Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[taprock]

Wish I had some advice for you HHH.

Maah you can always use a new coop or even two!

I am a bad chicken mom! Last night the temperature started to drop about 5 so I closed everyone up a bit early. It got down to -13 so it wasn't as bad as I expected. This morning I'm out opening up the coops with the help of the dog. I hear a chicken from one of the coops I haven't opened yet. Yup a lady got left out overnight. She is one of the rebellious Basque girls who have to trek through the snowbank to an old unused garage to lay her egg in a snowy corner. Obviously she was a bit late last night and missed closing of the coops. Thankfully she seems fine with a couple white tips on her comb. We'll have to see if they turn black later. That's what I get not counting my chickens!

 

[Whatshisface]

Quote: I've had bees for about 4 years. Here is a summary of my brief experience. Bees are a lot less work but the risk is much higher than chickens. I know a lot of people that lost all or most of their hives in the last few years. Trust me there is nothing more disheartening. I just want you to get into this with your eyes open. As far as why they lost their hives will varied. I personally lost all my hives last winter when the temperature dropped to -40. Prior to that, I had 3 very healthy hives. Other people have lost their hives to mites. There are things you can do about mites. Some people use chemicals in their hives to control mites, some people (like myself) will not allow chemicals in the hive period. There is finally a natural solution made from Hops which is what I now use. Your first year, do not expect very much honey. In your first year your Bees will be busy making wax for comb and just enough honey to survive on. So prepare yourself up front for the disappointment. When your hive is new and small they are in danger of predators, like mice, skunk and wax moth. I’ve had a mouse in a hive once, she did a lot of damage before I caught her. Now that I’ve scared you the big question is will I do it again, Yes. I plan on buying a few packages of bees from a friend of mine and starting over. Can you get into this cheap, yes. Is it even more risky, yes. There are so many new bee keepers that just give up or decide it’s not for them that you can find some discounted hives. Like I said that is dangerous because the hives may have mites or God know what else. On the other hand if you know the hives are clean, you will not only get a cheaper hive but one that already has frames and comb, which is awesome. As far as an extractor, if you live anywhere near me. I will let you use mine no charge.

 

[aart]

Quote: Didn't think of that....I suppose you could get protective gear that way too.
I would like to see a list of equipment.

 

[Whatshisface]

Didn't think of that....I suppose you could get protective gear that way too.
I would like to see a list of equipment.

Just off the top of my head, here the bare minimum
- protective Veil, coat and gloves
- a hive consist of the following
* a bottom board
* 2 deeps
* at least 2 honey supers.
* 20 deep frames and 20 deep foundations
* 20 Honey super frames and 20 honey super foundations
* 1 queen excluder
* 1 inner cover
* 1 medal cover
- a Hive tool,
- a smoker
- some kind of book on bee keeping like Bee Keeping for dummy's < I like that book.

 

[snowflake]

Got a broody hen out there, if she sits for another 24 hours, I'm going to transfer her to a portable floor nest and if she sits that I'm going to give her some fertile eggs.

Won't THAT be fun.....momma hen with babies in my flock?!?
Never experienced that before and plan to hatch in late Feb anyway/also.

trouble with planning on hatching at a certain time with a broody is they never seem to go broody when you want them to

 

[aart]

Quote: I know, right?!?!

Had one go last summer, broke her easily tho.

This is actually a pretty good time....could be a little later due to the cold, but I'll probably let her try.

 

[aart]

Quote: Thanks....I'll bet that adds up to a couple hundred bucks if all bought new?

 

[uchytil]

@Maah You are too funny! I'll be breeding Flemish Giants in order to have 8 week old bunnies by CS. I have a grey buck now and he'll be bringing new colors to the mix for maximum cuteness.

 

[uchytil]

I thought about bees for about a week, once, once...Maple Syrup is enough for me. I do love making the Mead though!

 

[Whatshisface]

Thanks....I'll bet that adds up to a couple hundred bucks if all bought new?

Probably between $300 and $350 and you still haven't bought your bees yet. A couple of places I frequent when I'm buying new equipment are Dadants and Mann Lake. I don't like what they put in their beginner kits. They all seem to be missing important items which means you will have to keep coming back buying things. If you are buying over the internet than that means you are going to be paying a lot for shipping and handling over and over again. I was fortunate to get most of my equipment used from people I trusted. You don't need this starting out but a cheap no frill extractor will start you about $200. I picked one up that was used by the Amish and is close to a hundred years old. I believe it was built in 1920 and it does everything I need it to do and it does it well, I paid $75 for it.