Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[OldMissionChick]

Just read something about 12" wide fly paper from TSC that seems to work well.

I will have to check that out. Found the trash cans full so a trip to the dump will happen today. One can had a nice treat in the bottom of it, so dumped it out and grabbed a couple chickens and they had a field day sprinkled some lavender oil all over in the cans so I hope that helps too.

 

[OldMissionChick]

I scrub my floors with the off brand pine sol from Kroger. It smells good, so flies seem to not like it. It isn't so strong that it bothers the chickens.  You may have those biting blackflies up north though and I really don't know what to do about those though.  

I started scrubbing the whole house with OdoBan, its eucalyptus scented. Online says they dont like eucalyptus, lavender (which I don't like either), cloves & cayenne pepper. So will have to see what works best. Also read to take a brown paper bag full of newspaper or plastic bags & hang that. Supposed to look like a paper hornets nest, which eat flies, and they stay away.

 

[runaelle]

I have also heard that lavender replies mites. I planted 8 lavender plants around my run for the chickens in hopes that they will grow into a hedge around the run. I love the smell of lavender and the looks of it. I will add a few plants next year to help it fill in. Some of my hens that refuse to be penned have picked a few leaves off of them, so I will see if they make it through the winter. Once it all comes in and fills out I will post pics. That will take a few years though.

 

[RaZ]

I watched the baby ducks pick flies right out of the air. I was pretty amazed.

I hang those x-mas trees air fresheners in the coop. The vanilla scented one has worked pretty well in helping to repel flies.
I don't know if the shiny pennies in a baggie of water actually work but I do like the goofiness of seeing them hanging around the garage and patio.
I'd like to know if some of the essential oils work for people. Even if they don't I do like the nice smell of eucalyptus and peppermint.

The worst pest here is the fleas. My poor dogs have been itching like crazy and I can't get rid of the little blighters. Frontline hasn't helped so I'll try K9 Advantix next. Maybe I should fine some Avon Skin-so-soft.

 

[wannahomestead]

I watched the baby ducks pick flies right out of the air. I was pretty amazed.

They are pretty amazing aren't they? I've watched my snatch down more than a few dady longlegs that I didn't even notice at first.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

I have a rooster issue. He has just gotten so loud and I can't keep him anymore.

He is very sweet, and is nice to his hens. He is a Jersey Giant crossed with a Black Star. He hatched 13/14/15 so he is about 7-8 months old. His name is Ebony.


Would anyone be interested? He is a PET rooster, my last three I gave to people on here got killed . But I really don't have a choice anymore.

He is free to a good home. I can probably give a free laying hen if needed.

 

[RaZ]

One week old and they are already water-proof.

 

[aart]

One week old and they are already water-proof.

What does chicken mama think about that?
(I think you have a chicken broody that hatched those out?)

 

[BigHope888]

I'm happy to hear about first eggs! But I'm also sad about the loss. (Was VintageGem the only one? Not trying to be a booger.) That's a pain I have not felt yet. I know it's coming one day and I know it'll be bad. I know i'll have to try to remember that I will have given my ladies the best chicken lives they could hope for.

Quote:

my ducks are staying outside for the first time since I got them. I'm a little nervous, but I'm sure they'll be fine.

We got a home built dog house for free off a local buy/sell site. after taking a closer look today I see why it was free. It's fairly rotted in a few spots. I've decided this thing will only be temporary until I build them something nicer in a couple weeks.

Tomorrows the big day; I start framing the chicken run. I got the lumber unloaded today. All the rain we've had caused it to mold a little bit so I'm going to sand it lightly. It will eventually be painted.

One of my easter eggers laid their first egg today

, so I got 2 eggs. Hopefully the rest will follow soon. I hope 3 nest boxes will be enough for 7 ladies to share.

I hope you know what breeds you have! In my inexperience, I saw someone online using Tidy Cats litter boxes (the pails) cut out for nesting. So that's what we did. But their ladies must be bantams, and ours are large, because our girls fit pretty snug in their boxes. I'm contemplating building them some wider wooden boxes, or just being lazy and getting the premades from TSC. And I think 3 for 7 will be just fine. But apparently I make inexperienced decisions.

No pictures but a hatchling update. Chicks are almost 2 weeks old and seem to be fully integrated in with the rest of the flock. Ducklings are 5-6 days old and spending all day out with and away from the others. But they are giving mother hen worries with their independence. She wanted them to go in for the night but they insisted in playing in the sprinkler. So funny to watch mom scold them from the perimeter while they were making mud pies. Just wait until they find the pond.

That sounds hysterical, and your pictures are great. Glad to see you back posting chicken/ducky things. I hope all is well.

Ours were still in the brooder when we left on vacation for a week. We had my MIL stay at our house for the first half and FIL the second. But we also have a cat, a senior dog & a puppy. We were thinking about putting a solar panel on the coop hooked to a timer to open & close the chicken/duck door.

BF and I spent a Friday/Saturday night camping. Put my best friend in charge of chicken wrangling. She let them out but she's too sweet to scare them in, wasn't coordinated enough to bribe them in, and had to wait for them to go in. So if you get a dear friend or family member, pay them in eggs, dollars, or both, and make sure they know exactly how to deal with them before you leave.

I will have to check that out. Found the trash cans full so a trip to the dump will happen today. One can had a nice treat in the bottom of it, so dumped it out and grabbed a couple chickens and they had a field day

sprinkled some lavender oil all over in the cans so I hope that helps too.

I love finding buggy treats for the chickens! I've discovered that mine will eat Japanese beetles if I catch the pests for them. Ahhhh, Japanese beetles, I hate hate HATE those things with language I will not use here.

Well, blowing off a workout today, but it's nice to catch up on all the chick chatter and add some of my own. I am really enjoying the chicken life. I'm sure the girls are loving life too. They're big girls now and I've calmed down a good deal about letting them free range, so they can roam the yard as long as bf or myself are home. The only daytime predator I worry about is a hawk, and they're large and also smart enough to run for cover if one comes near. I have two consistent layers, Hazel and Penny, and Sunshine is joining them. We've gotten a couple soft shelled eggs that the girls ate, but I understand that inconsistencies happen, especially early. My three closest neighbors are all super cool with my having them (knock wood). And when one got in the neighbor's yard earlier this week, my boyfriend literally FLUNG himself over the fence to get her. It was funnier than anything I've ever seen a chicken do. He loves them, gives them more scratch than I do. And the girls all know that when I call "Laaaaaadies," or make kiss noises, it's treat time. Or when I walk out into the yard with a bowl in my hand. Well, Penny was just singing, so it's time to go get another delicious egg. Good times.

 

[OldMissionChick]

I'm happy to hear about first eggs!  But I'm also sad about the loss.  (Was VintageGem the only one?  Not trying to be a booger.)  That's a pain I have not felt yet.  I know it's coming one day and I know it'll be bad.  I know i'll have to try to remember that I will have given my ladies the best chicken lives they could hope for

Sadly our dog (almost 4yo and has imprinted on me) killed my favorite chicken Monday. Not sure if she felt jealous or instinct as a dog. But she has lost her free range privileges and is tied up if she is out with the chickens free ranging. Idk what to do. We were prepared for wild predators but not one from our "pack".