Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[LadyGuinevere]

Welcome @LadyGuinevere if you cut up foods like cantaloupe and watermelon, you can give them to your birds. 7 RIRs will get big, what are the dimensions of your coop and your run? Do you plan out letting them free range at all? Aww, they're cute I remember that age well! We actually had a discussion a few pages back on heating/insulating the coop and a lot of good discussion there. I have 6 barnyard mix hens and one mini rooster. You don't need a rooster and they aren't for everyone, but he really has brought a lot of good to my tiny flock.

Feel free to ask any questions! I had a ton when I first started out, and even now I still have some. This group has been very helpful!

I cut up the melon in circles and placed the one end in the tent with them. At first, they treated the new object like it was an alien invasion. When I woke up this morning, it was mostly gone aside from the rind. Should I leave that in there for them? The tent is a 9x9 ... I have about 1.5 feet to move around it. They will be going outside in about a week. I sit and end up with three of them on my lap LOL. I will be leaving the window open just a bit tonight. Get them used to breeze and atmosphere. Right now, they are 6 weeks today.

 

[Chickin Fairy]

I cut up the melon in circles and placed the one end in the tent with them. At first, they treated the new object like it was an alien invasion. When I woke up this morning, it was mostly gone aside from the rind. Should I leave that in there for them? The tent is a 9x9 ... I have about 1.5 feet to move around it. They will be going outside in about a week. I sit and end up with three of them on my lap LOL. I will be leaving the window open just a bit tonight. Get them used to breeze and atmosphere. Right now, they are 6 weeks today.

You can remove the rind, they won't eat it. You can also do the same thing with gourds and pumpkins! I throw all my food scraps in to my girls in one end of their run and it breaks down into compost over time.
They're 2 years old now, tho.

 

[1muttsfan]

I think for birds as young as yours you should probably offer them treats, but limit the amount so that they're mostly eating their regular grower diet. Feeding them too much snacky food can cause diet imbalances and affect the way they grow.

 

[LadyGuinevere]

Good morning!! It's getting cold and interesting outside. The coop should be good to go in about 4 days times. In the meantime, I've been leaving the window a bit open and letting the sun wake them.

They DEVOURED the cantelope LOL ... I took the rind out. How often should fresh veggies and fruits be provided?

 

[Sammster]

Oh my, I remember that winter VERY well!

Omgosh, me, too! It was crazy!

 

[Sammster]

I think our doctor is a true find, as that is not his way. He does not "push pills," and is whole heartedly behind our decision to NOT be on any pills. (Hubby is on one that he will need for the rest of his life. That's the exception.)

He's an DO, not an MD. I don't know if that is what makes the difference, or not.

It does. DOs learn traditional medicine along with some naturopathy. Some doctors are better at blending it. Than others. You're lucky you have a good one, Sally

 

[Sammster]

OMG! Where have I miss so much? Hope everyone is well. I have been battling with health issues fiercelessly. 3 times to the ER and still can't get what lowers my magnesium and make me vomiting blood but still alive.
I miss you all.

Big, big hugs, Dreamz. Feel better, soon!

 

[Folly's place]

The winter of '78, seemed like old times growing up in Wisconsin!
Actual snow! I don't miss it at all though. We were a lot younger then...
Mary

 

[aart]

How often should fresh veggies and fruits be provided?

IMO, maybe once a week, and not a lot of volume.
Especially when they are young and growing.
It's like letting your kids eat cookies and chips all day so they don't get enough nutrition...it will make them happy but is not good for them.
There's a rule of thumb often cited here, treats(anything other than a good chicken ration) should be less than 10% of their overall diet.

 

[TOMTE]

I can't believe I haven't posted in this thread yet. Hi everyone