Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

you can sell the eggs? Well, maybe because you have a big farm.

Of course!
No 'big farm' here.
I keep about a dozen layers and sell to a few friends.

 

[Sally PB]

Arkansas Blues hatching eggs

@1muttsfan, if I were set up to hatch eggs, I could have been talked into that. A blue chicken laying blue eggs might have gotten me away from my fixation on Blue Australorps.

@snowflake, I'm going to Starbard Farms this morning. It's doubtful that they will get blue aussies, but you never know. I also want to check out their feed options and dog food line too. I like the people at TSC, but I'm always happy to support small businesses. I've gotten seed potatoes from Starbard for several years now.

 

[riss]

Anyone know when the best time is to transition ducklings to living outside. It's starting to get to the 60's here but going to go back down to the 40's sometime in the next week. They are a little over 2 weeks old and I got a mix of Pekins and Khaki Campbells. Right now they are living in the coop we built in the garage since they got too big for their brooder.

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Good morning!
Sun is bright, another warm day before rain and maybe a mix rain/snow Monday 15th.
I am so happy I found this place. I am encouraged to come and see my peeps here.
I have a questions about compost: Is it better a plastic bin bought from a store or to build a stationary square in the back of the property? This picture is to my left as I am standing by back door. to the left on that pole and covered rose tree is the water well.
And this is to my right from same location. See the moles holes? the septic tank is said to be in that area.

Why are the chicks so messy? I just put new clean food and they spilled it all over the wooden chips floor.
And yes, chicken coop is not finished, ARGH!


Any ideas?

 

[1muttsfan]

You have plenty of time - your littles are not going to be able to go outside permanently for another several weeks. For short trips out in the warm sun, just put that on a grassy area and move it around as needed.

I think you said that was going to be for chick use, and you were going to make/buy a regular coop for once they got bigger?

 

[Dreamzchaser]

You have plenty of time - your littles are not going to be able to go outside permanently for another several weeks. For short trips out in the warm sun, just put that on a grassy area and move it around as needed.

I think you said that was going to be for chick use, and you were going to make/buy a regular coop for once they got bigger?

Is this for me or for Riss? If for me, that is the coop I bought and very disappointed for it to be so tiny. I have to see how I will build from that. Probably towards to other side where there is no opening door, I think. I have to re-asses it because it is not convincing. States is for up to 6 hens but no way I am putting 6 hens in that little place. I will leave them in the guest room for that matter, lol
On my way to see how in the world I get on a list for the stupid vaccine. I also have a place to check out. See you gals later.

 

[Folly's place]

@Dreamzchaser , You can just pile stuff, no bin needed. Or, four free pallets, wired together making a square, or three pallets with an open front. Or five to seven pallets, two attached bins, with or without the fourth sides. Wire them together, and fill, and toss, or just fill and wait. Only pay for the wire.
Use the whole roofed space as the coop! Plywood or sheet plastic on three sides, the south side left open, gives the birds the space they need until you build a 'real coop'.
Get a garden shed and modify it!
And hope you get vaccinated soon...
Mary

 

[Sally PB]

Is it better a plastic bin bought from a store or to build a stationary square in the back of the property

No, don't buy one of the bins. Do what Folly's Place said. If you have access to pallets, they work great. Otherwise, a pile works too, it's just not as neat. Chicken poop is FANTASTIC for compost. It needs to age a bit, ie, break down.

 

[Sally PB]

I got organic flock raiser at Starbard Farms cheaper than the non organic flock raiser at TSC. SCORE! 20% protein too. @snowflake, if you're interested, it's Kalmbach, and was $16 for 50 pounds.

 

[RaZ]

Dreamz, I think you would be better off using that store bought coop as a compost bin and starting over with a shed for the chickens. I'm not being mean or snarky. Six birds aren't going to fit well in that small coop.

Use it as a temporary coop when the chicks are big enough to go out (~7-8 weeks). That would give you time to get a real shed built. Menards, Loxes, and Home Depot all have a variety of sheds and you can get them built using their contractors. I think you and your birds will be happier with a secure structure.

It looks like you have a nice place.