Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Amy PT]

This group has been so very helpful to me, and I'm glad to be a part of it. It seems that every group (online and otherwise) will always have groups of friends who split off, for any set of reason. I've been here just under 2 years, and miss some voices here. I can't imagine the number of folks who have been here, and aren't now.

 

[Grammi]

I am sorry that I don't post. I do check things out about 2 - 3 times a week.I thoroughly enjoy this forum. I used to type a lot, but no time and nothing funny or intelligent to say. I have noticed quite a few of my favorites are gone, and miss them. I want to wish you all a belated but heartfelt Happy New Year!!.

 

[RaZ]

I am sorry that I don't post. I do check things out about 2 - 3 times a week.I thoroughly enjoy this forum. I used to type a lot, but no time and nothing funny or intelligent to say. I have noticed quite a few of my favorites are gone, and miss them. I want to wish you all a belated but heartfelt Happy New Year!!.

No need to be sorry for not posting.
Check in when you can. There are far more important things in life that keep us away from cyber-chatter.

 

[preciouskitty]

Ok. It is silly, sick cold out. Just stepped out on back porch to partake in a certain vice..& that didn't last long. According to online weather it is -3; & it's always a few degrees colder at my house...

I am feeling really bad for the birdies....& REALLY want to give them some heat. But I must admit, it's like they knew it was gonna get brutal tonight. When I went to shut the coop door around 17:30, they were all already snuggled together (they looked so darn cute).

We have been spoiled the last few winters, I think. Been a while since I remember it being this cold. Already a lot of school closings (which I was glad to see, don't have kids; but don't think they should be walking to school or waiting for a bus in this).

My one cat is sprawled on the floor in front of the wood burner, totally digging the heat it is throwing out

 

[Opa]

As cold as it is, just drinking coffee doesn't seem adequate. Minus 9 is dangerously cold. Hope had gone to her daily task of babysiting for one of her son's kids and I feel a little better knowing she has arrived safely.

Later this morning, after Granny is up and fed, I will go visit my old farmer. While he calls each morning I still need to go a check to make sure he has everything he needs. He is always thrilled to have company and I enjoy being with him as well. We have been friends for 38 years and he has become a cherished member of our family.

I guess I could be considered one of the older members of this thread for both time on thread and earth. Several times I have considered dropping BYC. Trying to respond with something relevant is oft times difficult, so I've tried only posting when I can add something to the flow of the thread. Surprisingly, when I don't post people start asking where I'm at. A phenomenon that is humbling and proves that we don't have to be able to answer every question posed, we just need to make our presence known.

 

[chickwhispers]

And you a librarian!

A is not even close enough to U to claim as a typo. It must be really, really cold up there.

I think a lot of us are concerned about chicken-sicles. All I can say is if anyone decides to add some heat to the coop, just make sure that it is very secure and can't cause any problems.

I'll bet the keyboard is frozen!

X2 on the heat. Since the dog attacks I've used 2 heat lamps for cold this year. They are clipped onto floor joists above and the clamps are resting on long screws in the wood so they can't slip down, (My coop was built out reclaimed barn boards made to look like a real mini barn complete with haymow, by the property's original owner.)

Stupid profile picture! I got a good GIF of Luna, but it wont let me flip it!

Think it's cute just the way it is! But then I may be a little off kilter too!

I am sorry that I don't post. I do check things out about 2 - 3 times a week.I thoroughly enjoy this forum. I used to type a lot, but no time and nothing funny or intelligent to say. I have noticed quite a few of my favorites are gone, and miss them. I want to wish you all a belated but heartfelt Happy New Year!!.

Hi Grammi!

, My grandkids call me Grammi too! And Happy New Year to you Too!

Ok. It is silly, sick cold out. Just stepped out on back porch to partake in a certain vice..& that didn't last long. According to online weather it is -3; & it's always a few degrees colder at my house...

I am feeling really bad for the birdies....& REALLY want to give them some heat. But I must admit, it's like they knew it was gonna get brutal tonight. When I went to shut the coop door around 17:30, they were all already snuggled together (they looked so darn cute).

We have been spoiled the last few winters, I think. Been a while since I remember it being this cold. Already a lot of school closings (which I was glad to see, don't have kids; but don't think they should be walking to school or waiting for a bus in this).

My one cat is sprawled on the floor in front of the wood burner, totally digging the heat it is throwing out

We were at -5 this morning down here in NWO. I feel like I'm at my cousin's in the UP. I feel so bad for my mostly outdoor cats. We've been keeping them on the enclosed back porch for the coldest days and nights. And now they get their own little heater turned on. It makes it just above freezing at their level, which sprawled out or curled up in their pet bed which is on the wicker love seat.

 

[jorey]

Good morning everyone. I have to say that I joined this forum to meet people who loved animals as much as I do. I have responded on this thread a couple times and just stopped in a few and said hi. I guess what irks me is when someone responds with good info for the person and gets no comment but someone who is on here all the time responds with same info and gets praised. I am on this thread everyday to see how everyone is doing in michigan. I work full time and then with my little farm I don't get a chance to meet many people in a social manner. I have learned so much from you guys and love the humor and caring between you but as a newcomer you make it rather intimidating to join in. Opa thank you for your posts, you remind me of my gramps and its great to know that there are still people with his values around. You are one of the main reasons I keep reading. Thank you.

 

[aart]

-10 here. Water heater not working, took out fresh waterer early, everyone's off the roost and wandering the coop, gathered 2 eggs and gave them some bonus scratch. Looking forward to the 17 degrees and partly sunny forecast for today. Very grateful there's no snow to shovel this morning as my back is seriously out of commission.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

@jorey- x2

@preciouskitty - Hope she feels better. I brought 1 hen in last week for a messy back end (the boys said poopy butt) and tried to wash her in sink w/a lil dish soap and warm water. Got most of it, but not all. Is there something better to wash them with that works good on feathers?

@Amerauchick17 - I just got my chickens this past spring. Do you regularly trim beaks and nails and when do you know to do this?

@HollyDuckFarmer - My ducks seem to be doin ok, staying in doghouse mostly. But 1st winter w/them. Should I be checkin their feet and what are bumbles? I put some udder cream on my muscovy's nose (4got what that's called), just to be safe. My campbell's are who I worry about and both of them just started molting on top of it.

@chickwhispers - I have my outside cat in the garage now and it's just as cold in there as outside, at least no wind. I feel so bad for her cuz the other cats are in the house and they talk thru the door. That one keeps peeing in the house though, so I cannot let her in. I've had her 6yrs and cannot break her of it.

Next week will truly be testing on us and our lil friends. Stay as warm as possible. Going to Byron tomorrow for wrestling , will be my 1st time there.

 

[preciouskitty]

-10 here now, too. Little did I know at 2am -2 was rockin' warm! My first winter with chickens was pretty sure that the heated waterer wouldn't work with it this cold, so I just took lukewarm water out in a regular waterer. Figure since I am off today, I can just keep switching out water....

Have I mentioned how much I hate winter ?

Oh, and I don't think Spazzie is any better