Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[chickflick]

I AGREE!

 

[saysfaa]

I feel bad for the tomatoes and eggplants but otherwise love the temperature drop. I would much, much, much rather have 40 than 90.

 

[Folly's place]

Where is everyone? It's been a week, what's happening out here?
The ten TSC chicks I bought recently are doing great, growing, and all still might be pullets.
I've been taking pictures of small volunteer tree seedlings, trying to ID them, and move some to appropriate locations if possible. So far I'm just confused...
If I can figure out how to download pictures from my phone, I'll post some here. Definitely I'm not a tecky!
Mary

 

[fuzzi]

Where is everyone? It's been a week, what's happening out here?
The ten TSC chicks I bought recently are doing great, growing, and all still might be pullets.
I've been taking pictures of small volunteer tree seedlings, trying to ID them, and move some to appropriate locations if possible. So far I'm just confused...
If I can figure out how to download pictures from my phone, I'll post some here. Definitely I'm not a tecky!
Mary

I use an app, iNaturalist, which is free and helpful. It's assisted me in identifying a lot of plants and animals (insects).

 

[Sally PB]

Lots of garden work here! Yesterday I moved all my starts out of the green house to start hardening them off. They're in dog crates, covered with sheets, sitting out in the garden. The sheets keep them protected from the harsh sunlight and wind. They had a few hours uncovered yesterday, and they'll have a few more today.

Planting day is most likely June 1st.

 

[Sally PB]

@fuzzi, I saw a Rainbow Scarab in my garden yesterday. I'd never seen one before, so I had to look it up.

Very pretty, and it's a dung beetle, so it's helpful in the garden.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

We've been busy here. Got the new, bigger run built. Hubby is working on getting some best boxes built from a crate he got from work. I tried to help. We celebrated mother's Day and a birthday Saturday. Getting the garden ready for the few tomato plants (only 8 this year ) and maybe a few beans and a couple of squash plants. Going much smaller this year.
Just wondering if I should paint the nest boxes or just leave them plain wood?

 

[Folly's place]

No paint! It will chip off, never good. Maybe stain or just leave them as they are.
Birds won't want a light color, they prefer dark corners for egg laying/ nest building. That rules out white wash also.
Nice nest box!
Mary

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Thanks! I was going to use a grey primer I have on hand but if it saves me work and isn't needed... I'm all for not painting it I still have to pace myself and not over do things.

 

[Folly's place]

Unless the top is very slanted, your birds will land and poop on it daily. Must be very slanted to discourage this behavior. Ask me how I know this...
Maybe water based polyurethane on the top? Mine is all bare wood, messed on often (that too flat roof!) and aside from being messy, isn't rotting at all in the dry coop environment.
M ary