ours from a rescue. There dog is just to 'perfect'. Just, not as fun as any of the ones we have fostered or rescued. Enough said, I hope u make the right decision morrisonmanor

If you choose a rescue, PM me and I will hook you up with a good rescue.

(Sorry, posted little late

)

I whole heartily agree with you and glad! In my opinion...I prefer a breeder. I do not support people who just slap dogs together because they had them. I've had less issues with my breeder bred dogs than my rescues.. spent over 3k on my boy last fall for leg surgery. Most breeders spend a lot of money, time and effort on the breeding dogs, testing etc.... a BYB does not. I don't like enabling people to BYB by buying or getting their free puppies. This of course is my personal opinion. There are TONs of pibbles and other dogs that need homes so If I don't buy a dog from a breeder that I know and have researched, I try to support rescue or shelter animals.

 

[RaZ]

anyone else see a pattern here! lol! Glad you guys went anyway... Thank you so much for being there and helping this other group.. the more people they see being affected by this crap the better. It's not just us crazy chicken people anymore!

I'll check their page out on fb.

Here is their page https://www.facebook.com/MIFiberIndustryCoalition

You can friend me if you like. Just be forewarned that I can be a tad more profane than when I post here.

 

[morrisonmanor]

I guess I should clarify my thinking about asking about puppies.I do not support irresponsible breeding either. I feel that if your going to own a pet it should be spayed/neutered to prevent unwanted babies. There are already too many unwanted animals in shelters now. My existing dogs & cats are all fixed.

With that said, there are times when you end up with babies that you didnt ask for. About a year and a half ago, a pregnant cat showed up on my door step. My daughter and I got the mommy as healthy as possible prior to her delivering. She gave birth to and raised 5 babies. While I did not plan on this "event" in our life, it just happened. I had all of them fixed PRIOR to finding them new homes. I would have loved for responsible pet owners to call me up and say sure I'll take one. That doesn't happen in real life. I wanted to help someone out who was in a situation like that

It was not my intention to "support" irresponsible pet owners at all. I was trying to prevent another animal from ending up in a shelter taking up already stretched resources. My daughter and I have volunteered at a shelter and it was horrible to see the looks on the lonely dogs faces there. I was only trying to keep a dog out of the kennel life.

BTW, we are currently working with a shelter in Howell about adopting a dog from their shelter.

 

[gladahmae]

I'm so glad to hear that! Since I've been working with my local rescue I can't imagine getting a dog from anywhere other than a rescue. If you fixed all of the kittens before rehoming them you are definitely the exception to the rule.