Michigan

[Ethan MI]

Hi Bluegrass, any problems with keeping ducks and chickens together. Any disease issues I should know about? I have 4 ducks, and plan on picking up 4 Cochin chickens on Friday.
Thanks,
Ethan
Grand Rapids, MI

 

[Steve]

Newbie here.

Never raised chickens before. I grew up on a large farm with cattle and hogs, but never a chicken.

I live in Charlotte (Eaton County) and have a 30 acre (hobby) farm. I rotate corn and soys on it.

Planning on building a coop soon and getting some chickens for eggs.

 

[chickflick]

Welcome Steve!! I live in Davison, outside of Flint. I use to live in Lansing, know Charlotte area well. How many chickens are you planning on? Make sure your coop is larger than first planned!! You'll want more chickens later!! Good luck!

 

[Steve]

Hi chickflick, I was planning on around 12. Maybe more than I need...I dunno yet for sure.

In my first post I said I was building a 5x8 (when it warms up) but as someone pointed out that may not be gig enough, so....I'll probably go bigger for future expansion if I see the need to.

Another poster said to mix up the breeds instead of getting all one breed which makes good sense.

I am learning already in my short time here.

 

[chickflick]

Yeah, this forum is good...lots of info and lots of good people. When you get to building, come back on and ask for questions of what works best for people. I have a nice coop, but there are things I would do different now. Like.... don't put the pop door at floor level. Put it up a foot so you could open the door without the shavings being in the way!! If you go to the coop section of BYC, you'll find a lot of different coops, maybe you'll find one you'd like and go from there. Good luck and hope to see you on this forum from time to time.

 

[sawyer]

Welcome Steve:

30a with corn & soy, might be able to mix your own feed with a couple of other things. Price of corn is going up from what I hear, probably chix feed too.

Sawyer From Newaygo area, 40 mi n/of Grand Rapids...

 

[swampducks]

Hi there, I just joined the board today and as I can't figure out where to post my first "newbie" post I thought I'd find a Michigan thread, so here I am.

I'm in the northeast lower peninsula, half way between Alpena and Oscoda, and 16 miles west of Lake Huron. I've been up here for 7.5 years with my DH, (whom I shall now refer to as Hal), and my dog Rocket. Two years ago I adopted my other pup Luna and last spring (2007) I got my first ever poultry; 6 ducks. I still have 5 (we don't want to think about that blasted eagle if we can help it), 1 pekin drake whom Hal refers to as l'Orange, 1 Rouen drake, 2 Rouen gals and 1 runner duck whom my neighbor (and sometimes duck sitter has named Nixon though she's a girl.

This spring my plan is to get 3 more runners, a couple guineas, 3 muscovies and my first chickens: 10 meat birds, 10 Barred Rocks, and 10 Buff Orpingtons. I'd spent weeks reading up on chickens and at first wanted a breed bred specifically for northern climes but decided it might be better to stick with a local hatchery, get some regular, "ordinary" chicks and see if I even like chickens. I love my ducks so I can't see why I wouldn't like chickens. Hal has offered to build a chicken coop and a duck house (the ducks live in the garage at the moment) which will make my life even better.

So, hi there, and can anyone tell me when spring is arriving? The ducks miss their pond!!!

 

[Steve]

Hi swampducks. Beautiful country up there where you are at.

We have a cabin near Onaway, not too far from you I think.

I can't tell you when spring is coming, but it will get here...just not soon enough.

 

[runamuck]

hi everyone I'm Allie of Northernlights critters
I live in Northeastern northern michigan in a lil town called Hillman which is about 30 miles west of Alpena . I raise mostly ducks but have more then a few chickens too. We do 4h here and show at all the local fairs ( Alpena, P.I, montmorency and alcona ( some yrs) Our birds are shown APA other then fairs to and we did quite well ( best light hen duck with a Kacki Cambell lol) Swampduck it sounds to me like we are neighbors Nice to have someone close!
Nice to meet everyone
Allie

 

[swampducks]

Quote:
It sure is pretty, and peaceful. I've not been to Onaway, been past it on the way up to the UP, one of these days, you never know.