Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Amy PT]

The weekend would have ended great until one of DH's band mates called and let us know the drummer committed suicide Sunday night. Never would have guessed. He was only 50 I think, a year ahead of me in school (I went to school with him). Feel bad for the wife and kids he left behind.

I'm so sorry. Suicide is so painful.

I'm starting to feel like I'm NEVER going to finish putting my garden in. Of course, it's mostly my own fault because I keep buying more and more stuff to put in, but STILL! Last week I put in 30 Roma plants. I have another 10 plants (2 each of some sort of slicer, cherry, yellow, heirloom, and early girls) that I need to find a place for. Today I put in 42 pepper plants. I have an 8ft fence of snap peas growing nicely, radishes, carrots, parsnips, and beets all in (though the last 3 haven't germinated yet.....AND I got them in a few weeks later than I wanted). Herbs (6 kinds i think). Potatoes. And I still have to put in all of my zucchini, yellow squash, watermelon, and cantaloupes in. Being a 'farmer' is a lot more work than people think!

All this and your flowers! You're a machine!! Great job. What do you do with the fruit from 42 pepper plants?

Welcome @famousgrouse . Get your coop prepped and come to Chickenstock. You'll have the pick of plenty of birds.

At 9 weeks old, I'm pretty confident in saying that Olive the porcelain d'uccle is, indeed, an OIiver. No one here is looking for a small fella to add to their flock, are they?

 

[taprock]

Black flies are the worst. Tap- do you have any ducks?

We have two that are a month old, and we have clouds of bugs!

TIP: never raise guineas with your turkey's. They will suffer an identity crisis and think they must mate will the toms.. they will pluck feathers, and chase the turkeys relentlessly..... and I mean NON-stop.

Hmm we have our keets and poults in together. They are our test turkeys to see if they can survive around chickens or if they will get histoplasmosis. Is it only a problem after they mature?

OH,to be young and have so much energy again

I didn't do it all in one day! And I have learned with age, I used to just keep going because I wanted it done! Now I pay attention to when my back says stop. Part of the problem is because our season is behind up here it seems like a never ending list just to get caught up to normal.

Just had a coyote waltz through the back and I wasn't quick enough. I think the birds are staying in a bit later today.

 

[gladahmae]

All this and your flowers!  You're a machine!!  Great job.  What do you do with the fruit from 42 pepper plants?

Salsa, put them in spaghetti sauce, and roast them and freeze them; makes a great mix in for the crockpot or on pizza.

 

[Maah]

Welcome Jeff!

@Amy PT , you should bring Oliver to chickenstock.

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We are so behind over here & hoping to get the garden put in this weekend. DH reluctantly turned the soil in it again yesterday, but could only do so much since he's fighting a cruddy cold & fever. I'm surprised he went out in the first place. The man is a hard worker and has trouble sitting still so I guess I shouldn't be surprised he loaded up on cold & pain meds and then hopped on the tractor. He did have his bum glued to the recliner for the entire rest of the day though & slept the majority of the time.

The guinea keets can EAT! Oh my word... It's like feeding the cornish cross chicks.

I have found new homes for 5 of our 2yr old hens, and 1 of our spring "pullets" that ended up a boy. The 5 hens are going to DD's 4H chicken leader that lost most of his flock this past winter, and my cutie little EE is going to a small farm down the street that is hoping he will help protect their flock from their own dog. They have a tiny little dog down there that doesn't seem to know the chicks & ducklings aren't play toys whenever they try to free range their birds. :/ I think I'd rather get rid of the dog, but I guess his kids are pretty attached to it. He asked for one of our roosters to help. The EE is about 11 weeks now & will have time to get acclimated with his new flock and allowed to grow more before they try to free range again. Hopefully the new rooster doesn't just end up a new chew toy... but roosters are a dime a dozen and at least this way he has a chance. If he stays here, he goes to freezer camp. It sounds cold, I know... that's just how it is.

Everybody say bye bye to "Tutu Tina" which was his girl name.




We have one more buff orpington cockerel we got from the pullet bin that we'll actually probably keep for our own flock. The BO is turning out to be a nice roo & DH seems to like him. His crow sounds a lot like our brahma rooster's did. Since our loved Brahma rooster passed this winter we thought we'd just do without a rooster for a bit (& sleep in once in a while), but everything does happen for a reason. We got 2 accidental roos this year that ended up being one for us, and one for a protector down the street.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

Hello.. New guy from Romeo, MI. Just wanted to introduce myself. Just getting started in the backyard chicken adventure. Have my Coop half built (Loosely using a design by member "Atholcoop" posted in the small coops section) and looking forward to getting some chickens.
Speaking of that. I will being looking for some Pullets in the next few weeks. I am wondering if anyone knows somewhere within an hour or two drive that might have pullets for sale? I would rather not start with new chicks for my first time. I am thinking the pullets may be easier. Possibly get some chicks next spring. Suggestions. I am looking for 4 hens. Docile breed that can handle MI Winters. Also looking strictly for layers.
Thanks
Jeff

If you go early, we have gotten some nice chicks and pullets at the Armada Flea Market on Sunday's. FFH in Almont had a nice chick selection, their probably done now, not sure. On FB there is also the Michigan Fowl site with lots of people from the Lapeer/St.Clair/Sanilac area. I'm only about 20 mins away from you so I will keep an ear open. What kind are you looking for?

 

[lbrykowski2011]

Mama Lightening and babies are doing well. They are 5 days old and all have survived great. I already contacted Naglady, but couldn't remember who the other person was that inquired on getting some. With 16, I should have plenty if anyone else is interested. I am just outside of Capac. Forgot to add: mama is a piebald muscovy and daddy is a black muscovy.

 

[SillyChicken]

We have two that are a month old, and we have clouds of bugs!
Hmm we have our keets and poults in together. They are our test turkeys to see if they can survive around chickens or if they will get histoplasmosis. Is it only a problem after they mature?

Yes they became an issue when mature, of course we didn't realize it would be a problem until they matured. Then of course, try to break them of the habit of hanging with the turkeys was impossible.

What ever it was that got a turkey and guinea earlier in the spring is back. It took two of my hens yesterday. The feather trail went back to the fence line. So I believe the predator is k9 of some variety, dog, yote or fox...and coming in the middle of the day. No body, just feathers. So, I chained/locked and put a "dogs in yard" sign over the chain/lock on the gat, and I left the dogs out. Hopefully their presence will deter any more losses.

 

[Stacykins]

When I last had turkeys, they survived just fine with the chickens. For a year almost. Lived in the same coop, drank and ate the same food (higher protein for the turkeys), free ranged together, etc.

The turkeys died due to deliciousness rather than a disease from a chicken!

I have three more from hatching eggs, that are in the brooder with some norwegian jaerhon chicks.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

My turkeys, chickens and ducks all have their own runs and coops. But they free range all day together and always in each others runs eating the food. Just like kids, they have to see if the others have something better than they do. lol

 

[Amy PT]

Salsa, put them in spaghetti sauce, and roast them and freeze them; makes a great mix in for the crockpot or on pizza.

I love peppers, and have never thought about freezing them. Thanks for the tip!