Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Kat9191]

I have a question for you guys, we are planning on picking up 6 new chicks today from FFH, we have had a great time with our chickens past year, and learned so much from this forum. At what age should we put the new chicks out with the flock ? I am thinking 12-15 weeks and because we want to get some new varieties would that increase the chance of them being picked on?

 

[RaZ]

I can't give you a good way to introduce new birds because I have broken all the rules for introductions at one point or another. All I can say is that I have handled all of my birds and they have been very tame. Maybe that is why I've had no problems.
I have on most occasions, divided the coop or run for a few days so they can interact with a fence there to keep them from physical contact. A few times I just slipped the new birds on the roost after dark.
Shoveled more water today in the toasty 54 degree weather. I even trimmed back the butterfly bushes, tall grasses and some other things. It was nice to be outside listening to the birds sing while I checked for winter damage.

The grocery store was crazy. It was packed with people stocking up for the upcoming snow storm. Shelves were empty and the check out lines were 5-6 deep. Are people really this unprepared that they panic over a forecast?

 

[Opa]

Personally I would never integrate new birds into an existing flock until they are 16 weeks old. Most breeds will have attained their adult size by that time.

I think contentment best sums up this picture my granddaughter took of one of their calves with one of their barn cats.

 

[uchytil]

Does anyone use the armanda layer feed from FFH. Feelings on this feed.

Been using the pellets for years, layers all lay regular. I also use the meat grower and goat sweet. The only Purina I use is rabbit. A few years ago I called about ten different places from Feed Co-ops to Country Feed Stores, and big box. Even if I bought 1000 pounds at a co-op the price per pound averaged only a few cents lower than buying Armada 40 lb bags of layer pellets. Not worth my time unless I had 1000 birds, lol!

 

[Scifisarah]

Muskegon too far?

I usually use FFH in N. Muskegon and they have a ton. I went to TSC this time with a 10% and got regular flake but saw they have fine also.

I call our FFH on Plainfield Ave, and they will be getting 90 in on Thursday, so I will get some then. I just started "spot cleaning" this winter, aka picking out the poop to make the bedding last longer, while wearing nitrile gloves, and it is a lot easier to clean up with the mini flakes.

 

[Scifisarah]

I had a bag of Armada food just full of some weevil like beetles once. They were so loud I could here them all crunching inside the bag. Not sure if it came that way to the feed store, or if it was FFH's fault for not keeping their bags protected. That kind of turned me off using Armada brand, but I imagine not everyone has had that experience, or else they'd be out of business. Still working on using up my dozen coupons for bags of free Purina feed now. With only a little over a dozen bantams, it is lasting for quite a while. I'll stick with either Purina or Kent/Blue Seal products.

 

[snowflake]

Personally I would never integrate new birds into an existing flock until they are 16 weeks old. Most breeds will have attained their adult size by that time.

I think contentment best sums up this picture my granddaughter took of one of their calves with one of their barn cats.

how sweet, they look so content

A sign of spring coming? Even with a winter storm watch?
Tractor spreading "fertilizer" at the moment

started here last week, have not smelled it though?

One of my ducklings was missing this morning when I went to the barn to check on them. It smells like skunk outside, so I'm wondering if my brooder wasn't as predator proof as I thought. What I don't get is that it's in the same room as the adult ducks and they look fine. There didn't seem to be anything disturbed in the room either.

smelled like skunk here this AM also, there have been dead skunk,raccoons,possums and lots of hawks flying around, all the predators seem to be out, sorry about your duck

sigh.

It seems all that winter weather is heading towards the south. The first day of Spring (the 20th) is predicted to be about 40 degrees. I can't believe the 10-day forecast is still showing the temperature in the 20s, though!



(Wilbur two weeks ago when we first got the chicks)

sorry you people down south, (sure hope it doesn't come our way)

I have a question for you guys, we are planning on picking up 6 new chicks today from FFH, we have had a great time with our chickens past year, and learned so much from this forum. At what age should we put the new chicks out with the flock ? I am thinking 12-15 weeks and because we want to get some new varieties would that increase the chance of them being picked on?

I would wait till they are near full size, then go slowly,good luck



in our experience it is best to ask a vet what their practice is, some I would never go back to.

 

[mindylee]

Not sure if anyone is lookin for a new lil roo but I have a cute cochin bantam for free.
Eddie is black with a red saddle and comes from blk/blue mottled lines. I just hatched his offspring and most are mottleds. Let me know. I can text pics.
Located in lapeer.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

I can't give you a good way to introduce new birds because I have broken all the rules for introductions at one point or another. All I can say is that I have handled all of my birds and they have been very tame. Maybe that is why I've had no problems. 
I have on most occasions, divided the coop or run for a few days so they can interact with a fence there to keep them from physical contact. A few times I just slipped the new birds on the roost after dark.
[rule]

Lol, trust me you aren't the only one!

Sorry about anyone's losses...

Welcome new people.

We have so much grass!! The chickens love it.

 

[chickflick]

Anyone know where to get a rabbit nest box? I may just make one. Have to go see what kind of lumber I have.

NOT looking forward to the snow! It was so nice to see some grass peeping thru all this snow and feel some warmth. Oh well, we are in MI