Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Folly's place]

Welcome!

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Hello!
I'm new to the BYC. I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of questions from me soon. I'm going to incubate eggs for the first time whenever they arrive. Trying to add more diversity to my small flock of 5 SLW hens, a Seramas hen?, and a NHR roo.
Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted

and to the MI thread!

 

[yoopergirl]

Hello!
I'm new to the BYC. I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of questions from me soon. I'm going to incubate eggs for the first time whenever they arrive. Trying to add more diversity to my small flock of 5 SLW hens, a Seramas hen?, and a NHR roo.
Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted

I'm pretty new here too and just incubated my first eggs. It's ridiculous how exciting it is waiting for them to hatch! Everybody here has been really helpful and I've found lots of good advice. Good luck

 

[swampducks]

Welcome. I believe there is a Cinco de Mayo hatch-along (yup, there's the link) over in the hatch a long form if you're interested. I joined in the Easter hatch along and had a good time. Plus any questions you have will be sure to be answered, the thread is already very busy!

 

[gladahmae]

Well, as these things usually go, my chickens must have heard my mutterings about cost of feed and lack of output because egg numbers have gone up considerably in the past week, and it appears that my welsummers have decided that they in fact DO know how to lay eggs.

Opa, thank you for the wonderful chart. As much as I want to plant something, I also don't want to start the season off with disappointment.

Does anyone know if thyme and sage are hardy up here? I could have sworn the seed packets said zone 6 (which we definitely are not) but both of those plants apear to have green growth in the crowns??? I planted something else last year....tarragon? Anyone know about that? It grew well but I never actually used any of it.

 

[yoopergirl]

Does anyone know if thyme and sage are hardy up here? I could have sworn the seed packets said zone 6 (which we definitely are not) but both of those plants apear to have green growth in the crowns??? I planted something else last year....tarragon? Anyone know about that? It grew well but I never actually used any of it.

I'm not sure about tarragon but thyme and sage should be fine. Mine has always come back every year. I know some of the fancy varieties of sage are less hardy (like the purple leaves) but I've had the same plants for a couple years now and if they survived last winter this year should be no problem! I think they are zone 4 but that's just my guess. Hope that helps

 

[myfarm4579]

Good morning everyone.. hope everyone is able to to get out and enjoy this spring like weekend

 

[ToniTalley]

Well, as these things usually go, my chickens must have heard my mutterings about cost of feed and lack of output because egg numbers have gone up considerably in the past week, and it appears that my welsummers have decided that they in fact DO know how to lay eggs.

Opa, thank you for the wonderful chart. As much as I want to plant something, I also don't want to start the season off with disappointment.

Does anyone know if thyme and sage are hardy up here? I could have sworn the seed packets said zone 6 (which we definitely are not) but both of those plants apear to have green growth in the crowns??? I planted something else last year....tarragon? Anyone know about that? It grew well but I never actually used any of it.

yes to all 3 herbs, although the varieties may make a difference in how hardy they are, but I have all 3 herbs in my garden and they come back every year. Sage gets cut way back every year as it gets really big and hogs the space from other herbs.

*Tarragon is great with egg dishes and fish as well. I use it a lot...lotsa eggs around here!

 

[mrcush]

Asking for opinions or advice again. I have 6 hens and 2 of them quit laying a couple weeks ago. I've searched the yard looking for possible other spots where they may have laid with no luck. I've heard stress can make them stop laying. I have 2 puppies, 1 is 10 months and the other 5 months. We have been doing pretty good with training them not to chase their sisters but being puppies they have done it a few times. Could stress like this stop them from laying? Any other thoughts as to why they stopped laying? 4 of the 6 hens are the same age, I think this is our third season with them and we got them when they were about 4 months old. It's 2 of those 4 that have completely stopped laying. They are easter eggers. Suggestions? Thoughts? Advice? Thanks

 

[aart]

Asking for opinions or advice again. I have 6 hens and 2 of them quit laying a couple weeks ago. I've searched the yard looking for possible other spots where they may have laid with no luck. I've heard stress can make them stop laying. I have 2 puppies, 1 is 10 months and the other 5 months. We have been doing pretty good with training them not to chase their sisters but being puppies they have done it a few times. Could stress like this stop them from laying? Any other thoughts as to why they stopped laying? 4 of the 6 hens are the same age, I think this is our third season with them and we got them when they were about 4 months old. It's 2 of those 4 that have completely stopped laying. They are easter eggers. Suggestions? Thoughts? Advice? Thanks

Yes, it can.

Keep the dogs from ever getting near the chickens off leash until you can trust the dogs completely...could take up to a year or two.
Lots of variables here in how you train.

Are they free range birds?
Might want to confine them for a couple days to 're-home' them to the coop nests.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 2-3 days can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it.