Michigan

[RaZ]

I think most of the people who are considering sand have dirt floors to begin with. You can't power wash a dirt floor anyway.

Well, you can but it sure makes a mess.

I have used my power washer to excavate holes in very dense clay soils. Had to do that when I dug my pond and clogged up the back hoe.

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote:

I love goats, I am still trying to accumulate enough excuses to get it past my husband, though, since we wouldn't be milking ours.

So far I have got: *Eat poison ivy, and *Help deter chicken predators, but it's not getting my goat, if you know what I mean.

I would like a couple of pygmies. And a couple sheep. And... okay, I better stop there for now, actually.

I don't know how much "brush" or weeds you have, but since we got our two goats, hubby hasn't had to pull out the weed eater, or mow the bottom meadow. I take them for "walks" around the property and they keep everything trimmed.

Just a couple LESS honey do's

(Hi from Washington!)

 

[swampducks]

I have sand but it's over dirt and wire mesh since I use the deep litter method. I've piled straw on top of that. In April I'll scoop it out, usually a bunch of clumped up sand comes with it. I do it again in October. Don't know about bad bacteria but it doesn't smell so I figure I'm doing okay. Probably need to add some sand this spring, I have to step lower every 6 months it seems. Good thing I live on a hill of sand.

Wouldn't sand soak up the poop and pee and breed bacteria/diseases?

I use pine shavings. Seems to work best for soaking up, clean up, keeping things smelling okay and dry.

 

[BobBry]

ETA: just noticed the incorrect homonym in my original tale. I hate when I do that!

Edited by RaZ - 3/6/12 at 10:51pm


I'm a few posts behind. have to ask. What? I'm sure there is a tale of chickens. Actually, I've red several.

 

[chicken grandma]

Everything chicken...

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20120309/D9TCNORG0.html

I saw these people in our local news yesterday! 607 people dressed as chickens to break a world record ! Strangely enough it was right near me in Grand Rapids! Click on the above link you guys to see a couple cute photos of chicken nuts!

 

[BobBry]

Originally Posted by RBahmer

I live west of Duck Lake. I am centrally located between Charlotte, Marshall, Eaton Rapids, Albion, and Springport.




Glad you clarified, added to this. I had you as some sort of nymph living in Lake Michigan.

 

[Bianca67]

OH they are sooo darn cute!!!!

 

[BobBry]

Search localharvest.org, frequent local farmers markets, ask at local feed stores and look at their bulletin boards if they have them. The ALBC recently added a search feature on their website of people raising heritage breed and rare animals. You can always try breeders of certain types of animals and see if they sell meat from them. I can't endorse any one other farm, but I can tell you to do your research about what you want in your food and then ask farmers how they're raising them and make those choices for yourself. Remember not to get caught up in the buzz-word; find out what it means and go from there. For instance, "grass-fed" is a loaded term itself. Many animals weren't intended to be grass-fed. It goes along the lines of "vegetarian"-fed chickens. WHAT?! Chickens are naturally omnivores, don't fall for that stuff. Find farmers who KNOW what they're talking about and do your research so that you can tell when they're bluffing. That's the best thing you can do for the future of ag; choose a farmer who's honest enough and knows enough to be able to tell you why things are done the way they are on different types of farms.

I recall trying to develop the process and habit of thinking in and for the students I had. Olive Hill, sounds to me that you suffer with a similar affliction. Have at it girl.

 

[NovaAman]

Ok... about the sand... I understand that the best way to go about it is a layer of gravel, then a thick layer of sand. I have read that some people also use a weed barrier between the ground itself and the gravel... Well, that's my plan. I will use straw over the sand in the winter months... I just think I made a mistake with the leaves in the winter run where the ducks are concerned. The side the chickens are on is DRY! But the duck side, because they like to swim in their water dish, tip it over, everything to make mess with said water dish... Their side is disgusting. I figure it might help keep things..... easier at the end of the winter. And nothing like taking a hose to sand to clean it... I don't know... We will see. I guess it all depends on how things work out right? I will keep putting straw in the bread boxes though that they sleep/poop/lay eggs in. Just not in the whole coop. It has a vinyl floor, so stuff rinses off real easy.

NOW, I am thinking I need a drake... None of them are boys. One was supposed to be, so, unless I have a duck who lays 2 eggs a day... These girls are like WOW in comparrison to my chickens. I have 6 hens who are laying... I get 3 sometimes 4 eggs in a day. My dottes are taking turns, the banties only lay every other day and only Fiametta lays everyday. Leila actually has laid an egg 2 days in a row. Yesterday, she laid her egg with ALL 4 of her babies in the nest box with her. That was something else. Roger stood guard.. SO, now she and her littles sleep in it too. She lays her eggs with them around her... They are not using the coop at all! Roger sleeps/poops on my mini generator handle and Fiametta, she sleeps on the garage door rail. She is getting ready to be moved to the coop with Mr Fluffers I think... I say "Think" cuz she loves that garage rail. Roger LOVES her. She will not let Mr. Fluffers mount her, but she will let Roger. BUT she hangs out with Mr. Fluffers girls nearly all day... She's a cock (MR. FLUFFERS) tease. She lets him see it, but won't let him have it. LOL. Ok, off color a bit, and I hope I did not offend too much...

I need a new hobby. LOL

 

[NovaAman]

LOOK AT THE FEATHERS ON THAT CHICKS FEET!

I want it. Can I have it?