Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[riss]

It was super hot today. Was 82 degrees and I spent all of it outside. Split and stacked wood, also burned some of it since we have tons of it, painted the fence, cut up some dead trees, started the garden. Was a super productive day

 

[riss]

I also noticed I leave the coop door open for my ducks outside but they never really seem to be fond of going out of their coop. Some days they will be but they hang out in front of it. Fine by me since I don't got to chase them back in at night

 

[RaZ]

What plant is the pet grass?

I have no idea. But the cats started to eat it as soon as I set it down. The dog ate some after the kitties left.
Chickens ate some when I put the flats outside to water.

 

[RaZ]

I'm outside working and splitting wood and stacking them. This one log had a whole colony of flying ants living in it and I was just covered in them crawling on me it was disgusting.

I never ran faster in my life

I love to find those. I'll take the split log to the chicken run and the birds go crazy for the snacks.

 

[riss]

I love to find those. I'll take the split log to the chicken run and the birds go crazy for the snacks.

Scared me to death at first. I thought they were wasps or something but it was just a queen or something. She was much bigger than the rest of them

 

[RaZ]

I was so tired yesterday that I didn't bother to collect eggs. This is what I came home to today. 20 eggs in the photo and another 12 in a second nest.

 

[1muttsfan]

Sally, it really depend on your goals. If you want friendly chickens, then do not hatch from unfriendly birds. I do think it is a mistake to hatch undersized eggs, as that over time can be an issue with production, unless you like the smaller eggs. And some breeds produce smaller eggs - if you haven't visited the Sage Hen Farm site, you might enjoy it.

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

You could also get some outside eggs, which would increase the genetic diversity in your flock.

I definitely prioritize production, and prefer birds that are feed efficient. And large to XL eggs, as the Arkansas Blues should produce.

 

[riss]

I was so tired yesterday that I didn't bother to collect eggs. This is what I came home to today. 20 eggs in the photo and another 12 in a second nest.

Oh my! How many chickens you have?

 

[RaZ]

Scared me to death at first. I thought they were wasps or something but it was just a queen or something. She was much bigger than the rest of them

Keep in mind that all of those creepy crawlers are food for your chickens.

This evening, I moved a couple of straw bales and found blue spotted salamanders underneath. The chickens would have scarfed them up in a New York Minute but I was lucky that the birds weren't near. I picked up those salamanders and move them to a safe spot.

My flock has learned that when I rake or scoop up dirt that lots of edibles are uncovered. From worms to salamanders to toads to snakes or even mouse or chipmunk nests will result in something good to eat. The poultry will follow me any time I have a rake in hand or fire up the tractor.

 

[RaZ]

Oh my! How many chickens you have?

16