Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

Are you guys talking about a caterpillar looking with hairs all over? Got those everywhere. Wonder if the girls are eating those? Are the safe for them? They hang out by my kitchen and there are about 3 big oak trees there. Awkward that did not think much about that and the coop and run will be treeless.

yes step on them if you can

 

[Sally PB]

I just looked it up. Orioles and Blue Jays will eat the caterpillars. There were a couple other birds, but not sure they live around here.

Googling chickens eating gypsy moth caterpillars got mixed results. I don't think mine will. I think they avoid the hairy-spiny-furry stuff.

 

[Dreamzchaser]

yes step on them if you can

No yuck!

 

[Sally PB]

No yuck!

You don't have to do it barefoot. You can wear shoes!

 

[Frankiegirl]

Happy chilly morning, everyone!
It is chilly down here today. It is 53. Woke up at 520 and went to get girls out at 6am and as they went out to eat and run, I went to clean the poop board. Found 2 soft shell eggs one on the floor, who it was from Rachel because she sleeps in the edge of the roost. It fell down and it was all smashed in her nightly poop. Garbage bin with it.
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Then on the poop board there was another soft shell egg from Monica, because she sleeps right next to Rachel. Another garbage bin item.
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Some of their poop is kind of runny, like too much liquid as you can see in the back.


Anyways, come out and Princess Phoebe is laying on top of the kiddy pool that I had upside down. Had to take a snap out of that one.
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Rachel spent since 743am until 10am laying on the nest over the ceramic egg but there is no egg.
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They all go in each of the boxes and lay for a bit and then come out and jump into the next. Like Goldilocks trying everything,
Any advise? Should I be doing something different or is it just until they adjust? I know they have all kinds of feed available, grit and OS with water inside the coop and outside they have water and wet feed. All the feed now is mixed because they eat out of whatever.

@Dreamzchaser your coop and nest boxes are so wonderful!!! You created a very nice space for them. It looks awesome and you should be proud of your hard work.

 

[Dreamzchaser]

@Dreamzchaser your coop and nest boxes are so wonderful!!! You created a very nice space for them. It looks awesome and you should be proud of your hard work.

Oh! Thank you Michelle. I was just wondering since I am short on funds to finish the run, I am opening the main door which is right by the nests and all the light comes through there. But I appreciate your perspective and I know it has been a lot of work and arguments for it but they chickens really do not care, I am the perfectionist. Thank you so much. Between you and everyone here give me strength to keep improving.

 

[snowflake]

I just looked it up. Orioles and Blue Jays will eat the caterpillars. There were a couple other birds, but not sure they live around here.

Googling chickens eating gypsy moth caterpillars got mixed results. I don't think mine will. I think they avoid the hairy-spiny-furry stuff.

that is good to know, I have both Blue Jays and Orioles

 

[Frankiegirl]

Second day the littles are in the big girl coop! They escaped the enclosure a couple of times but not for long and the bigs weren’t too bad on them. I go out every 30 minutes or so to check in them. It’s seem the big girls are more bothered than the littles.
So glad I’m getting them acquainted sooner rather than later. How long do I keep them segregated? They are good for the next several weeks and I might give them an overnight in the coop, segregates of course, next week.

Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler temps. it rained for a hot minute this morning. Just enough to keep the ground moist. It was much needed.

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Good evening everyone!
I checked this morning to make sure these ladies are not sick in their crop and they were all empty, YAY!
I organized a little inside their coop, all cleaned, very misty outside and it may rain but they are outside. Hub just came to tell me that Phoebe had flown outside the orange thing and was by the kitchen door looking for me. She is so darn smart is not even funny. I am hoping to finish caulking the inside of the coop and was thinking of maybe try to figure out a better poop board. I love the ones you have but my woodworking Hub did it differently and poop on the ends fall outside and behind the walls which makes it difficult for me to clean. He is back at my house since quit his job and yesterday found one at Brunette foods in New Era. So with that now, I guess he will be around more often until he finds a place to live next. Adulthood is so difficult!!!

I am also thinking of at least put the hardware cloth that I have and begin putting it around until it is finished. I know that I am to dig and put 2ft down but can I make it outwards and place stones over them? I am afraid of digging and break a gas line or water line. I for sure know that if I get inspected by the county, all needs to come out because after the coop was finished and ladies were moved, the head of the water well is right there by the coop. Not that I use that water for much but laundry, shower, toilets and cleaning. I cook and drink bottled water still.

Anyways, I keep forward with the plans and pray for the best. I love you all so much. I am not much around but I honestly feel loved here. Might not be the real truth but you all make me feel like you do.

Day before yesterday, after all the strong winds, the black thing that goes on the roof, ripped out. So had to take mortgage money and get the corrugated aluminum and up it went.

Why they just want to hang out by the stairs? It is always fool of poop.


Hopefully, I learn how to use those blue barrels to collect rain and connect for water. I know I will need a heat pump as well for winter months.


Hub said he was not going to cut that extra on either side. I guess it will stay then because I am not doing it either.


They are not by the stairs because they follow me everywhere I go. So they are right next to me here, lol



They are waiting right across from me for treats, so selfish ladies!


Then I began this and finished today. Tomorrow need to get more hardware to cover with what I have left of hardware cloth. On the very top, I used chicken wire to keep the girls in and once I buy hardware cloth, I will go over this. Maybe I will put that horrible orange crap on top to deter flying predators during the day. I also need to make shades in the run. It has nothing, lol Dummy me was not thinking clearly, well, not that I ever do, lol

ok, I hope I did not drive you crazy with all of this. Love ya all!

~Hugs~and~Kisses~

 

[RaZ]

Hello Friends. It seems like I've been away a year but it's only been a few days. Nice to see so much activity on this thread.

The gypsy moths have devastated my property. I don't have a single green leaf on any tree. Even the pines and spruces have been defoliated. Now those damn moths are eating anything, even weeds like chicory and other broad-leaf weeds. I have never seen such an insect feeding frenzy. And this drought is causing further stress.

My chickens and ducks don't seem to be too bothered. They go about their daily routine as normal. They just can't find worms or other soil bugs like they should. It's just too darn dry for soil dwellers to be anywhere near the surface. Mostly they are eating bagged food. You know it's bad when the feed bill hasn't dropped at all since winter (like it should).

I have a friend coming up tomorrow to help me get ready for a garage sale over the holiday weekend. I hope I can get rid of this stuff from my mom's estate. It is either sell the stuff or rent a dumpster. The dumpster would be easier.