Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Sally PB]

I’ll meet you at the restaurant!!! That sounds yummy. Who’s in??

ME!

 

[1muttsfan]

It sounds like great fun.

 

[Dreamzchaser]

I don't know why....didn't ask.
Answer probably would be, because Corporate Said So.


For 12 total?
Math works for space.... but you'll have to integrate,
which means making separate sections in both coop and run.
Risks bringing pests and/or disease in.
Sure you want to deal with that?

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

I am worry about the math. Of course more chickens getting sick is not fun. I did saw them and like I said, they look better than my girls. I would have to check them under the butt, and wings and chest for mites. Also nostrils and all that good stuff on the list. I am just playing with the thought and appreciate your input so very much. Everyone here is superb!
The integrating part scares me a bit. It was not that difficult with the sebrights. They are small yet very agil, fast and fly very high. So they stayed in the roosting area until the others realized they could fly there too. Then as they got a bit bigger, the steps and then ramp to ease on the feet. The sebrights are the only ones still occasiopnally fly down in the morning because they all want to eat, drink and be outside. Other than that, they all use the ramp up and down all day long. They do not fight for 4 nesting boxes. They go to the next available box and so far no problem. They use all 4 of them depending on the time they need to lay. if they schedule their time right, they can use the same ones in the corners,lol I guess I would need to add nesting boxes? I am only asking because I will need to re-configurate the inside of teh coop besides teh integration part. I love the information and I am printing it because it is pure gold. Thanks you Aart!

 

[Dreamzchaser]

You girls are so much fun. All of a suden you guys are going to eat Puertorrican food? I always thought that mainly americans prefeder Mexican food. Our food is not spicy at all unless you ask. If you would like to count me in, message me to see when can we all meet. It would be amazing!
OMG OMG OMG... Just the thought of all of us talking chiken will be hilarious and for sure everyone will be eyes on us!


Well, I forgot to mention that I am up since 2am. Hub left the house around 1:58am to work and then I heard this bang noise, so here I come out with my gun and it was him. He banged the garage door trying to make it straight. He paid the price of a lazy person. He took the dog crate to the garage and put it next to his truck. Lazy bumm instead of moving it in the morning, he pushed it with his SUV and drove out and them hit to close the garage door. Wrong! The crate was under it so it got all ruined. He had to leave and I stayed up because half of the door was up. All teh places about garage doors were closed until Monday. So, I told him that he needed to fork out money for wood boards to close it up so animals do not come inside. I am scared of snakes. But he said he will pay for a new door ok and had me holding teh door with a stick while he cut the side cables. Then he took over and let it down. Of course it crashed down. So Monday I need to get on the phone to get someone to do a new double door. At least he will pay for it all. The mark of the crate is still at the bottom edge,lol Therefore, I am hitting the sack shortly. I will come and check tomorrow after church for more advise and more learning and fun. I love you all! I really do, and is not a joke nor a prank. You guys are my lifeline, so I depend on you so I do not flatline,lol (old medical joke)

~Hugs~and~Kisses~

 

[1muttsfan]

I like Puerto Rican food quite well, but it is pretty tough to get up here. Along with Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, and everything else apart from things like Pasties and Poutine. The Meijer store up in the Soo has fresh Sushi, which is heavenly.

 

[Dreamzchaser]

I like Puerto Rican food quite well, but it is pretty tough to get up here. Along with Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, and everything else apart from things like Pasties and Poutine. The Meijer store up in the Soo has fresh Sushi, which is heavenly.

I think it is because mainly Puertorricans do not like such a cold climate. They are in NY but not in the main parts unless the Army base. They have kept themselves to the city area which is what people think is NY, but NY is pretty big.

Maybe I go up and start a food truck,lol (not really)

 

[riss]

Finally got my dad to make some headway with me on the bottom on tree house. Got the doorframe on and put the wall on outside

 

[snowflake]

looking good Riss

 

[Sally PB]

Hey, @snowflake, @riss, @aart, anyone else want to get together in the GR area? Lunch out, talk chickens, laugh?

I don't think I've ever had any Puerto Rican food. I'm not big on spicy hot, so I'm fine with it being mild. I just have to find stuff that's gluten free.

 

[Sally PB]

Isn't this pretty? Inky Cap Mushroom.