Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Frankiegirl]

My partial run cover has three panels, opaque on the sides and clear up the middle. It allows in just enough light, while still providing shade. I would think that all clear panels would produce something like a greenhouse effect, concentrating heat underneath.
Shade is really important in the summertime for birds, as they can easily overheat in the sun or in a hot coop. I have a 50% shade cloth that I put over about half of the uncovered part of the run in the summertime.

I completely agree! My thought was to possibly cut them to keep the snow from drifting and part way up the run to keep the wind from whipping through in the winter. I had the plastic stapled up this year which did the trick for my first go at it. I would love to see your coop. All of these great ideas are fun to see.

 

[bigmrg74]

Big day today. Got the hay loft all swept up and ready to go for hay soon. Hopefully we have some hay coming soon as I think that we have about a hundred bales left upstairs of grass hay, and there's another stack of Alfalfa hay in the back aisle as well. We're ok for now, but kinda getting nervous about the stack. After that, ran back into AA to check out the new space that our studio is moving to. Covid has been kinda rough on the Massage industry. A whole lot more cleaning has been done since July when we came back, and thankfully, a lot of our clients now have been vaccinated. Still, Rent was becoming an issue at the old space, and should be easier to cover now at the newer, but smaller space. Did the walk through with the owners and gave my input on a few things, as space is going to be bit of a premium at this location, and I can already see myself lugging the dirty sheet bags out to the bin by going down a flight of stairs, out across the parking lot, and then to the bin, instead of our current set up that is just out the back door and I can practically toss a bag into the bin from the doorway, it just works better if I take two steps or so to actually place them in. can knock the bin over if there's not already a couple of bags in it already.

 

[Frankiegirl]

@Sally PB how are the chicks? Would love to see updates. Mine are getting huge. Just weighed them last night since they are 4 weeks old. Incredible how much they change

 

[Sally PB]

Butterscotch’s eye swelling is going down and her inflammation looks to be improving. It is open now. Looks like maybe she was pecked by another bird, but she looks to be on the mend.

Pictures?

I really enjoy reading/seeing the injury follow up reports when it's good news.

 

[Sally PB]

I will try to get more pictures of my chicks today. I'm working on getting them out of the brooder into an attached playpen that I've rigged up.

They will eat off my hand, but aren't keen on being picked up. I guess I'm still a Big Scary Thing to them.

 

[Sally PB]

Re: Roof on the run. I took the tarps off, and am very happy with how much light there is in there now. They have areas of shade at all times, so I'm glad about that too.

This fall, we will put some kind of clear roof up to keep the rain and snow out of there. The run is built on a metal framework, so it would have to be a LOT of snow to make me worry about snow load. I can clear it off with a push broom, no problem.

Next spring/summer, I can keep the greenhouse effect at bay by putting something over as much of the roof as needed. Instead of the heavy duty tarps I have now, I think any kind of light filtering cover will work, as long as I can secure it.

Should we ever get some real rain again (PLEASE!!!), I can put a tarp over the roof to keep the run dry.

 

[Frankiegirl]

Pictures?

I really enjoy reading/seeing the injury follow up reports when it's good news.

Thanks for the input and caring!! These are my original girls and whenever there is an issue, I’m told I always act like they’re going to die! I took these this morning.

 

[aart]

These are my original girls and whenever there is an issue, I’m told I always act like they’re going to die! I took these this morning.

It's easy to jump to the worst conclusions after doing much reading here.
Wyorp Rock and eggcessive are the best IMO.

 

[davidmpenning]

First post here in the Michigan thread...I don’t even think I knew this existed! Haha.

Does anyone have any experience with Delaware, Dorking, Buckeye, or Naked Neck? Pros/cons of them - especially toward egg and meat production?

And any leads to breeders for them around here? Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
No breeder information, but we've had Delawares and Buckeyes, and especially like the Buckeyes. Our Buckeyes have been from Cackle, within the last three years. nice big hens, good egg producers. Our Delawares were long ago from MMcM, not as large, not thrilled with them at the time.
Mary