Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Elyssia001]

Got all of my available containers down today and out on the porch. Probably around 20 total so far. I could have used about 3x that many from the number of seeds in my seed drawer though!!

Has anyone grown lettuces in containers? I have a few packs of those from last year and I'm thinking about trying to make railing planters to grow salad greens in. Not sure about how deep to make them or how much sun they should get.

To seed my leaf lettuce, I just lay the seed on the soil and let it grow in itself. Lettuce only needs a few inches of soil and 5 hrs of light to do well (It will grow faster if you can provide more light). But it also needs cooler temps and for its roots to be kept moist (if it dries out, it will try to bolt). Once Temps go over 75F, they're likely to bolt unless you have one of the varieties that were bred to tolerate heat.

I'm not sure how different head-lettuce is from the leaf. I'm trying a head variety for the first time this year.

 

[chickwhispers]

A sad reality for many people who want to have chickens is that too few people are informed as to what wonderful birds they really are. As a result many communities have passed ordinances making their possession unduly restricted or even illegal.

Most states have a designated state bird, Michigan being no exception; and like many other states the robin was the bird chosen. I think we should have a state bird that is unique to our state. We should mount a campaign to have the chicken declared ours. Young children would learn about them in school and ownership would be promoted. Perhaps then our fowl would be accepted and even promoted with a sense of pride.

The only problem I foresee would be selecting a particular breed to visually represent chickens. After much though on the various attributes of so many kinds I finally realized one image that might be most recognizable and accepted by the majority.......The Rotisserie Chicken.

Candy, can't wait for pics! Remember to step away from the bator until they are all out. Lol

Quote: I haven't got mine started yet either! I hope this weekend! I need to get potting mix yet!

 

[morrisonmanor]

IS0: buff polish eggs or chicks

 

[fuzzybutt love]

If you must open the bator (must) make sure you bump up the humidity in the room you do it in. Believe me there is nothing sadder than opening an unhatched egg and finding a chick smothered by his own dry egg membrane.
(Yes i did that. Sad day)
The chicks supposably peep and communicate to each other so as to hatch as close as possible (predator defense) so leaving the othets bashing around in there could inspire any laggers to use their last reserve to break free!!! I had one that had decided to greet each one as they got out. Poor clutz actually knocked the last and weakest right out of his partially zipped shell! Was a bit horrified but it worked out great for the little guy.

 

[chickwhispers]

That's good to know Fuzzy. I'm not hatching but hope to in a year or 2.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Also on the worming question the other day i do it spring and fall. No fecal; by the time it is due i have already found worms in the cecal poo. Live. Not in the regular poo, so keeps the worm load down. My indoor birds haven't needed it so much.

Ivermectin 3 drops on the skin at the base of the neck, standard size it is 5 drops. Wear gloves, i get sick if it hits my skin. This does lice/ mites at this time as well

I follow with half a pea size of zimectrin gold horse paste for bantam, a whole pea size for standards. This does every kind, including tapes. (That will be a chicklet looking wiggly thing in the poo)

This year i am going to try the one with fenbenfazole; i need to start rotating wormers but this one is strong and an od can kill. Don't know of any other effective ones though. Pumkin seeds won't eliminate worms, de won't eliminate lice. Spent a whole summer battling lice and worms before i caved and got the chemicals. What they will do is prevent once the birds are treated and if the birds are exposed anyway it will keep the infestation down a little until you can get the meds. Cayenne is a worm preventative too.

 

[mindylee]

I totally believe in meds for chickens and other pets and livestock.
I work at TSC and it blows my mind how many folks are green or organic and dont believe in meds. As well as I blow their minds I do. Im sorry but I have thousands of $ into my chickens... if they need meds, they get it.
I have $30,000+ into my show mini horses, your darn tootin they get meds!

Sorry but when I get sick or have a headach, I take meds! Im a bear when im sick! Lol

 

[chickflick]

I will be in Seattle WA in August.. think DH would let me sneak some chicks on the plane for you Chick? LOL!

Would you?? That's so fantastic and so very nice of you!!!! Just make sure you bring home pullets!!

 

[chickflick]

Star Bright Farms has beautiful silkies for sale on her FB page, if any one is looking...

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Tsc in coopersville has 2 white silkie chicks......