Michigan

[Opa]

I know that it is spring because of watching tom turkeys both vying for the attention of the hens and trying to intimidate the other toms. It's quite amazing to have 6 toms displaying less than 50' from the house.

I love to watch them do their little circular strutting dance. Feathers raised so that they suddenly appear twice their size. Wingtips dragging the ground, tail fanned and quivering, snood elongated, head and neck changing color from red to blue to white. Quite a spectacular exhibition. Today was the first serious strutting that they have done, so I know that is a portent of the coming spring. Today a flock of about 40 never left the yard until it was time to go to roost.

If it is anything like all of the previous years, they will stay here until a few days before the opening of the spring turkey hunting season and won't reappear until the fall hunting season closes on November 14th. There must be a calendar hidden somewhere that keeps them informed as to when the season is open,

 

[snowflake]

Holy moley, there's a LOT of Michiganders here! Anyone from down near Howell, by me?

Welcome

Hi everybody!

Welcome

Henry: ::sigh::

love this one,,Henry looks very proud

WOW

hope he /she got down OK

Welcome to thewaggonerfamily and

Welcome

I had no idea chickens could fly that high! Something must have spooked her or been after her. You're right, I'd like to see her get down.

Well, I made a list of places I had to stop today and took off with the dogs. First stop at Krogers, second stop at The Dollar Store, last stop at TSC. I also stopped at Mickey D's because I was starving and the dogs needed a treat. They get a plain hamburger patty split three ways cause they're all on diets. I get a crispy chicken snack wrap, small fries and a chocolate shake cause I'm the human. Finally made it to TSC and tried to avoid the you-know-what's. Got my layer crumbles and scratch, got some dried duck chews for the dogs, took my time looking around and then cautiously made my way over to peek into the bins. Red pullets, straight run black sex-links, straight run barred rocks, white pullets, and adorable assorted bantams, no ducks. Nothing even tempted me. So, as I'm driving home two and a half hours after stopping at Krogers I remember that I have ice cream in my groceries.

sounds like something I would do,

 

[RBahmer]

Ooooo I spend the day being productive and in pops in some newbies! :: waves ::

Welcome!

So my DH and I spend the afternoon swapping out the hay for pineshavings in the coop. Now there is a nice layer of DE and pineshavings and the chickens won't go inside the coop now. They just peek in the door in awe of it all. The nice weather must have triggered the girls to be laying machines again. We are starting to lay more. Still no bantam eggs though.

Big Boy and my lovely FBCM Roo are going to take up residence at Robin's this week. I'll have to drive my corrolla down to see her to prevent me from bringing home a lamb.

She might just shove one in my trunk while I'm not looking! I'll have to keep my eye on her....

I think I am going to hatch out some mutts from my EE's. Big Boy came from a lovely dark chocolate egg and I'd love some Olive Eggers. So I am going to go ahead and fire up the bator to get it set. Woot!

A lamb will fit in your front seat or rear seat Jaime LOL. Better keep your eye on me.

 

[swampducks]

Actually, I suspect the hatchery labeled things fine it's the TSC workers who are clueless.

Well, the chicks I got at TSC was labeled Black Jersey Giants and they are Barred Rocks !!!!! In with the Black Sex Links I bought is a chocolate brown chick. No idea. They need new help at the hatchery apparently.

 

[Mom 2em All]

And a photo for M2M. Lemon and Pepper out for a stroll.

awwwwwwwwww

 

[RBahmer]

Actually, I suspect the hatchery labeled things fine it's the TSC workers who are clueless.

That could be except I went to 2 different TSC's and bought from both and they were labeled JG's at both places.

 

[NovaAman]

Alright... I think Veena is ill... AGAIN! I don't know what is going on now. I know it has to do with her reproductive system though. She was in the nest box a few times today, and no egg. She did how ever drop a egg white poop in front of me when she got out of the nest box. This afternoon, she was in the nest box when I started emptying out the old bedding. I left her alone on the other side of the coop while I cleaned the window side. A little bit later she got out and walked over by where I was cleaning... No egg in the nest box, but what I think now is the first round of egg white. She then went on out of the coop and went to forage with everyone else. The nest box she was using had some pretty gross matter in them.. Looked like egg yolk mixed up with the shavings... And it was not pleasant... Well, anyway, after I cleaned out the nest boxes, I put some fresh shavings and set them back in the coop. A few hours later, Veena is in the top one, nothing, she gets down, gets in the bottom one, then gets out of that, and thats when she lets go some more egg white looking stuff, a white glob that I have no idea what it was, looked like a rather large cottage cheese curd, and some yellow along with a normal looking little poop in the mix. She then went on her way again... She has not given an egg for 2 days... Well, I think she has, but not anything I can eat. What the heck could be going on with her? Her butt is not pasty either... I can go and get her off the roost and feel her up to see if there is broken shell... But I really do not think that is the problem. Open to ideas... I am going to search the forum for anything that may be relevant. Other than the egg issue, she does seem to be just fine.

 

[RBahmer]

Welcome to all the newcomers.

I re-homed a bottle lamb today. I am down to 4 now.

 

[Stacykins]

So with this awesome, warm weather has anyone's property turned into a mushy, mucky, icky, muddy swamp? I can't wait for the ground to dry up, since I dislike squishing across the yard! Not all the snow and ice has melted here, either, there are patches of mud and grass, and patches of snow. For now, I prefer to walk on the snowy bits, so I don't squelch into the mud.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Nova-
werent you getting shell-less eggs before?
Does she eat oyster shell?
Are u sure its not 'broody' poop?

Am I helpful yet?

Sorry, I dont have any advice. Try also the thread about emergencies, etc.