Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[TheDandyLion]

But, I can buy a cute little coop for $300 that will hold 6 chickens, chickens for $4 each. I can have fresh eggs and make a little extra on the side.

Yes, I'm being sarcastic. On a serious note, I got my first egg since Christmas (the last time my SLW laid and started her molt)! I put eggs in storage, preparing for molt/winter, and I'm just about out. "So, ahem, girls, the days are getting longer, it's time to start thinking about those nests again."

 

[TheDandyLion]

We don't raise our own chickens, either for eggs or meat, because it's cheaper! It's never been less expensive, because of the economy of scale (feed, housing, etc) and because our birds have better less crowded and longer lives.

Well said.

I had someone tell me about all those free eggs I'm getting. Yeh, sure. Free. Coop, upkeep costs, feed, bedding, medication, getting up and going outside in all types of weather to care for them. Yep free eggs! But I get lots of help, under my feet, while I'm gardening, eating my bugs and fertilizer too.

 

[Chickin Fairy]

"So, ahem, girls, the days are getting longer, it's time to start thinking about those nests again."

For real! I have one standard size laying daily now and my bantam SLW has been consistent in laying this winter, but teeny tiny eggs. Let's go ladies (as I say this, we're in the middle of a white-out lake effect blizzard )

 

[Chickin Fairy]

But, I can buy a cute little coop for $300 that will hold 6 chickens, chickens for $4 each. I can have fresh eggs and make a little extra on the side.

My response to someone saying this is below. Someone called me out for being "discouraging," but most people agreed. The person asking to buy chickens lives in an uppity town where chickens aren't allowed, btw.

----------------------
Please do TONS of research before jumping into raising chickens, you will spend more on raising a small flock in your backyard than the cost of eggs (even now) at the store. Many people jump into buying birds and quickly become overwhelmed, leaving you exhausted and the birds neglected. Feel free to reach out to me, I have a small flock of my own and can help you on your journey and recommend some good resources.

Some things to consider:

1. Hens stop laying in the winter after their 2nd year of life. I have only gotten one egg every few days from my flock of 6
2. Hens don't lay when it is too hot out
3. Hens don't lay when they are broody
4. Hens don't lay when they are moulting in the fall
5. Most chicken coops you purchase claim they can hold more birds than they actually can
6. Predator proofing your coop and run is SO important. Research all predators we have (racoons, coyotes, hawks, snakes, opossums, weasel, dogs, etc.) and know how to keep your birds safe from all of them. Racoons, for example can get through a one-stage lock, but not a two stage lock.
7. 50% of chicks are roosters, even when you purchase them from TSC (which isn't your best place to get chicks, anyway), so if you end up with roosters and can't keep them, please have a plan for what you will do with them.

It IS a fun adventure and you can learn so much from having a flock of chickens but many people don't realize what that actually entails.

 

[Folly's place]

A backyard flock in Oakland county has AI, and I saw that some people there are sick. UGH!!!
Mary

 

[Chickin Fairy]

A backyard flock in Oakland county has AI, and I saw that some people there are sick. UGH!!!
Mary

People?!

 

[Chickin Fairy]

A backyard flock in Oakland county has AI, and I saw that some people there are sick. UGH!!!
Mary

2 people have flu like symptoms, 11 are being monitored. The 2 are being tested for Influenza A, which is how HPAI would show up, I guess.

 

[TheDandyLion]

3. Hens don't lay when they are broody

Or, apparently, after being broody. One of my RIRs was broody in June, or was it July , I don't think she's laid an egg since. Broody, then a very slow molt, then winter. She's still very pale in the comb, so perhaps this spring. I've threatened her, that if she starts laying and goes broody again, its chicken chucking (over the fence) time for her. Jokes of course.

 

[Chickin Fairy]

Or, apparently, after being broody. One of my RIRs was broody in June, or was it July , I don't think she's laid an egg since. Broody, then a very slow molt, then winter. She's still very pale in the comb, so perhaps this spring. I've threatened her, that if she starts laying and goes broody again, its chicken chucking (over the fence) time for her. Jokes of course.

You have ONE job!

 

[aart]

as I say this, we're in the middle of a white-out lake effect blizzard

Actually today's snowglobe is coming up from the south.