Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

Quote: Protein levels...is the key for me.
16% in layer is minimal requirements....can be diluted if you feed other stuff.

 

[wannahomestead]

Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the next great thing in what can only be called German engineering. It has to be german because it's clearly so superior and great it just might make your eyes bleed because it's so great! I am talking of course about:


THE HAWK BLOCKER 9000 VERSION 2.0!


Look at this great German greatness from Germany! Did I mention it's German? That means you have to buy it! GERMANY!








BUY NOW! GERMANY!!!

On a serious note, this is the chicken tractor I build to replace the scrap hodgepodge mess I posted several pages back. In case you forgot



I'd say the new one is a vast improvement. You'll notice the new one is missing a top. I haven't actually had hawk issues, and the vultures have long moved on. I'm still planning a top for it in the future, just haven't solidified a plan yet, and I need more material.

The nice thing is the new one is sturdy enough to pick up and move around, and if I stand in the middle and grab the sides, I can move it myself no problem.

 

[1muttsfan]

I would say a top is a must, as birds of prey are always around, as are stray dogs and other predators that could hop right over that low fence

 

[wannahomestead]

I would say a top is a must, as birds of prey are always around, as are stray dogs and other predators that could hop right over that low fence

I don't disagree. However, the chooks are currently free ranging and I haven't had any issues with them either. I definitely know that is a bit of a "when" and not an "if" but so far things have gone well, and a top will be employed in the very near future.

This weekend is chicken run build, and hopefully some form of lid for the HB9Kv2.

 

[OldMissionChick]

Chicka our Isa Brown laid her first egg today! I AM SOOOO HAPPY

 

[wannahomestead]

Chicka our Isa Brown laid her first egg today! I AM SOOOO HAPPY

YAY! super congrats to you

Good size first egg too!

 

[OldMissionChick]

YAY! super congrats to you

Good size first egg too!

Thanks! I was looking for something to compare size and a dollar bill was the only thing I could find. I figured she was getting close because she became super vocal and wandering away from the flock. Caught her in the garage a few times.

 

[wannahomestead]

Quote:
I think one of my Australorps is real close. They've all had the wattles and comb develop, but I have one in particular that has started being quite the chatty Kathy. I already opened up my nest boxes, and I just need to get them some bedding and probably build some kind of curtain-y thing. Dollar bill was a perfect thing to compare it to, as most everyone has at least a dollar floating around, or can pretty easily recall the size.

 

[OldMissionChick]

Quote:
I think one of my Australorps is real close. They've all had the wattles and comb develop, but I have one in particular that has started being quite the chatty Kathy. I already opened up my nest boxes, and I just need to get them some bedding and probably build some kind of curtain-y thing. Dollar bill was a perfect thing to compare it to, as most everyone has at least a dollar floating around, or can pretty easily recall the size.

Our Black Australorp has no waddles and still a small pink comb. 2 of our RIR will be next, the other still like the Australorp. Our EE (Araucana) have no waddles but their combs are turning red. And the 2 Black Jerseys are not far behind, maybe a few more weeks.

 

[iamfivewire]

@wannahomestead : maybe you need to get some Bielefelder chickens - they are a German breed , to go with your German chicken run