Michigan

[KrisRose]

Huston's Happy Hens :

Hey Gang - It's Huston's NON PRODUCTIVE Happy Hens here - I have some SLW's that were born on 2/4 that are still not laying...can't find reliable info on WHEN they should begin....input from anyone with experience would be appreciated!

wow 7 months and not laying??? This is a mystery!! Mine are 5 and just started. What are you feeding and what is the protein level?​

 

[gallinamama]

Good morning everyone, Coffee is sure good this morning... cool and clear. I was up way too early this morning... I forgot something in a garbage bag.. and I just knew my hubby had put it in with the trash... so at 4:00 in the morning... I was out in my robe... and trudged the 300 ft to the road to look through the garbage... and low and behold...it was there right on top... who can sleep after that!! Don't know where my head had been these past weeks.. but I better shake it off...

 

[A2SciTeach]

I agree, Gallinamama, the coffee is excellent!

Another stunningly beautiful morning, we are really blessed to live in Michigan. You all can remind me I said this in a few months when I start complaining about the snow and sleet and freezing cold temps.

I hope everyone takes some time out today to just relax, seems like we get so busy we forget to do that. I've found that if I don't get something done, it's still waiting for me, strangely enough.

 

[sevenchickens]

I haven't had a chance to sit at my computer for more than a few seconds in the past few months! But wanted to stop in and say HELLO! Hope all has been well for y'all.

Has anyone else had a rough time with predators this year? Hawks, coons and something much larger. Actually, I don't think we've lost any to raccoons, but boy have we trapped a ton of them, the count is 11! It's awfully frustrating though.

 

[gallinamama]

Quote:
I agree with the weather... we are truely blessed in Michigan... A lot of family went south to live... and although they have beautiful weather in the winter.. the past few years haven't been so good for them... I think Maryland and Tenn. got more than we did last year...

What is really funny some friends of ours were so tired of Michigan weather they went to live in Maryland... Poor Domonic..!!! He had to shovel 27 feet of snow!!

Then they had so much rain and storms last year... I think he is ready to return to Michigan!!

I told him to stay put.. that bad weather follows him..

( I hope I didn't just jinks us)

I try and do a little work , have a coffee, sit down at the computer for a break and then email my daughters at work... then I am off for the day.... That is the only me tiime.. I get...

 

[vicki2x2]

Quote:
Not since I got my LGD's, haven't lost anything to predators since. Mind you, we have always had dogs, but they are not the same as livestock guardian dogs, they are awesome!

 

[19sarah90]

Good Morning, everyone! I'm not a coffee drinker, but I just finished off a glass of homemade sugar-free apple juice! YUM!

I hope the weather is as great today as it was yesterday. I could use another dose of cool Michigan summer.

My grandma is cooking dinner for me and my two best friends tonight. One of my friends has been gone for two years at college and just got back last week, and the other is leaving for college next week. So sad... I'm taking more community college classes this fall and am not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[gallinamama]

Quote:
your Grandmother probably likes the fact that you are close to home still... I know I would if it was my grandchildren....

 

[keyt1969]

Good morning everyone! Yes I agree it's a beautiful morning! I appreciate these cooler temps, much nicer sleeping weather! Although I didn't sleep too well. It's funny how you can be SO tired yet not be able to sleep. Probably because I slept 3-4 days in a row with migraines. Then yesterday a dog got sick and this morning a rooster decided to show us he can still get out even though we clipped his wings! Grr! lol. He didn't go anywhere. He just stood proudly on one of the chicken run's posts like he owned the world! lol

My little Serama roo is a riot! When my bf was re-clipping the big roo's wings, Pretty Boy was hollering and pecking at my bf's shoe! Then as he was walking out of the run, Pretty Boy chased after him. It was a sight! LOL

So today at some point we're making plans to open up half of the "garage" for the chickens. It's never once been used as a garage in 50-some years. This used to be his grandfather's property. He owned 400-some acres (it's now owned by some snow company...what does a snow company want with corn?? lol) The "garage" was used for my bf's grandfather's chickens in the winter time. So, that's what we're going to do. First we need to move and cover his son's classic pool table. Then we have to move all the wire, posts and re-open entrances into the garage. Well, I say we but it'll most be my bf. He's a gem, he does so much. He says I do enough taking care of the zoo haha.

So guess I'll finish my coffee. Oh yeah, the power steering and shocks/struts all went out in my car in 24 hours. When it rains it pours I guess. So Aric is checking on that now (won't have the money to replace it all til after the first)...and trying to fix his mom's van so she can sell it today. Did I mention he cooks, cleans, does laundry and a lot more too?? lol

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Quote:
wow 7 months and not laying??? This is a mystery!! Mine are 5 and just started. What are you feeding and what is the protein level?

The SLW's were born 3/1 (I was off by a month!) or there abouts so they are about 25 wks right now. we switched everyone to flock raiser awhile back because the protein level was higher in the hopes that it would spur some layin! Also did some reading about people keeping all of their hens on flock raiser simply because it was easier for them when mixed ages were in the flock. Now I've never read that a higher protein would be a disadvantage to development or laying...
Kristen, i did cook that turkey from the basement freezer for them and they've been enjoying all week - pretty much just bones and cartlidge left when i return home!