Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[preciouskitty]

    The media takes advantage of those that don't think and just believe what they hear.

EXACTLY!!

 

[aart]

The media takes advantage of those that don't think and just believe what they hear.

DITTO!

 

[taprock]

I'm not sure if this will work or not but I found a picture and caption that made me think of the goat/sheep owners on here.

https://www.facebook.com/doubleiris...6389035743600/610800902302413/?type=1&theater

 

[Opa]

Once again a storm with snow accumulation that will require shoveling is on its way closely followed by another with even larger amounts. The only saving factor is that the higher snowfall will be to the south of me. It is starting to become difficult pile the snow any higher in some places. I'm just thankful that I have a two stage snow blower. Being able to disperse the snow over a larger area certainly helps. If I were using just a shovel I think I would have piles rapidly exceeding my ability to throw it high enough.

Once Granny is up about about and had her breakfast I'll water the birds and then head for the farm. My old friend might need a few more groceries and he always needs company. The roads might be a little dicey tomorrow so I will get everything done today and hibernate tomorrow.

I was looking at my flock yesterday and while there are a few birds that have some frostbite it is no where as bad as it has been in previous years. I think leaving the upper windows open helps dissipate the humidity that build up when roosting birds are confined. Both roosters have minimal damage to the tips of their combs and the edges of their wattles as do a few of the larger combed hens. I wasn't happy to see that but with the sub zero temperatures we've experienced it isn't surprising.

I spent a few hours yesterday cleaning up the snow in anticipation of the coming storms and decided that the wild turkeys might appreciate having an area cleared that they could feed in. Once I had cleared 2' of snow from an area about 15x20' I dumped about 10 lbs of scratch grain in it. Less than an hour later 25 turkeys were having a picnic. I think today I'll pick up 100 lbs of shelled corn and help them get through this winter.

I think this winter is going to take a heavy toll on wildlife. The deep snow cover makes it difficult for wildlife to find food. The bitter cold has frozen just about all the open water making hydration a real problem. Waterfowl are really having a problem. Last week I watched several deer struggling through deep snow and they were sopping wet. The exertion makes it harder to stay warm plus it burns up a lot a stored calories.

 

[SillyChicken]

It's all just fear mongering and manipulation... to get people afraid and succumb to what ever they will..

OK, lets be "safe" and use chickens... though the premise is exactly the same.

One of the people pushing the gaamps, Jim someone, said they're trying to prevent people in an urban setting from having 49999 backyard chickens..... totally misleading people to think the gaamps are good because who would want 5K chickens next to them? ...this is what they want people to think will happen.. It's all about control and manipulation.

Weather you're for or against something... regardless if YOU want it or not, the simple fact is that the right belongs to ALL of us, not the "fors" or the "againsts", it is all of our right to choose, you may not want a chicken today, you don't have to have a chicken, but you may end up being a victim of the economy tomorrow and decide you need a chicken then. Me, I want my chickens today and tomorrow.......... it's the right and liberty to choose that is what's being stripped away.

Off my soap box... enjoy the snow!

(I agree with you Sam, I was taught to respect and use chickens responsibility at a very young age).

Tap... I cannot see the photo... for some reason half the picts on FB are not loading for me. Anyway... I pick vehicles based on weather or not I can fit my XL-wire dog crate it in... the huge dane sized kennel. Which is perfect for hauling my dogs....... or goats........ or sheep!

Speaking of Sheep... can't wait to get my hands on these fleeces and see the girls nicely shaved. Penny has just been full of herself lately.
March 22nd / 23rd is the Annual AA Fiber Expo at the Saline Fair grounds... think I'm going to try to attend. I need some carders and a drop spindle... and some pointers!
I agree, this winter has been hard on the wildlife. I have not seen a single deer, tracks or anything since the beginning of January.

 

[uchytil]

I'm not sure if this will work or not but I found a picture and caption that made me think of the goat/sheep owners on here.

https://www.facebook.com/doubleiris...6389035743600/610800902302413/?type=1&theater

Believe it or not: I own two Subarus, one is a 99 Forester. When I rescued my first Toggenburg I took her back and forth to the vet in the back of the Forester for surgery and follow-ups. When we found our next two companion Toggenburgs we drove about an hour south and loaded them in the back of the Forester. We got a lot of looks. People slowed down just to see what in the heck we were hauling.

So, I guess Subarus are perfect Goat and Sheep haulers, lol!

 

[uchytil]

Well this is my new trailer I went to Tennessee this past weekend for!

Its a 2013 Calico miniature horse trailer. It's 5ft tall, 5ft wide,

and 10ft deep. Its so cute and lil! I can stick 3 mini horses in it with plenty room!

It looks big in the pic, but its shorter them my truck.

That's a beauty! The color would work well with my old Ford but I'd need two so I could tow a gunmetal grey one on my other Ford, lol!

 

[uchytil]

Everyone have a wonderful day. I hope it gets warm (27ish) today because I really need to clean the goat and ducks houses. Might just be the best day for awhile!

 

[uchytil]

I agree, this winter has been hard on the wildlife. I have not seen a single deer, tracks or anything since the beginning of January.

The snow is deep here but deer are so adaptable to this. I lived in Northern Maine where 12 foot snows levels were the norm. Deer just yard up and live off body fat. Ones that don't make it ensure the carrying capacity for the area's square mileage. Here in West Michigan we've got about 3 feet of packed down snow. The deer are running all over my property. There up digging under the apple trees and eating browse. I've been out on snowshoes to see if they are eating bark but it appears they are finding enough to keep going. Deer are so resilient they eat bark before succumbing to starvation. And as far as bedding the deep snow is best because they burrow down in large pockets. I found a few areas where my herd is bedding. They are fairly large craters. Most of the other animals are hibernating. I guess any wild animals that don't make it - well that's mother nature doing her job. Don't forget. This winter is not that bad as winters go. More normal, eh?

 

[SillyChicken]

Well this is my new trailer I went to Tennessee this past weekend for!

Its a 2013 Calico miniature horse trailer. It's 5ft tall, 5ft wide,

and 10ft deep. Its so cute and lil! I can stick 3 mini horses in it with plenty room!

It looks big in the pic, but its shorter them my truck.

very cute!