Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[1muttsfan]

I used an Arkansas Blue rooster over CL hens last year and got some sexable prolific blue-egg layers with messy pea combs. Really nice not to have to raise cockerels. My feed bill is substantially down too, they are very feed efficient.

 

[gladahmae]

I had thought about that cross (barred sex links) but CL hens are so dang expensive to get.

 

[WalnutHill]

Quote:
Not in the same town, but not too far apart. FFH in Almont, TSC in Washington Township.

I have 96 EE set to hatch the Wednesday before Easter, setting at least 96 more from an egg swap (buff orp, lavender orp, Ameraucana, Araucana), and won an auction for some Silver Spangled Spitzhaubens. Plus another swap of Cornish crosses (not the commercial ones) and a bunch more, I want to fill the GQF.

And I have one lone turkey poult from a batch of previously frozen eggs pipped right now. I'll be setting at least 50 turkey eggs next week.

 

[uchytil]

My BOs are a week old now and have discovered that they can jump to the top of the feeder and fount. Let the games begin.

I'm up to 4 gallon s of sap. Small potatoes compared to real syrup guys like John but I only have the one tree. Temp is 60 degrees here and the sap is flowing like crazy.

Did I mention that the rescue silkie has started to crow? The robins are singing and so are the cardinals. It's looking a lot like spring around here.

eta: And an appearance by the hawk. He went away hungry.

What a weird year Randy. Sap flowing a month early. I have a headache from breathing wood smoke all week, and, just because of this weather, I feel like pulling all my spiles and quitting early this year. I finished of a few gallons of syrup but just don't have the usual drive. It is nice out though and that's a good thing.

 

[uchytil]

Looks like I won't have any Flemish Giants for Chickenstock. Maybe no syrup either. My main doe passed and the new does I have won't be ready to breed until late April. I may breed, and have, some mixed FG/NZ to bring. Always a good time in any case.

 

[gladahmae]

Weird year for sure for the maples! BIL is a supplier for sleeping bear farms and his tanks were full Monday morning. He's been boiling all week too.

This warm weather has me wanting to start planting my tomatoes and peppers WAY too early. Trying to be smart about it and hold off until the end of the month before shoving seeds in the dirt.

 

[aart]

22 eggs started yesterday......1 added after pic was taken, in case anyone's actually counting.
Wellie cock over blue laying EE, got some nice OE's from this last year....and back crosses of those OE's.
....and one pink egg(Lt. Brahma) just because..candling clarity and curiosity.



Hope to add a half dozen EE day olds from mill when these hatch...if timing works out.
Might do another hatch later this spring.....really want some Marans and Ameraucanas....will prompt building a hoop coop.

 

[RaZ]

Brought in another gallon of sap and started to boil again. I'll pull the spiles this afternoon.

The yard is a muddy mess but too wet to do anything to clean it up other than pick up fallen sticks. I can lay out the perimeter of the garden though.

Time to start thinking about goodies for CS16. Who wants birdhouses or feeders or such.

PS, Are you selling any of the lavender orps, @WalnutHill?

 

[WalnutHill]

Brought in another gallon of sap and started to boil again. I'll pull the spiles this afternoon.

The yard is a muddy mess but too wet to do anything to clean it up other than pick up fallen sticks. I can lay out the perimeter of the garden though.

Time to start thinking about goodies for CS16. Who wants birdhouses or feeders or such.

I got a gallon yesterday out of two spiles, half a gallon today. As long as sweetness is good, I'll keep boiling. I only tapped an Amur maple this year. When I pull the spiles from the Amur maple, I'll move them to a black walnut.

 

[Candy442]

What is a 'Sapphire'?

Putting a couple dozen from my coop in the bator this evening.
Some maybe OE from Wellie over blue laying EE and some backcross of that same cross.

Hi Aart,

A sapphire is a result of breeding a Cream Legbar rooster with a leghorn pullet. The resulting offspring will lay many light blue eggs according to what I have read.