Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[troyer]

And a question for my lovely locals: Do chickens eat Japanese beetles? I have read several articles online claiming that they do, but I'd like some verification from the Michiganians. Overturning the ordinance has stalled-life happens, you know how it goes. But I would like to resume my local "chicken fight" and if I could say that chickens do in fact eat Japanese beetles, that would help. I think every gardener hates them, and a LOT of people in this town have beautiful gardens. I'm also deciding where to plant my basil; in the backyard in the ground where chickens could protect it, or in the front where I would have to guard it with cheesecloth. But then it might get eaten by the chickens. Hey, do chickens eat basil?

Chickens do eat Japanese beetles when they are very easily accessible, but Muscovy ducks go around looking for them. Several summers ago I used a few Japanese beetle traps and early in the mornings when the beetles were still slow/chilly I would dump them into the chicken yard in several piles. The chickens would each eat a few, but the Muscovies gobbled them up. Muscovies are good for a lot of insect problems, but they can also be a major pain. Depends what you need them for. I am originally from Michigan. but live in PA now, so I'm not really local.

 

[aart]

And a question for my lovely locals: Do chickens eat Japanese beetles? I have read several articles online claiming that they do, but I'd like some verification from the Michiganians. Overturning the ordinance has stalled-life happens, you know how it goes. But I would like to resume my local "chicken fight" and if I could say that chickens do in fact eat Japanese beetles, that would help. I think every gardener hates them, and a LOT of people in this town have beautiful gardens. I'm also deciding where to plant my basil; in the backyard in the ground where chickens could protect it, or in the front where I would have to guard it with cheesecloth. But then it might get eaten by the chickens. Hey, do chickens eat basil?

They might....but chickens can also totally tear up a garden if not fenced out of it.

 

[Stacykins]

So I have four Araucana peepers in the incubator, with two more on their way out of the eggs! One is partially zipped, and one that hadn't pipped last night is now pipped. Nifty!

 

[1muttsfan]

Good news, Raz

Troyer you are still an honorary Michigander

 

[Whatshisface]

nope...i can tell you from experience....they did....not.....having a pistol without a license will get you a two year minimum prison felony term and then you will plea down to a 90 day misdemeanor of purchase pistol with out a license....trust me...then the 5 grand for a lawyer and then time served in jail...i moved over from wisconsin with some and because i didnt have them registered in michigan even tho i just moved here... i got charged....booooo for the justice system. and a second person who served in the military had her pistol reg in florida and she moved up and they got her on that same charge...expect she went in debt alot more...talking 60k plus...lost everything....all just to owe ten thousand more and the charges droped and the gun confiscated....funny world how we live in.....i have law enforcement in my background...but they never cared...all because i moved to a small town....should have stayed in wisconsin if you ask me....hope this helps.....AND GET THAT PERMIT...DONT THINK OTHERWISE...

Wow sorry to hear about what happen to you, that was just plain horrible. I believe we were actually talking about two different things though. Back in the day, you used to have to go down to the County Sheriff with a piece of paper detailing the gun you want to buy. The Sheriff's office would then give you a test, fingerprint you, do a background check and then give you a piece of paper (license) to buy the gun. You would have to keep this license for 30 days while they wait to update their database. Then you would go back to the gun store with your license and finish the registration with the Federal government. From what I understand today everything is done at the gun store including local and federal registration. No test or finger print, basically everything has been automated. So you see registration is still required but the License is not. Of coarse I have not bought a gun in a long time so I'm not as familiar with the process.

 

[swampducks]

Good morning from Barton City!

Seems to be about time for my annual spring check-in. Still have 8 hens and one roo. (no more guineas or ducks). The ladies are getting on up there, about 4 maybe this spring? The doms and dark cornish are still laying well but the 2 Isa Brown/Golden Comets are very infrequent. Perhaps they are protesting winter? Still plenty of snow on the ground though it's looking like temps will finally be starting to rise this weekend. I am SO looking forward to spring, though really, I shouldn't complain as this winter was way milder than 2013/14!

And as a sign of spring, I just tapped the maple tree next to the coop. If the sap starts flowing well it ought to be a really good sign spring is on the way.

 

[birdman55]

when you buy a gun now...whoever you buy from if they are a gun show or broker they do the background check...then they sell you the gun...then you have so many days to get the license from your local sheriff...if not well you know what happened to me...even when buying from someone on the street you get a receipt and then take the receipt and gun in just like you would do thru the other way....

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi swampducks

 

[tdhenson86]

Only in Michigan. Today, I woke up to below zero temperatures, it is supposed to keep getting warmer through the day into the night (the high will be overnight), and then, the next week looks like highs will all be above freezing. Weather can change so quickly, but I'm so glad that it seems spring is on the way!!!

 

[swampducks]

In our county, Alcona, the last time we bought a hand gun (2012). The dealer filled out all the forms including an RI 060 form it's a state of MI form called Pistol Sales Record which we then have 10 days to take to the sheriff in person or mail it in. We did not have to bring the gun. If you have a CPL, (concealed pistol license) they dealer doesn't have to do the background check because you're already been cleared and on record with law enforcement.

If you are buying from other than a dealer you go to the sheriff first, get an RI 010 form license to purchase, the sheriff does the background check and the seller fills in part of the license, signs it, and the buyer has 10 days to return the form to the sheriff. Again no need to bring in the gun.( If you again have that CPL you use the RI 060 instead of the 010 and put your CPL number on the form instead of the dealer license number.)

Unless you're a convicted felon, it's pretty easy to get a CPL, need a class from a certified instructor which includes instruction by a lawyer or law enforcement person, a target shooting session and then money to the county clerk for the application for the actual CPL. And you get finger printed, too and the FBI and MSP do the background check.

The only recent change in the law was they got rid of the county review board which reviewed the applications and added weeks to the process.