Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[bigmrg74]

Had the girls out for about 2 hours this afternoon while I went and moved a bunch of concrete blocks and some old clay field tiles. A couple of them were so busted that I just carried them out to a couple of the low spots out in the driveway and went HULK SMASH!!! with them, helped to fill in those low spots. Think there was like 18 assorted tiles left over. Kinda tempted to put them up on Craigslist and see if anybody wants them. I can't think of anything I would want them for.

Anyways, the girls had fun out wandering and it was just warm enough that the last of the grasshoppers were moving around today. Not all that fast but enough that they would get spotted. Perfect hunting conditions for the girls. Its going to be a pain in the butt keeping track of them later on once they take the beans out of our field soon. they'll just go a few rows in, but not much further than that.


And of course I had my special helper with me to help keep an eye on the girls.

 

[preciouskitty]

Yep, the birds did enjoy being out yesterday. Mine were out from about 1000-1700; and spent virtually the entire time scratching thru leaves in the back woods! They love this time of year...never go in the woods in the summer, but as soon as leaves fall that's where they hang.

Couple of times hadn't seen them for an hour or two, would call my rooster Bigboy's name, he'd crow back to let me know they were back there. I swear, chickens are smarter than I would've ever thought...he does know his name! If I yell "come on babies", within a minute or so they all start filing out of the woods to see what's up...

 

[bigmrg74]

Just had my first big scare for the girls. I had just let them out to do a little free ranging and I had walked back to the garage. I turn back around and I hear a thump. I look over and there's some sort of hawk taking off and hightailing it across the bean field. Thankfully, the girls had all found cover right away. I quickly rounded everybody back inside of their tractor, and they were all rather complacent about going back inside today. I can't really blame em when they're all sure they just saw Toruk, the Last Shadow.

 

[suliah]

New here, just thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm just outside of Muskegon, MI.
Right now I have:
6 Isa Browns,
1 welsummer rooster (that will probably be dinner soon)
2 hens that I have no idea what they are but are NOT the easter eggers I paid for at Tractor Supply
2 hens that are EE's from tractor supply
1 khaki campbell duck (female)

and 8 baby chickees in my basement, 3-4 weeks old:
2 Spitz
2 wheaten marans
2 buff laced polish
1 black copper maran (supposedly, still questioning that)
1 blue laced red wyandotte

I had my chickens free ranging, like everyone around me, until I got a letter from the township that told me the neighbors complained. Plus the hawks have taken to hunting my chickens, I've lost 2 chickens and 2 ducks this summer. Now I'm in the process of containing them.

So... Hi! I'll be posting pics of my babies soon to try to figure out gender as they grow up

 

[uchytil]

New here, just thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm just outside of Muskegon, MI.
Right now I have:
6 Isa Browns,
1 welsummer rooster (that will probably be dinner soon)
2 hens that I have no idea what they are but are NOT the easter eggers I paid for at Tractor Supply
2 hens that are EE's from tractor supply
1 khaki campbell duck (female)

and 8 baby chickees in my basement, 3-4 weeks old:
2 Spitz
2 wheaten marans
2 buff laced polish
1 black copper maran (supposedly, still questioning that)
1 blue laced red wyandotte

I had my chickens free ranging, like everyone around me, until I got a letter from the township that told me the neighbors complained. Plus the hawks have taken to hunting my chickens, I've lost 2 chickens and 2 ducks this summer. Now I'm in the process of containing them.

So... Hi! I'll be posting pics of my babies soon to try to figure out gender as they grow up

Welcome. I'm near Twin Lake. We have KC ducks also. Matter of fact I need to go collect eggs from them.

 

[preciouskitty]

@suliah


Birds have been on the woods out back since 11am. Haven't seen them since I let them out. Can just hear lots of leaves rustling around.

Gonna have to gather them in an hour or so cuz I AM hunting tonight....didn't last night cuz wood guy was supposed to deliver 7 cords of wood (got 5 in the morn). Didn't. And, of course, like clockwork, 7 deer in my hunt zone at 19:10....

 

[tntchix]

New here, just thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm just outside of Muskegon, MI.
Right now I have:
6 Isa Browns,
1 welsummer rooster (that will probably be dinner soon)
2 hens that I have no idea what they are but are NOT the easter eggers I paid for at Tractor Supply
2 hens that are EE's from tractor supply
1 khaki campbell duck (female)

and 8 baby chickees in my basement, 3-4 weeks old:
2 Spitz
2 wheaten marans
2 buff laced polish
1 black copper maran (supposedly, still questioning that)
1 blue laced red wyandotte

I had my chickens free ranging, like everyone around me, until I got a letter from the township that told me the neighbors complained. Plus the hawks have taken to hunting my chickens, I've lost 2 chickens and 2 ducks this summer. Now I'm in the process of containing them.

So... Hi! I'll be posting pics of my babies soon to try to figure out gender as they grow up

Welcome! Can't wait to see your birds.

Welcome. I'm near Twin Lake. We have KC ducks also. Matter of fact I need to go collect eggs from them.

You guys are both by my family up that way

 

[RaZ]

I've been moving some firewood myself today. Bringing seasoned wood from the back to up under the patio. The back of the house looks like an old time wooden fort.
Gathering up some stuff for the new compost heap. The coop bedding I put out last week needs more green material for a good mix.

It is a great day to be outdoors.

 

[tntchix]

You're right RaZ, it's beautiful outside.

 

[RaZ]

This may be a tad political in nature but it certainly is not partisan. I think that it is more educational than anything.
We are only a few weeks away from an election and voters should be educated when they cast their ballot.
I hope I am not stepping on any toes with this post.

http://sustainablefarmpolicy.org/not-about-chickens/vote-for-a-better-food-system