Michigan

[vicki2x2]

Quote:
Same here, but It was still cold going out the coop to change the water this morning before work. Saturday DW and I spread some straw around in the pop door, and to my surprise most of out birds came out and were wandering around the straw covered area. Before they would come out for a few min. then go back in. now they spend 20+min out at a time. Guess they like having something other than frozen ground and snow

I am SO happy that we are at 66 days til April 1...thanks for the countdown update Olive Hill. Of course.....it will really be more like May 1 for warmer weather up here but I can dream.

Uncle_Bubba....I am ashamed to say that with past flocks...I had them stay inside during Jan. and Feb. months..... In my defense however...I have a 8X10 coop and usually had 6 -10 hens so they did have some room. I am going to toughen up with my next flock and let THEM choose when they want to go out in the run!

We used to live up there, Kalkaska area and I agree, weather was colder much longer and more unpredictable. Trout Festival was the end of April, and there were years that we watched the parade in shorts and tshirts and years where we literally had a snowstorm, winter coat, boots, etc. Must say, I enjoy less winter down here now, though I think a little further south would be even better!

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
Same here, but It was still cold going out the coop to change the water this morning before work. Saturday DW and I spread some straw around in the pop door, and to my surprise most of out birds came out and were wandering around the straw covered area. Before they would come out for a few min. then go back in. now they spend 20+min out at a time. Guess they like having something other than frozen ground and snow

I am SO happy that we are at 66 days til April 1...thanks for the countdown update Olive Hill. Of course.....it will really be more like May 1 for warmer weather up here but I can dream.

Uncle_Bubba....I am ashamed to say that with past flocks...I had them stay inside during Jan. and Feb. months..... In my defense however...I have a 8X10 coop and usually had 6 -10 hens so they did have some room. I am going to toughen up with my next flock and let THEM choose when they want to go out in the run!

Me too! Seeing the countdown in the "sixties" makes it seem like there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
I am SO happy that we are at 66 days til April 1...thanks for the countdown update Olive Hill. Of course.....it will really be more like May 1 for warmer weather up here but I can dream.

Uncle_Bubba....I am ashamed to say that with past flocks...I had them stay inside during Jan. and Feb. months..... In my defense however...I have a 8X10 coop and usually had 6 -10 hens so they did have some room. I am going to toughen up with my next flock and let THEM choose when they want to go out in the run!

We used to live up there, Kalkaska area and I agree, weather was colder much longer and more unpredictable. Trout Festival was the end of April, and there were years that we watched the parade in shorts and tshirts and years where we literally had a snowstorm, winter coat, boots, etc. Must say, I enjoy less winter down here now, though I think a little further south would be even better!

Last year I had to drive to Southern Indiana in the beginning of March. It was 70 and sunny down there, and only in the high 30s or low 40s here. I was in a gorgeous area of the countryside, lots of winding roads and old farms to boot. I drove down and back in one day and that was such a tease. I would have stayed down there if I'd been able to convince the hubby to load up the kids and the animals and meet me.

 

[vicki2x2]

Wow that sounds heavenly right about now!

 

[chickflick]

Wynette set up the Chickenstock threrad last year and kept us up to date on who's bringing what and who was coming. I haven't called her yet as I was in Chicago this past week end, but if anyone wants to take on that task, I'm sure Wynette won't be offended. I am computer stupid so I sure won't take the job away from her! Someone needs to start a separate thread for the 2011 Chickenstock so everyone will know. And it's a very good idea to post at feed stores so we can get more chicken people!
One thing good about this cold... the chicken patties are so much easier to clean up in the coop!! Stay warm, friends. Yeah, Chickenstock is coming!!! Something to loo foward to!!

 

[fifelakelooper]

RIR...congrats on the new babies!! I am glad you were able to get the baby bunnies inside .....luck was with you.
I have wondered how the cellophane wrapped egg did....it will be interesting to see if it is born ok. Also...what type of incubator did you get?? I think next spring I'm getting one too and like to have input.
Have a great day everyone and stay warm....suppose to be better today!

 

[fifelakelooper]

Quote:
Yup...Kalkaska and Fife Lake....snowbelt areas! I would love to move downstate to Eaton county where I grew up and there is less snow. I have Indiana friends that like to come up here for snowmobiling. This IS great for snowmobiling around here....too bad it isn't something we like to do. When we bought up here we figured we might as well have lots of snow with the cold weather so we could enjoy the winter sports! Ha!!!We live on a half mile seasonal road...my husband is constantly snowplowing it and two years ago we had to hire a farmer to haul snow out because there wasn't room to push the snow along the road. It seems we are always 3-5 degrees colder up here too...makes it nice in summers but not winters.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Quote:
That type of area, looks familiar. I grew up in Bellaire and went to college in Big Rapids.

I like that Igloo looks air tight. Are there chickens out there this winter?

Blessings

Harold

Hi Harold,
Thanks, the igloo is really just a covered run and yes the gang is out in it during the winter. We were lucky that someone had a bunch of greenhouse plastic that they wanted to get rid of and covered it for the winter. If you click on the link in my signature you can see what the whole coop and run looks like without the snow.

Olive, thanks for the countdown, I look forward to the reminder that spring is coming someday.

 

[theron]

Hello every one from Michigan! I live in the tri cities (Midland, Saginaw, Bay City area) in the lower peninsula. I really want to go to the Michigan 2011 Chickenstock. Where and When is it going to be held? Where can I find out more information about it?

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Welcome to the Michigan thread

It is planned for June 25th at the Delta Mills park in Lansing. I don't think a new thread has been started on it yet.

Last year I did an attendees thread, would y'all like me to do that again for this year?