Michigan

[chickflick]

Good Luck! I hope all goes well. When a neighbor complained about my chickens and I went to the twp, the guy didn't even know what I was talking about when I brought up the RTF act! Educate yourself. Just becuz they work there, doesn't mean they know all the rules. And...

 

[Opa]

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I'm 100 miles and 2 hours away from Richland but you're always welcome.

 

[iluvcks]

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Good luck and

 

[KellyBellyKeeper]

So this is what I just emailed:

Dear Mr. B,

Thanks again for this information. I am glad to be able to engage in open communication with the township board and for all your feedback. With that in mind I am hoping to continue the discussion. As you know, there is a great deal of concern about the environmental and health impact of agribusiness. Due to these concerns, many are turning to farmers' markets, organic produce, and sustainable/local farms to fill their pantries and fridges. You may also be familiar with the concept of urban homesteading and returning to the traditions of self-sufficiency. If not, I recommend this website as a great introduction
http://urbanhomestead.org/urban-homestead-definition.

I know that Richland supports some of these ideals because I visited the wonderful Farmers' Market last year when we were preparing to move here and saw that while the majority of products were from local farms, some were produced from home gardens.

My specific interest in in keeping a small flock (3-4) in a predator-proof coop to feed my family and sell at the market in the summer. And of course to use the droppings to fertilize my garden and lawn, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals. Since hens do not require a rooster to lay eggs there will be no noise to disturb the neighbors. My little chihuahua is another matter! And I am certain these will serve as wonderful pets to my daughter and an education regarding the fact the food doesn't really come from Hardings. I am also wondering if you are familiar with the Michigan Right to Farm Act. My understanding of this act is that it guarantees the right of any Michigander to have a "farm" (they don't define what constitutes a farm sizewise) as long as they have an intent to sell what they produce and comply with the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture's Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices. My understanding is that the Michigan Supreme Court has affirmed as recently as 2006 that this act overrides any city or township ordinances.

With all that said, I am not trying to make your job harder. I know it is difficult and probably (mostly) thankless. And I do very much appreciate your prompt responses to my previous questions. I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Sincerely,
Kelly D

Hopefully he finds that politely persuasive. I will keep you guys informed as I am not ready to give up on my chicken dreams just yet. I need something to keep my mind and body active while I am not working and I need some cute creatures to eat all the weeds in my backyard.

 

[Opa]

Well thought out letter. It should at the very least open avenues of discussion.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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Ellen, I am so sorry to hear that.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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Evidently you haven't looked at the weather they've had in Tennessee and Kentucky. Lots nastier than here. Ask the folks in Nashville.

Oh yeah...I'm keeping up on the events going on down there.

It's so sad.

But I'll still go home. It seems that here in Michigan, there's getting to be more bad weather days/weeks/months than good. I think I'm just tired of being cooped up in the house so much. If it's not snowing here, it's raining...if not raining, then the darn wind makes it impossible to do anything outdoors.

Can I join you? Seems like the older I get the worse the weather bothers me and I am not even "old" yet.

 

[YakLady]

Ellen, I'm so sorry about your roo.

Maybekeeper, that was very well written-respectful yet firm. Good luck, and keep us posted!

We had some people show up this morning to look at our yaks. They are thinking about buying two or three baby yaks to raise with their sheep. They want the yaks to grow up with the sheep and think of the sheep as their family. Apparently, they have horrible issues with coyotes. They hired sharp shooters last year, and killed 20 coyotes. Even so, they lost at least 20 sheep to coyotes. They have donkeys, but the donkeys are too protective with the newborn lambs. They won't let the lambs' own mothers get near them. As a result, they've got 13 bottle lambs right now. My own sheep haven't produced offspring quickly enough for me to have lamb in the freezer this Fall/Winter. I asked if they would bring some out with them. They only charged me $35.00 per lamb, so I asked for 3. Soooooo.... when they came out today they brought me 3 three week old baby lambs. OMG!!!! These are the most adorable little things! Since they're bottle-fed, they follow us around like little puppies. I'm going to be feeding them bottles 3 times per day for a month or so. Lord help me when it's time to process them.

 

[CATRAY44]

Good evening, Everyone! Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's!

I have two 8 week old EE pullets that I need to re-home. They have been separated from my flock since I brought them home at 1 day old. They are living in a large dog kennel in my garage. I have since acquired a beautiful bird from John Blehm's stock and a little frizzle. I have decided it would be better to re-home the EE's than try to stretch my living space for them. If there is anyone in the Jackson or Hillsdale area interested, feel free to PM me.

 

[vicki2x2]

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Bottle babies are the best! I have had many bottle fed goats and helped with some bottle fed sheep and there is nothing sweeter. I would love a Yak too, but curious why these folks don't get some Livestock Guardian Dogs? Seems it would be easier, cheaper, etc. unless they just want Yaks, and that is good too, because those are some cool animals!!