Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[teeville5]

Do skunks pose any threat to chickens?

Yes, they can. I lost a bantam d'uccle hen to one last year. Plus, like Raz said, they love eggs.

Nova, I seriously cannot believe someone is stealing all your produce like that. I would be beyond ticked. Can you put any fencing around it as a deterrent?

Vj, good for you! It was a great day for a run, too.

Not too much exciting here today. The chickens got to spend the day picking through the wet grass for bugs and worms. I noticed in the garden that a few of my cucumbers growing near the fence have been half eaten. I do believe a few chickens are helping themselves to some treats. I need to get out there to pick them before the chickens are out and about for the day or they'll eat them all up before I get them.

 

[Opa]

Back in the late 60's I was a drill sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood. Many of the troops I trained ultimately went to Viet Nam. Each time I would hear of a casualty I would wonder if it was one of my troops. The sadness brought on by hearing of a loss always felt personal. Now 40+ years later when I hear or read about a soldier's death the same sense of personal loss returns. Perhaps because even though they are someone we've never met, they are still one of "our boys".

General Patton once said "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." While I agree we should give thanks for such men, I still mourn and feel we are less because of their loss

 

[ChicwannaB]

off to hit the hay.
been talking to tdhenson and going to meet him Monday, he's buying 5 of my Dominiques.
g'night all...GOD BLESS

 

[chicken grandma]

Certainly not a nerd. This drake has raised 3 groups of little ones. He is the Uber-dad of ducks. He keeps flying from the backyard to the front, looking for the girls.

I did not know that a male duck would raise young ones! RaZ why do you think he did not leave with his girls? Can he fly?

 

[chicken grandma]

Good evening all! Today was awesomely successful. I PR'd(personal record) in my 5k run with a time of 28:57! My previous best time was 31:02. It was so beautiful and cool this morning and running along the bluff in South Haven made me want to lift my hands in praise at God's beauty while I ran.

I've been dealing with a pulled outer hip muscle so now that the run is over my hip is loudly expressing it's anger at being worked today. Nothing a little ice, rest and flexeril can't handle! Our last scheduled race of the year is September 8th at the Paw Paw Grape run and that will complete my series and I will have earned my commemorative coin!

When I ran my last 5k, my time was 33 minutes so I admire your fast time!! Congratulations!

I do yoga and some people who have outer hip muscle trouble have certain stretches that they do. I think you could look it up online. Hope that helps you!

Swampducks! Congratulations on your egg!

I mean your chicken's egg!

 

[chicken grandma]

BTW....our soldier came home to us today to Selfridge AFB in a flag-covered coffin. It was an honor to receive him and he was given an honor guard to see him off to the funeral home. Military lined both sides of the street as we left Selfridge and 10 police cars from State, Sheriff, County and City tagged teamed it all the way down Hall Road to the funeral home on 22 Mile and Schoenherr...no other cars were allowed on the road. They zoomed by us and blocked every interesection and turn around and saluted the hearse as we passed. I have never seen Hall Road without traffic in my lifetime. I really think my nephew was looking down from heaven with that little smile and going "cool."

Oh this brings tears to my eyes. What a loss for your family and our state and our country, I am so sorry. Thank goodness your nephew is being treated with the respect he deserves. I am sure he is looking on with pride and I hope your family can adjust to the loss until you see him again.

 

[Ferrret]

Well, I guess I may have to remove some skunks if there's a chance they'll go after my bantams. I think I got lucky with removing the last one, he/she didn't spray at all, was more curious than scared.
The coop door is fairly heavy, I don't suspect a wee skunk could pry it open, but a grown skunk might be able to. I don't leave eggs in the coop all night, no roosters or hatching going on here, but the critters don't know that.

 

[Amy PT]

Gracious! Thank you for all of the replies (here and in a personal message) about the possible bantam cochin picture. It's so nice that you'd take a minute to pass on what you know.

Glambka: I was thinking about your family, and the other families saying goodbye to a loved one today. That procession was a big deal. I can't imagine Hall Road w/ no lights. What a sign of respect.

The woman who took our young rooster had a photo posted on facebook of her little girl hugging our Penny. It made my heart happy to see that he's still getting attentin from gentle and sweet hands.

 

[NovaAman]

The problem with my produce is the only place I have to grow it is so close to the road that it is easy to pull up late and get out of the car with s bag and a flash light... I may have found some one to take down several of the necessary trees... Then I would have plenty of sun in my back yard next year. Rights don't come down,I will have to consider different options.., green house and sun lights... Rather have natural light, but this is just crazy this year. Last year we did have melons taken, but that didn't bug me so much, we could never have eaten them all. Heck, I would not mind if they would have just taken a few toms, but to take all of the ripe ones...

 

[Mom 2em All]

Nova- are you sure its not wildlife? Deer, or something that is eating your veggies?