Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

I worked a little on that compost pile this afternoon. Basically I scooped from the bottom and dumped on the top. The bottom is a rich, dark colour with a nice earthy aroma. Near perfect compost. I'm looking forward to spring planting.

 

[1muttsfan]

After that big cold snap and the snow, our ground (mulch included) is frozen solid. Usually I can get bulbs and garlic planted until the end of November, not this year though

 

[aart]

After that big cold snap and the snow, our ground (mulch included) is frozen solid. Usually I can get bulbs and garlic planted until the end of November, not this year though

Only the very top is frozen here, and mostly where the snow was removed...snow cover protected most of it. Must be why the snow melting is not making puddles but just seeping into the ground.....and I think much is just evaporating. It's stayed between just below freezing and mid to upper 30's.

Been watching this happening all over:

 

[RaZ]

Almost feels like spring. It's 40 degrees and a bright, sunny day.
And mud.

After the snow, I had a heavy leaf fall. The leaves covered the snow so the ground looked like a typical fall landscape. Very little ground was frozen and not very deep. So mud, mud and mud. They are calling for rain all day tomorrow.

So I think I'll go add some bedding to the coop and work on the garage today.

 

[chickflick]

No sun here, but in the 40's. Days have been good to introducing the rescue chicken to the flock. Free ranging so she can get away from them. But, the new chicken follows me around while I do my chores. I went in and in a few minutes she was looking in the door window. So cute. She is so sweet.

 

[RaZ]

Came home from work around 1:00 AM. Went out to close the coop door. Find a big opossum curled up, "dead" outside the run. Bella, (the good dog) sniffed him and walked away. I went into the run and coop to close up everything, count beaks, check food and water. That took a few minutes and when I left the run, the opossum was still there.

So I put my hand on the carcass to feel for a heartbeat or a breath. Nothing. Just a cold, damp body. Even Bella wasn't interested in the corpse.

Came into the house to fill the water fount. Took it out to the coop and that opossum was gone. Talk about playing 'possum. So for sure I have these guys around. The 2 little ones last week and this big guy tonight. I'm going to have to set the game camera to video mode and try to find out how they are breaching the run. I think I'm going to need a hot wire around the perimeter. So far, these intruders do not seem to be causing problems but I think an increase in security is needed.

 

[RaZ]

https://blog.humanesociety.org/2019...Cy0oorqOMqUlBiDb_ecj5nD97uXMduNuFnOFb4bcSCVL4

I'm not a fan of HSUS but this is good news.

 

[Folly's place]

Excellent!

 

[chickflick]

It's been nice mild weather. Chickens are sure enjoying it! And the rescue chicken is blending in nicely. The flock is leaving her alone while free ranging.
I suppose everyone is out getting chores done. And getting ready for Thanksgiving.
Enjoy the day!

 

[RaZ]

My hens are enjoying the mild weather too. The sapphire gems are laying every day. Took them long enough to start but they are making up for it with jumbo eggs. The older birds show no sign of a moult. They are over 1 1/2 yo now. I hope they either get on with it now before real cold sets in or wait until after winter.

There has been steady traffic of hunters going in to the state land bordering my land. So far I haven't had the trespassers like the past few years. Maybe those 50 "no trespassing" signs are working. I haven't seen anyone bring out a deer. Probably due to so may cityots in the area. The only shots I've heard are from the lake where the local guys are hunting waterfowl. They use airboats to get to the shallows. So if you don't see them you sure can hear them. I'll be glad when hunting season is over and the cityots go home.