Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[lbrykowski2011]

OK, I asked a few days ago and got missed. I have some 3 day old Calico (sweetwater) turkeys. Was wondering how long to table weight? I know at least two of you that raise these things - yes?

You can go to Turkey Talk 2014 Thread, that's where I get my advice on my turkey's. This is my 1st yr and I have 1 bbw and 1 bbb. Trying to grow them out so their fresh for the holidays, not to slow and not to fast. I feed them 26% protein turkey pellets and lots of fruits and veggies when there's scraps. I also let mine free range all day with the chickens and ducks so they don't fatten to quick. They are more personable than i thought they would be, follow me around everywhere, getting to really like those 2 turkey's.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Most of the time i keep the latch locked on account of the kids in the area; they mean no harm but let out my birds once when i wasn't home and i am a guest on the property.

 

[getreal]

welcome Julie

 

[preciouskitty]

Quote:
Originally Posted by juliejmt12

Hi there! Newbie in the house.
WELCOME!

 

[tntchix]

Hi Julie!

 

[chickflick]

Welcome, Julie! Chickens are so much fun!

 

[uchytil]

Welcome to all the new people. I've missed saying hi to quite a few. I sure wish so many others would come back and post. Yep, found this place a few years ago and have met some great people, got some sound advise, and deeper in debt from taking on more and more thanks to everyone, lol!

So, thanks for the turkey talk. My hope is I have a Tom and Hen in the mix to keep as breeders, but, if not they'll going to camp late this fall. I'll be feeding free choice grower, anything that does not make it to compost, and free-ranging in a pasture full of bugs and such. I think the Calico's are pretty neat looking so here we go...

 

[juliejmt12]

Wow! Thanks everyone for welcoming me to the forum!

 

[Maah]

Ok, update on the bunnies.

Yes, we caved. DS is now the happy owner of 2 Holland Lops. A male (neutered) & a female. Apparently pure breeds with tattooed numbers in their ears. (Learning process here... I'll figure out exactly what that means eventually).

I believe he got a good deal for the package. We understand he was pretty much buying the equipment & the rabbits came with it. Also, I understand now why the seller didn't want to include the "cages" that weren't pictured in the discounted rate he offered them. These were not just your basic rabbit cages... they were some primo deluxe indoor living room deals that stand about as tall as my thigh. He did end up paying $30ea for the living room cages... everything else was included in his original offer. I estimated the value of everything included to be between $700-$800 if he were to buy new. So a good buy for DS at $160 total. There was actually a ridiculous amount of stuff that came with these rabbits... they were either very spoiled or very well cared for by the sellers, or just obviously well loved.

I'm still not impressed with the style of the hutch though, but we have time to deal with that, and once we get their new permanent quarters built, we can re-purpose the little hutch into an animal quarantine/hospital or something inside the barn.

We picked them up on Saturday. We have been locking them up into the top part of the hutch all snug at night to help protect them from predators until we get things fixed up on it. DH will do some adjustments to it (change out the chicken wire on the run, add wire to the floor, etc). DH is planning on making a new large bunny habitat next summer, his wheels are turning already & I can see him getting started on it sooner. We'll see. If we don't get the new enclosure built before winter, their hutch will likely be moved inside the barn.

@uchytil - since we'll be building & designing the new quarters, maybe (just maybe) we'll make sure the size would also be able to accomodate a FG or FG cross if ever need be. It may not ever be in the cards for us but feel free to come on out & give us building & location ideas etc.

 

[uchytil]

Ok, update on the bunnies.

Yes, we caved. DS is now the happy owner of 2 Holland Lops. A male (neutered) & a female. Apparently pure breeds with tattooed numbers in their ears. (Learning process here... I'll figure out exactly what that means eventually).

I believe he got a good deal for the package. We understand he was pretty much buying the equipment & the rabbits came with it. Also, I understand now why the seller didn't want to include the "cages" that weren't pictured in the discounted rate he offered them. These were not just your basic rabbit cages... they were some primo deluxe indoor living room deals that stand about as tall as my thigh. He did end up paying $30ea for the living room cages... everything else was included in his original offer. I estimated the value of everything included to be between $700-$800 if he were to buy new. So a good buy for DS at $160 total. There was actually a ridiculous amount of stuff that came with these rabbits... they were either very spoiled or very well cared for by the sellers, or just obviously well loved.

I'm still not impressed with the style of the hutch though, but we have time to deal with that, and once we get their new permanent quarters built, we can re-purpose the little hutch into an animal quarantine/hospital or something inside the barn.

We picked them up on Saturday. We have been locking them up into the top part of the hutch all snug at night to help protect them from predators until we get things fixed up on it. DH will do some adjustments to it (change out the chicken wire on the run, add wire to the floor, etc). DH is planning on making a new large bunny habitat next summer, his wheels are turning already & I can see him getting started on it sooner. We'll see. If we don't get the new enclosure built before winter, their hutch will likely be moved inside the barn.

@uchytil - since we'll be building & designing the new quarters, maybe (just maybe) we'll make sure the size would also be able to accomodate a FG or FG cross if ever need be. It may not ever be in the cards for us but feel free to come on out & give us building & location ideas etc.

Awww, ain't they cute! You did get a real good deal and your son is going to have a great time with those Lops. By next spring you folks will be wanting a virile buck and start making babies to fill those cages. The nice thing about that fence (I have a similar one) is you can move it around the yard to keep it shaded and let the rabbits eat, hop, and run. Maybe look into a better door latch too. The turn-hasp style is self-locking and you can double secure it with a clip. A crafty coon will have that heart knob figured out quicker than rabbits breed.