Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[minniefarm]

We have two windows that are just screwed in place. We can lower one of them to give an extra inch x 20" of ventilation away from they roost that they favor. Hopefully that will be enough. Meanwihile, they are hanging out at the open door, soaking up the sun.

 

[aart]

My first 6 egg day ever today!!
I've only been doing chickens since September, 5 hens, 1 Rooster, 3 pullets, 1 cockerel and the pullets just started laying in the last week.
Bad news, looks like both roosters have a tad of what looks to be frostbite on their combs.
But the sun, and 6 eggs, sure is uplifting!

 

[SillyChicken]

Not sure what got this topic started. But if I have upset anyone.... or if I've ever made anyone uncomfortable.... or leave the thread...I'm sorry! BTW...I am not sure if I'll be attending CS this year.

This darn weather took two litters of kits last night. Lost 14 babies........ very sad.

it was -9 when I got up this morning with a -24 deg windchill. Next week isn't looking any better. Temps start dropping again on Sunday.

Saturday, it should be a bit warmer... 30 deg I think. We're processing extra roos tomorrow.

Then we're making blood draws (this should be fun) on the goats for testing. Keeping fingers crossed for good results.

(Cae and Johne's (pron yohns) and verify pregnancy on the doe.. even though I am positive she is) DH made a straw bale shelter within the goat shed to further protect them and try to keep the heat trapped.
Last night on my way to the store, there was a guy stranded on the road... I stopped and tried to help jump start his truck (which was dead and still didn't start)... pushed a lady out of the snow that also stopped to try to help...... and then left for the store. Picked up a coffee for the guy cause he had a long wait.. but he said he couldn't have caffeine (or was trying to be polite and decline it). Oh well, I guess I did my good deed for the day.
Sam, any good news from your dr. visit? How is granny doing with her back?
Peep- your "Raven" looks like a Sumatra hen... I've found them to be good mothers/brooders and thrifty.
The first eggs are always so exciting!! Finally all that effort is paying off! And they taste SOOOooo good!! I'm finally getting about 5-6 eggs a day.. and have too many now! This weekend I'm going to cook up a bunch of the extra and give to the birds.

 

[BobBry]

Recently several posts mentioned Chickenstock 13 and 14

Here are some thoughts from Bob.

The bull horns are a good Idea. I thought of them too. Perhaps some could be borrowed from band /athletic departments at schools. I see myself doing that in years past but that was in the long past. Some teachers/school people what do you think? Could that fly? Or how about borrowing from the small time police dept. or city public works?

I noticed several children last year that seemed bored out of their minds. Might we organize some old fashioned "fun" for them? Activities like egg toss, sack races, egg carry in spoons races, Softball, kickball, money search contests, ........ Ask your kids what they think???? I spoke with two of our great grandchildren on Christmas Day and they agreed that that kind of thing might be good. 4H activities were suggested too. How about beautiful or ugly chicken competitions? +++++++ I would be willing to chair or be otherwise involved in a group to work on these kinds of things.

Did anyone get to see the pictures I took at last years meeting? I think I read a bout three comments about them. The photos are in my profile album "Sponsors"

Most households have a card table or so available. those could be used to facilitate the food distribution too.

 

[naglady]

Congrats on the 6 eggs

During this cold spell i dont think there is anything wrong with putting some heat in the coop, as long as its not 40-60 degrees, just enough to take the chill off so the chickens have some relief, but not end up sick from the extra warmth..

 

[Peep-Chicken]

 
[rule]Peep- your "Raven" looks like a Sumatra hen... I've found them to be good mothers/brooders and thrifty.

Yes, I guess I forgot to mention she is a Sumatra. I've heard they go broody late spring?

 

[BobBry]

Bob, my biggest concern was that the seller told me that if any bird turned out to be a roo he'd exchange it for one comparable. I asked this right out of the gate since it's an established hatchery. Had it of been TSC or FFH I would never expect an exchange, lol! Anyway, I call them and am told I'd have to wait till the spring hatch and get a chick in exchange. So I raised a chicken dinner for one chick? That was not the original deal...I said I'd take any 4 month old hen they had - nope sorry. What? No problem, I probably forgot to read the fine print, ha ha.

Since the last post the roo is re-homed with my friend's daughter's flock.

That was very similar to our deal. No fine or any other print. Only the word of the man we bought the birds from. That wasn't worth the paper it wasn't printed on. Learning experience.

 

[SillyChicken]

Yes, I guess I forgot to mention she is a Sumatra. I've heard they go broody late spring?

one of my hens brooded two clutches, one in spring, and as soon as they were independent, she laid more eggs (in a hidden location) and hatched another brood mid summer.... good mom!

 

[Candy442]

Quote: Bob,

I must have missed your post about the Chickenstock photos before and just looked them over. they are great! We have several nice folding tables and card table. Not sure what we may bring, but may exhibit the Iowa Blue chickens we recently got from Jake. These birds are almost being registered as a breed by the APA and the Iowa Blue club will be setting a standard soon

How eggciting is that? Brand new APA breed! We may even bring hatching eggs or chicks if someone is interested in that breed, very cold hearty and great personality. Link to the club here:


http://www.iowabluechickenclub.com/

also just fed my "kids" a couple nice warm bowls of oatmeal with a splash of ACV and golden flax seed. They went nuts over that! I will be adding pictures of my first attempt at "fodder" too if anyone is interested? I know, sprouting grass is not rocket science, but I am so eggstatic over seeing my very first mat of grass growing!! The chickies will be enjoying that by Sunday of this week!
Here is the link that I used for the fodder growing system:

http://www.peakprosperity.com/wsidblog/80359/diy-home-fodder-system

 

[SillyChicken]

Recently several posts mentioned Chickenstock 13 and 14

Here are some thoughts from Bob.

The bull horns are a good Idea. I thought of them too. Perhaps some could be borrowed from band /athletic departments at schools. I see myself doing that in years past but that was in the long past. Some teachers/school people what do you think? Could that fly? Or how about borrowing from the small time police dept. or city public works?

I noticed several children last year that seemed bored out of their minds. Might we organize some old fashioned "fun" for them? Activities like egg toss, sack races, egg carry in spoons races, Softball, kickball, money search contests, ........ Ask your kids what they think???? I spoke with two of our great grandchildren on Christmas Day and they agreed that that kind of thing might be good. 4H activities were suggested too. How about beautiful or ugly chicken competitions? +++++++ I would be willing to chair or be otherwise involved in a group to work on these kinds of things.

Did anyone get to see the pictures I took at last years meeting? I think I read a bout three comments about them. The photos are in my profile album "Sponsors"

Most households have a card table or so available. those could be used to facilitate the food distribution too.

Bob, I think we had volunteers to run kids activities, but nothing came of it except a baloon toss was it? I personally am not good with kids or hosting games with them so I think it would be best if someone with kids, took up the ball and ran with it. (pun intended)

We accepted donations from everyone attending to help cover the cost of the park rental and meat provided. So anyone attending, should plan on a small donation, though it's not required.