Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[WalnutHill]

double

 

[bigmrg74]

I distinctly remember talk about such a dance last winter, don't think there were many takers though, and Raz, you need to watch your P's and Q's, I'm sure running around nakkid is bound to end you up back in jail

some people use a heat mat in the nest box, i you have electricity out there that may help
yes they are fine to eat. often the inner skin does not tear the shell just cracks. they may look funny but are fine to eat

I have to laugh every time I hear someone say how tired they are of winter,...... IT JUST STARTED!!,,,..... snowmobiler's are having a ball

One should not start start claiming to be tired of winter until after the new year.

Came home late tonight to lock the girls up. saw a bunch of black feathers around in and around the coop. Kinda hoping it was somebody just moulting instead of an attack. Looked around at the 4 likely victims with the flashlight, but didn't see anything obviously wrong with any of them, but the 3 black sex links were on the back roost and I couldn't get a good overall look at them.

 

[taprock]

I was one who wouldn't have minded a green Christmas and did some minor whining at the first snowfall. However now that it's here I'd like it to stay until spring. Thawing and refreezing is just to messy and unhealthy for the birds. My husband plows for the county and I haven't seen much of him this past week. He plows a 24 mile section of us 31. On Saturday he 300+ miles on that section. He said when he finished for the day it looked worse than when he started.

The snow has settled down my turkeys. Instead of chasing the neighbor's dog they have been sticking to the coop and roosting on fences. In the middle of a heavy snow last week I had two young Guineas in a tree. I scared them down, scared being the key word. It may not have been the wisest thing to throw a plastic scoop at them. One went into the coop and the other was so scared he flew off and hid. He spent the night out and was waiting for me in the morning to let him in. Thankfully the frequent cat visitor didn't find him.

My youngest batch of chicks has now been integrated into the coop. They are so small compared to everyone but they don't seem fazed by it and just scurry around under everyone and have not gotten picked on at all. I was a little worried because I have never introduced chicks when everyone was sticking to the coop like in winter.

 

[chyna]

I have a little Cochan Bantam That is a Roosters favorite and now has a bare back should,i cover it or leave her be. Michigan is single digits. I am leaving them in their co-op today which has a good layer of wood chips. She has 19 friends in there with her.

 

[robyn8]

I know chickens are fine in the cold as long as they have a dry draft free coop, but in theory would i be able to tell if them were cold? Would they just huddle together? Also as an update to my draft problem I haven't noticed them sleeping in a pile since we closed some vents so I think they are happier. They are sleeping up on roosts now and not even all that close to each other.

 

[aart]

I know chickens are fine in the cold as long as they have a dry draft free coop, but in theory would i be able to tell if them were cold? Would they just huddle together? Also as an update to my draft problem I haven't noticed them sleeping in a pile since we closed some vents so I think they are happier. They are sleeping up on roosts now and not even all that close to each other.

When I worry that they might be suffering from hypothermia,
I spread some treats and make sure they are all moving well.
They may rest a lot, nestle down and reserve energy,
but when the treats come out you see their true condition.

 

[1muttsfan]

I know chickens are fine in the cold as long as they have a dry draft free coop, but in theory would i be able to tell if them were cold? Would they just huddle together? Also as an update to my draft problem I haven't noticed them sleeping in a pile since we closed some vents so I think they are happier. They are sleeping up on roosts now and not even all that close to each other.

If they are comfortably spaced, fluffed out but not bunched, they are fine.

 

[robyn8]

Thanks Art. So they'd show the typical signs of being cold? If mine are happily pecking around and or sitting on the high roosts in the run I should assume they are fine?

 

[robyn8]

If they are comfortably spaced, fluffed out but not bunched, they are fine.

Perfect! That's exactly how they are. This first winter is really stressing me out, lol.

 

[RaZ]

So here is a brief update of today's court proceeding.
This was supposed to be a "motion hearing" where the judge would render a decision based on the defendant's attorney motion as well as the prosecutor's response.
The legal parties involved had the motions well within the time-frame allotted for review. On the other hand, I was NOT provided with a copy from either attorney despite their certification that I received copy from both of them. (That's a different issue entirely)
By the time the case is called, the judge is showing signs of distraction. This happens often. First off, his honor claims that he didn't receive the motions until this "morning". Defense said that he had them several days ago. I quoted the ROA which stated he received the motions on Dec.5. and read them on Dec. 9.
Anyway, the judge kept saying that this case was going to trial and this hearing wasn't needed. Both attorneys, the court clerk and the court reporter all told the judge that there were separate cases. The judge responded by saying that this "was all too confusing" and set a new motion hearing for January 3. Welcome to legal limbo.