Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

So does anyone plant a winter cover crop?

I want to plant something in the backyard which is pretty compacted and shaded all summer long. I'm thinking field peas if I can find some. But I'm open to any crop that can be used as green manure.

I could look this up on my own but I'm being computer lazy...I'm doing stuff outdoors since my back is feeling a little better. TIA

barley or winter wheat might take, I would stay clear of crown vetch it can be a pain to get rid of

Try planting rye. Grows quick and easy to till under come spring.

I love the variety of egg color you get with Welsummers.

Love the white speckled, very nice!!

 

[snowflake]

So the only critter that came back for the leftovers last night was an owl. A darn big one, too! I actually put a roadkill turkey (killed in fr

nice pic, wish I had a night cam like that, may need to invest?


has any one had 2 hens sit on 1 nest, hatch and mother said hatchlings together? I have for the first time and it is so cool to watch them, 5 chicks, 2 mamma's and they are one big happy family, those mothers are double trouble if some one other then human goes near their chicks

DD dog was on the out side of the fence, and they were like 2 puffed up monsters coming at him

 

[Stacykins]

nice pic, wish I had a night cam like that, may need to invest?

If you get a game camera that is last year's models (some places are still trying to clear out old stock in preparation for hunting season), they're on sale and still quite excellent. I got that one for $30 only because it was last year's model. The original price was $80.

 

[uchytil]

So does anyone plant a winter cover crop?

I want to plant something in the backyard which is pretty compacted and shaded all summer long. I'm thinking field peas if I can find some. But I'm open to any crop that can be used as green manure.

I could look this up on my own but I'm being computer lazy...I'm doing stuff outdoors since my back is feeling a little better. TIA

I never have but I have played with the idea of winter rye on my garden. They sell (here) field peas at FFH. Before spring I needed to seed in around my barn due to construction. I mixed a deer forage (timothy, various clovers, etc.), red fescue, millet, buckwheat, rape, some more clover varieties, and some crap contractors grass seed. I liked to look so much I let the south side go all summer. Made a great ground cover even though I mowed 3 sides. My ducks get in there and find all kinds of treats to eat. Pretty soon the deer will be mowing it down.

 

[snowflake]

If you get a game camera that is last year's models (some places are still trying to clear out old stock in preparation for hunting season), they're on sale and still quite excellent. I got that one for $30 only because it was last year's model. The original price was $80.

thanks, I will have to look this is my FBCM egg from 2009 they are still as dark but larger, I thing that was her first egg,

 

[uchytil]

If you get a game camera that is last year's models (some places are still trying to clear out old stock in preparation for hunting season), they're on sale and still quite excellent. I got that one for $30 only because it was last year's model. The original price was $80.

Dick's had some for around $50. Go figure I'm the hunter and have never used one but my wife wants one for the same reason you use yours, lol! When I get her one I'm picking up another ladder stand

 

[SillyChicken]

I need to get one too!

I lost another turkey yesterday.

 

[mindylee]

nice pic, wish I had a night cam like that, may need to invest?


has any one had 2 hens sit on 1 nest, hatch and mother said hatchlings together?    I have for the first time and it is so cool to watch them, 5 chicks, 2 mamma's and they are one big happy family,   those mothers are double trouble if some one other then human goes near their chicks   DD dog was on the out side of the fence, and they were like 2 puffed up monsters coming at him 

I have 1 hen hatch 7 chicks and there is 4 mommas as all wanted the job. So since all get along I'm good with it as it gives the chicks lots of protection. But I too love when all poof up being protective over them or when all 4 mommas find a goodie and cluck for the chicks and their in 4 diff directions. Then the chicks run back n forth not sure who has the best treat.

 

[mindylee]

So the only critter that came back for the leftovers last night was an owl. A darn big one, too! I actually put a roadkill turkey (killed in front of the house yesterday) by the remains of the cockerel. It seemed to prefer the fresher turkey to last night's kill and ate most of it over the period of the night. All side pictures though, nothing of the face. So my solution is the cockerel pen gets covered. I like owls, I just don't like them making snacks of my birds that will be snacks for me! My other flock has a poultry netting covered run.

Looks like a barred owl.

 

[RaZ]

Love the owl picture. Sorry that it got your bird though.
I have not seen my Cooper hawk for several months now. I hope he is still around dining on pigeons.
I have a game camera and the only varmint it captured was the ordinance nazi trespassing on my land.