Michigan

[Stacykins]

My chickens are ultra happy. I accidentally forgot to wrap a pot of rice well enough to keep it from drying out. Yep, it was like a rock this morning. Even attempting to rehydrate it left rice that tasted like dry cardboard, not fluffy and delicious. So a huge pot of rice went out to the chickens. It was a feast for the famished! Usually there is some squabbling over who gets the most treats (I try and divvy them up evenly so everyone gets a bit at least), but there was so much rice that everychook could get enough to make 'em content!

 

[RaZ]

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That last line brought back a bad flashback from my Limnology class. We had to do calculations of when water froze, when ice melted and whatnot.

For winter, I'll be using my electric bird-bath waterer. It only comes on at 35' or below and shuts off at 40'. The electrical draw is neglible. I'll also have water in the coop, which is going to be a part of my insulated garage. Even though the garage is unheated, it hasn't often gone below freezing except in extremely cold weather. Once I finish the partion, I think a couple of light bulbs will provide enough warmth. As a kid, back in PA, we never had anything more than a couple of 60 watt bulbs in the hen house.

I'll take care of my birds but I'm not going to pamper them (excessively). They do have a TV, but it's basic cable only.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

My FIL just brought some stale cereal over for my gang and he will be bringing watermelon rinds over later.

Nova, the decorating idea is great. I say go for it. Also, contact your local extension office and they will help you with getting your son in 4-H.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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[ChicwannaB]

my grandkids NEVER clean up all the cereal and milk in their bowls. Im trying to teach them NOT to dump it out, but to give it to the chickens. ;~D I think I'll try freezing the milk in icecube trays for summertime treats.

 

[ChicwannaB]

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[NovaAman]

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I did call the 4H at MSU and they put me in touch with the closest local branch. SO HA to the jerk who told me my kid can't join!
As for the paint thou... I know exterior, but they have oil and latex exterior, which would be safest for the cluckers?

 

[NovaAman]

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Totally awesome idea... I am going to do that cheap store brand yogurt for summer treats. This summer i was feeding them popsicles... I am sure that wasn't the best choice, but it sure was funny.

 

[Olive Hill]

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I did call the 4H at MSU and they put me in touch with the closest local branch. SO HA to the jerk who told me my kid can't join!
As for the paint thou... I know exterior, but they have oil and latex exterior, which would be safest for the cluckers?

Technically, they did not lie to you. Kids cannot be a 4-H'er at his age. They can however be a Cloverbud.

I wouldn't hold it against the people. Some people are not aware of the Cloverbud program -- even those that participate in 4-H -- because not all 4-H chapters have Cloverbuds as a part of their group.

 

[ChicwannaB]

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Totally awesome idea... I am going to do that cheap store brand yogurt for summer treats. This summer i was feeding them popsicles... I am sure that wasn't the best choice, but it sure was funny.

we had such a bumper crop of Junebugs this summer, I was going out and lifting several rugs I laid on the driveway under the murcery lights, I'd sweep them into a container and go back to bed for a couple hours, then go out and do it again. I got tons of them which I froze in ziplock bags. Oh boy do they go nuts for them and so much cheaper than Happy Hen Treats. Solid Protein.