Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Trefoil]

Oh my I see chick for flowers exchanges in some ones future.

I love iris' as well. But my friend (named Iris by the way) bought some 'black' ones and now thinks they pollinated and changed all of her yellow and blue to black. That is the only thing she had bloom in the whole bed this year. Could that be?

Anyway it would be a good idea I think for egg or other poultry exchanges for bulbs! In the future I will have Heritage RIR to offer but am just starting with them.

Great idea except iris are transplanted in the early fall and most people aren't into chicks then.

My injured girl in her cat carrier. Her crest feathers are rubber banded so she can see. She has sat there all day very contentedly except when Titus decided she needed to be cleaned and tried licking her.

I believe the injury was caused by some rowdy bantam boys, so they are off to freezer camp tomorrow at my brothers. I am considering sending a few hens I don't like, (they don't like me either) but it makes me feel guilty so I'm not sure.

She looks pretty clean to me, are you sure Titus didn't give her a bath? I like the idea of ponytailing her crest, I'm going to try that with one of my polish, they are sitting ducks when free ranged because their vision is so impaired but they really don't like being left in.

 

[chickwhispers]

@mindylee Wow you got chicken math set in real good!

You will never get bored. It's good to have a hobby or two, along with a job or two. I used to do that, but I'm seriously ready to retire tomorrow if it were possible, and just want to wind down and enjoy a slower pace for a change. Although if I could have a horse I would, and a few sheep as well. Still waiting on DSO for the dog. Wait is that animal math I hear trying to kick in?

 

[RaZ]

. I am considering sending a few hens I don't like, (they don't like me either) but it makes me feel guilty so I'm not sure.

If it is any consolation, I sent my Salmon Fav hen to freezer camp along with the roo. Calvin was exceptionally aggressive and Hobbes was physically deformed. I thought it was for the best as I don't think she would have survived the summer or laying any eggs. I feel guilty but it had to be done.

 

[chickwhispers]

I have a couple Salmon Fav chicks ordered. Do they usually have any issues? I read they were docile and decent egg layers.

 

[RaZ]

I have a couple Salmon Fav chicks ordered. Do they usually have any issues? I read they were docile and decent egg layers.

Don't let my experience change your mind. They are known as docile and perhaps my roo was the exception. He was in with 3 pair of other hen breeds. The hen was was a cuddle bug. Her deformity was the problem.

I don't think that they are a good breed to have in a mixed flock. They are better off with their own kind. Beautiful birds though.

 

[mindylee]

I have a freve hen named bubble gum. My hubby bought her for me even tho I have cochins and silkies mainly. Shes a sweetie. Her only chick born had a wing deformity and I gave it away. She herself looks good and came from a chicken show. So im guessing a bad gene somewhere. A friend did breed them for awhile and hers was awesome and very friendly among perfect conformational.

 

[chickwhispers]

Ahh. thanks for the input. I do have a mixed flock. So that's good to know. I guess I'll just have to watch how the flock works out and go from there. I won't be breeding so chick deformities are not a problem with them. I do so want to keep them they are so pretty. Chicken math starts in the eyes I think.

 

[NightOwl3]

Well the weather sure sucks today! VERY gusty winds here, and of course, a snow day. I think I may take advantage of this to print/plot my FINAL garden plan of the year. I got everything I need to wintersowing yesterday, but forgot the duct tape to hold the milkjugs shut. I may just get a bunch put together and have DH pick up the tape on his way home from work (NOT taking 3 kids to the store for tape!).

I know i have dill, poppies, hardy hibiscus, and coneflower seeds in my drawer......and I have an ebay watch-list FULL of other things to get once DH gets his paycheck deposited. I grabbed some hollyhocks yesterday, and my son just HAD to have watermelon seeds. We have NEVER had success with those, but we will continue to try i guess.


Does anyone have a favorite pickling cuke variety?

Tell me about the milk jug thing. Do you plant your seeds in them? Never thought to use those!

They are very pretty! Never knew there were so many colors and variety.

Silkie egg, Ameraucana egg, Wyandotte or barred rock egg, amber link egg, the darker of my Marans' eggs. The amber links layed a little darker when they started in the fall and have laid consistently all winter like any pullet should.

I'm glad you posted this pic. I was leaning towards a all silkie flock, but didn't realize until recently how little their eggs are. The rest of your eggs come from standard size chickens or are they banty size?

 

[jlynnet]

My son and I had to kill a young raccoon trying to get in the chicken coop today. Cute but I knew it would come back so.....
Happier news... We've got some cute chicks hatching.

 

[preciouskitty]

My son and I had to kill a young raccoon trying to get in the chicken coop today. Cute but I knew it would come back so.....
Happier news... We've got some cute chicks hatching.

Yes, the raccoons are showing up...DH had to dispatch one a few hours ago...
Part of the problem at the moment is we have put corn out for the deer as they are having trouble getting any food (I felt so bad watching a doe last week trying to reach a reed, snow up past her belly). While I now have 6 deer consistently bedding down out back, the raccoons also like the corn...& are getting bolder & moving too close to the coop...