Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Those are Silver Laced Wyandottes, sorry.

 

[Brennigan]

TOTALLY silver-laced wyandottes! @tntchix ! LOL; they are such pretty birds. However, the first image brought up on Google of "Silver Leghorn Hen" does bring about feather pattern similarities. Enjoy your "new" ladies...hehe.

 

[bigmrg74]

Speaking of bedding...I have a question.
Today, at the feed store, I asked for a bale of hay. Just something to add to the coop for the sweet smell (for me) and for the seeds for the birds to forage for.
The fellow there asked if I wanted "feed hay" or "swamp grass hay". That kind of threw me. When I said it was forage/entertainment for the chickens, he said I needed "swamp hay".

I'm not up on the various hay types but this bale looks and smells like Timothy grass. It is a nice shade of green and the birds were all over it within minutes.

Some hayfields consist of "wild hay" or "meadow hay" as compared to "tame" hay grasses that have been planted. Many of the native or volunteer plants that grow in uncultivated hayfields are good, nutritious grasses that make acceptable hay for beef cattle. As long as the plant mix is predominantly grasses of palatable types (rather than weeds or swamp grasses), meadow hay is quite adequate for winter feed-especially for mature cows that don't need high levels of protein. Some of these native grasses, when cut before seed heads mature, are very palatable and high enough in protein content for calves and lactating cows, without having to add a supplemental protein source
copied from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Selecting+hay+for+cattle.-a0169961831
What was the price difference between the two?

Yeah, that does sound like its hay for cattle or other animals like sheep. I've helped out some friends stack hay for their sheep and I'm always turning green at some of the bales that will come in all stemmy looking with all sorts of weeds in them. Lot of stuff that I wouldn't feed out to a horse there where most of my experience with hay is at. Cattle and sheep can eat that stuff because they're ruminates who chew their cut. Horses can't even regurgitate, and is why horse owners fear their horses going colic on them as its a strict one way system with horses.

However with chickens, just having the cheap stuff for them to scratch and peck through is fine I would think. Just toss a few flakes at them and they'll be busy for a while with that.

 

[MinnyBear77]

Folks, the original Michigan thread was closed yesterday due to flaming; many hours were spent cleaning it up, and it was reopened, only to have folks come in and begin flaming, trolling, and questioning moderation. Due to the extent of the clean-up needed, it has been decided by the Staff that the original thread will remain closed, but out on the forum so that folks can access the information it contains.

To those of you who are regular contributors - please take a moment to review the rules you all agreed to upon joining BYC. They are found at the bottom of the site under "TOS" - if anyone should have questions or require clarification, feel free to PM a Staff member at any time.

Please also take a moment before posting your replies to re-read what you've written to be sure it's within the rules. None of us Staff want to be "big brother" and watch threads...we simply don't have the time to do so. Thus, we rely on you to keep the peace, and to report posts before problems ensue. Had reports been made long ago, we may have been able to keep the original thread open.

Okie dokie - 'nuf said!

 

[MinnyBear77]

Can someone help me out i have a question about a couple of my chickens and i need some . People with brains to figure out what happened to them! Please PM me!!!!

 

[tntchix]

I'm not sorry at all. I love them. I just can't believe I missed it this long. LOL They were on next spring's list for chicks anyway. Guess I get to pick a new breed.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

LOL that is too funny!

To the bedding/ cleaning discussion i, too, like squeaky clean floors (hello- birds are lap birds
...gaa!) But winter i always resist the urge and put in a foot of straw, *minimum* why? Because it acts as an insulater at night, storing heat so the coop temp drops are more gradual. It also wicks moisture from the air, making the cold bearable and frostbite less likely. Rubber 3 gallon dishes nestled down into the straw stayed unfrozen until it dropped below 20's. (I keep my water in the coop)

Happy thanksgiving everyone! Stay safe driving and try to stay positive!
Holidays are when i feel my family losses the worst... have to buck up and put on a smile.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I still change the straw in a month if it gets smelly, but turning it with a pitchfork keeps the poops from the surface. At that point they are frozen anyway!!

 

[chickflick]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hope you day is filled with love and laughter!

 

[preciouskitty]

HAPPY THANKSGIVINGS, EVERYONE