Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[tori8780]

I work at TSC in Lapeer... last yr me and 4 other co-workers got into a debate on our chicks from Townline about the ee chicks and their true name.
The box Townline ships them in says "Araucana"...
I told everyone that they are mismarked and that they are a mutt called "Amerucana or Ee's".

So we called Townline to see what they had to say. And I quote... they are not Araucanas, we just call them that and lable them so. They are not true and really are a Amerucana or EE and that the person there is correct on the mislabeling.

So they do recognize they are mislableing the birds however continue to do so without really caring.

They are not Ameraucana either. That is a different breed altogether. I'm sure they are EE.

 

[preciouskitty]

What I noticed at our TSC last year when I got my EEs was they were labeled "Americanas"; yes, with the "i". Having researched before getting our chicks, I first knew that I wasn't gonna get pure Ameraucanas or Araucanas at a hatchery or TSC and that when ya see that "i" it pretty much means "EE"!!

I truly don't understand why some places give in to the false advertising...just doesn't seem right & I know a lot of people don't do any research & pretty much trust what they are being told/sold.

STILL haven't been able to see what is gong on under Maia...but plenty of cheeping & her clucking back & talking to them....DYING to lift her up & peek.,.

 

[mindylee]

I just fig they have no clue what they got....
Just cute mutt birds.

 

[Farmer Pete]

Can anyone tell me what the changes to the GAAMP's mean, and how it affects people. And did they change the MI right to farm act at all, I can't find any updated version on-line. Thanks

 

[preciouskitty]

I just fig they have no clue what they got....
Just cute mutt birds.

LOL!
And cute they are! My mutt "Americanas" are my prettiest (well, other than my BCMs).

Bummer. One poor little chick went they all the work & is dead . Still hear cheeping, but no clue what's going on beneath her...VERY close to lifting her up. Anticipation & curiosity are killing me.....

 

[Sparverius]

I AM going to build a barn owl box, by the way, and mount in a tall elm tree. But it can take a couple of years until a pair decides to nest there. I'd rather not get a mouser cat, because they often kill songbirds, and we have plenty of those around here.

Unfortunately barn owls are almost gone from the state; they've been declining very badly since the 1940s due to habitat loss (though historically they didn't really have a strong presence here). Now Michigan's remaining barn owls are considered endangered and "functionally extinct" as a breeding population. The last confirmed barn owl nesting in the state was in 1982, and a single owl sighting "yielded possible breeding evidence" in 2002. (Source: Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas II). It's really unfortunate, they're beautiful birds and VERY good at controlling mice. I used to work with one (I volunteer at a nature center with raptors) but sadly he starting having seizures and passed away... he was a cool bird though, miss him a lot.

Maybe screech owl or kestrel boxes could be an alternative? As a bonus, screech owls love eating cockroaches! I do love the idea of inviting natural predators as a way to control pests. Well, small ones anyway, that aren't going to hurt the chickens themselves...

 

[RTFchickens]

@Farmer Pete
Check out the michigan right to farm thread

There were changes made by the Ag commission April 28th that affect all of us. It's too much to write it all here. There is also lots of info at Michigan Small Farm Counsil web site.

 

[Farmer Pete]

RTFchickens could you specify which Michigan Rite to Farm act thread you meant. I looked it up and there are a lot. Thanks for the info!

 

[1muttsfan]

I believe she means this one

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/182280/michigan-right-to-farm-law-what-does-it-mean

 

[Stacykins]

Unfortunately barn owls are almost gone from the state; they've been declining very badly since the 1940s due to habitat loss (though historically they didn't really have a strong presence here). Now Michigan's remaining barn owls are considered endangered and "functionally extinct" as a breeding population. The last confirmed barn owl nesting in the state was in 1982, and a single owl sighting "yielded possible breeding evidence" in 2002. (Source: Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas II). It's really unfortunate, they're beautiful birds and VERY good at controlling mice. I used to work with one (I volunteer at a nature center with raptors) but sadly he starting having seizures and passed away... he was a cool bird though, miss him a lot.

Maybe screech owl or kestrel boxes could be an alternative? As a bonus, screech owls love eating cockroaches! I do love the idea of inviting natural predators as a way to control pests. Well, small ones anyway, that aren't going to hurt the chickens themselves...

Oh no! And here I thought since Michigan is (was?) a part of the Barn Owl range, that they were here. That is really really sad!

I already have built two kestrel nest boxes. I am guessing it is a little late in the year to expect any nesting, right? And it seems screech owl box plans are identical to kestrel nest boxes! So if I put a box in an open area, maybe a kestrel will claim it. And another box in the trees, perhaps a screech?

I could make a couple more, they were so easy to put together! The song of a screech owl is so pretty, I'd love to hear it again here, and hope they fill up on mice!