Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

So good to hear from Darin again. One of the "old-timers" who used to post a lot. I guess we can understand why he isn't here that often.

Ventured out to my TSC to pick up the UTV blade I ordered. They are setting up for chick days but the bins were empty. Lucky me, eh?

I'm trying to build a portable garage before the rain starts. They are predicting 2 1/2 inches of rain over the next 24-hours. Welcome to mud season. I'm still working one-handed for the most part. I don't want to overdo it and delay the healing. It would be nice to have help but alas it seems that I am the most fit worker in the area. And the most sober.

I should do the bird count but I really don't know all that many birds by sight. I loaned my bird book to a friend and never got it back. I get more than I can identify.

 

[chickflick]

Raz, did you ever get your garage built. Or did the money freeze put a freeze on that, too?
Didn't you have a friend in Caseville? Can you call on him to help you?

 

[nicky5]

Does anyone in Michigan sell and ship to Michigan painted silkie fertile eggs???
I’m looking and searching everywhere

 

[RaZ]

Raz, did you ever get your garage built. Or did the money freeze put a freeze on that, too?
Didn't you have a friend in Caseville? Can you call on him to help you?

The garage build was halted due to frozen assets and frozen ground. Hopefully I'll be back on track after the spring thaw. My friend broke a nail last fall so that help has been rescinded.

 

[1muttsfan]

 

[RaZ]

Remember back a few years ago on the old MI thread when I asked about a hen squatting? And how it turned into a "chicken groping" issue?

Let's revisit that for a minute. I have 2 turkey hens that have been mounted by the tom. Both have squatted and been "groped" by yours truly. Five eggs have been laid so far. I have gathered them and I'm wondering if I should put them back in the nest box. I think that it's too soon for turkey nesting. I think that it is still too soon for for a broody hen of any type.

Opinions welcome.
Thank you.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree; it's just too cold. Some hens disagree though, and that's a problem.
Mary

 

[aart]

Ehh...I don't think it's too cold.
Had a broody hatch 100% in Jan/Feb 2015.
I've got a broody now that I think I will let set if she sticks.
Might depend on your coop set up,
easy for me to pop in the partition wall for a nice safe place.

 

[snowflake]

Yes, Raz the groper
I do not have any broody's yet this year, But mine are just starting to lay again.
Rain,rain,go away!!,,,,,, everything is flooding even my basement got a leak in the wall we have not seen before, going to lowes today to see if we can find something to stop the flow.
we have Downy, Harry, and yellow-bellies at our suit feeders, sparrows, finches(purple,golden and house), blue birds, nut hatch, junco's, tit-mouse, blue jays, cardinals, and chickadee's all very common to Mi. at our sunflower feeder. had a tree full of cedar wax wings....they only stayed 1 day.

 

[SillyChicken]

lol, yeah that brought back a few memories. Glad your hand is on the mend Raz.

Turkeys are fickle... they will lay when they want to and will only do it in the spring. You will lose a bunch of eggs. They are also crappy mothers, I had a hen sit on 30 eggs, hatched only a few of the eggs, and the chicks all died. If I were to do again, I would pull any chicks and hand raise.

I am also thinning down my farm. I have to sell/process my jacobs sheep (I plan to keep 4 of the ewes for the wool). I'll still keep the hens. We are planning to move to Tennessee in the next few years and I hope we can find a place to bring them along. If anyone on here would like a potbelly pig to roam their yard, I have one that needs a new home. She is very sweet, loves a belly rub and apples. She hasn't torn up my yard at all. The new home just has to promise not to eat her!

So nice to see Farmer and his girls! Congratulations on the new addition Darin and on your new job.

The last couple weeks have been rough. I came down with the flu and bronchitis at the same time. My husband's spine surgery went well, it's nice to see him relatively pain free for once. My Dad has come home for hospice care. It's been so hard to see him this way. I spoke my piece to him the other day... but it hasn't helped make me feel any better. I guess I should feel lucky I could tell him these things as many people don't get that chance. Now we wait.