Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[1muttsfan]

Bedding on the floor in the winter is agood comfort measure to insulate from cold floors - especially if they are concrete - as well as absorbing moisture. Wood shavings are more absorbant than straw. Hay makes poor bedding, it is not very absorbant and is wiry, although is does have dried green leaves which the birds love to pick through (I put some in the run for entertainment and to cover the snow). If you are cleaning the coop daily, the difference between straw and shavings is probably unimportant.

Sawdust should not be used in the coop, it is too dusty and usually too wet if from unseasoned lumber.

 

[SillyChicken]

Does anyone know a good way to get the musty stank from old wood furniture? We wiped it down with some cleaner we had, but the thing makes the whole house reak! We ended up putting the sewing machine back out in the garage till we can figure out what to do with it. Any ideas? Vinegar? Murphys oil soap? The drawers are unfinished wood, so I worry about getting them too wet to clean... maybe I need to seal them ... it's horrible.. just a dank musty old nicotine smell. guess we may have to strip and refinish it sooner than I thought! HELP!!

 

[1muttsfan]

I would try scrubbing it down good with Murphy's oil soap, then reevaluate - ugh on the stale smoke smell.

 

[aart]

Baking soda maybe for a dry approach?
Lots of it, go to sams or cotsco and get a BAB(big@ssbag) of it.

Where was it stored...in a smokers house? If so airing it out for some time will help some.
Could be mold and mildew too.

 

[JackieandChicks]

Bedding on the floor in the winter is agood comfort measure to insulate from cold floors - especially if they are concrete - as well as absorbing moisture. Wood shavings are more absorbant than straw. Hay makes poor bedding, it is not very absorbant and is wiry, although is does have dried green leaves which the birds love to pick through (I put some in the run for entertainment and to cover the snow). If you are cleaning the coop daily, the difference between straw and shavings is probably unimportant.

Sawdust should not be used in the coop, it is too dusty and usually too wet if from unseasoned lumber.

Mine is from seasoned lumber...I get it bulk delivered for my horses and it is not dusty at all. In fact, it will freeze in clumps in the winter. It comes from a local mill and I think they grind up pallets, etc, as I have found square bits and pieces on occasion. It is also not too wet...that would defeat the purpose with my horses LOL! And I use it for my cat litter boxes too...cheaper than buying Feline Pine. It depends on where you get it from.

 

[chickflick]

Are we thinking of doing this on a Saturday or a Sunday??

Always on the 3rd Saturday of June. We've had such good luck on the weather at this time slot. Not too cold for the baby chicks. And, everyone will know when the picnic is.... and make plans a year ahead of time!! Hope to see all the newbies there. It's such a good way to meet all them faceless people you talk to. Buy and sell just about anything you want. Good food, too!!
It's at the Delta Mills Park in Delta Twp in Lansing.

 

[1muttsfan]

SawDUST is too fine for chickens, they have very sensitive respiratory tracts, and are down low close to the bedding breathing in dust and ammonia. If it is shavings, it should not be a problem.

 

[uchytil]

Does anyone know a good way to get the musty stank from old wood furniture? We wiped it down with some cleaner we had, but the thing makes the whole house reak! We ended up putting the sewing machine back out in the garage till we can figure out what to do with it. Any ideas? Vinegar? Murphys oil soap? The drawers are unfinished wood, so I worry about getting them too wet to clean... maybe I need to seal them ... it's horrible.. just a dank musty old nicotine smell. guess we may have to strip and refinish it sooner than I thought! HELP!!

Strip it. TSP. Bleach will help lighten. Re-stain and poly. Work, work, work - all the live-long day...

 

[Brennigan]

Stopped by TSC this morning for some good deals! $20 off Carhartt sweatshirts, 20% off fireplace supplies, and a few others goodies like working gloves, thermal gloves, and hats. ...accidentally checked the bank account & saw DH bought my Christmas present -- a new Carhartt coat! Between the wood stove and the coat, winter will be warm this year!

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

 

[uchytil]

Always on the 3rd Saturday of June. We've had such good luck on the weather at this time slot. Not too cold for the baby chicks. And, everyone will know when the picnic is.... and make plans a year ahead of time!! Hope to see all the newbies there. It's such a good way to meet all them faceless people you talk to. Buy and sell just about anything you want. Good food, too!!
It's at the Delta Mills Park in Delta Twp in Lansing.

Ya, and, for all the newbies planning to go you can check out a ton of previous threads & posts about MI Chickenstocks from years past.

Hi Chickflick, yeah - Laura's. Last I talked she was really busy with the grand baby.