Michigan

[Sara Jayne]

Can anyone tell me if they have any silkies in the state cause i really want some silkies chicks they are so cute. Well all the babies I got yesterday morning survived the night thank you Lord lol. My daughters just love the babie chicks and is always asking to hold them. Is it all right that I let them. They wanna hold them all the time.

 

[Opa]

There is nothing wrong with letting your girls hold the chicks but only with your supervision. I would further suggest you insure they wash their hand thoroughly after. As far as letting them hold them all the time it might make it difficult for the chicks to eat, to say nothing of your daughters.

 

[1muttsfan]

Farmerboy, since the instructions were from canada, I assume the temps are in celsius?

57 = 98.6 Degrees fahrenheit
5 = 41 degrees fahrenheidt

 

[NovaAman]

Wow, Farmerboy. Congrats on that! I am not looking forward to testing and waiting on it myself.

Does anyone know if I let my ducks out of their house each day they won't disappear into my yard? I was thinking of leaving their house open on one side (more like a shelter than a sealed house) and using a secured, smaller run for them to relax in as they want. After I get all the humans settled, let them out into the yard and near a pond? Will they freak out? Should I make a larger fenced area?

Well... can you fence around the pond? If they have the pond, it'll make it darn near impossible to get them out and herd them back to the coop at night. I know this, since when ever my ducks get loose from their enclosure/pen, they head for the stream across the street. AND it is not fun trying to get them back. lol. As for getting lost, I'd say if you can, give them the largest possible enclosure if you have to keep them in the yard. They'll do less damage that way. Also, from what I understand, ducks prefer to not be stuck in coop at all. Would sleep outside at night if you let them. I would, but we have to many coons and my girls do not fly. I herd them into their coop each night. They do not go in on their own if they can help it. It was easier in the winter... BUT with summer approaching, they don't wanna. Chickens are definetly smarter.

 

[Momma K]

Olive,

I will be in the SW portion of the state,   KZoo/Battle Creek give or take 20 miles.   We have a huge area we are looking at, my only requirement is I am within 45 min of the ANG base in BC.   I thought the root crops would be good, but I wasn't sure about the the rest. So your telling me I still have hope for homegrown vegetables over the winter.     THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give me the fall/winter there, and I might be able to cook up some venison goulash for the chickenstock in 13', I have just have to buy enough land to hunt on or find someone who will let me take a deer for meat. While horns are nice on the wall they don't feed the family.   I have a pretty good goulash recipe from my local German forester's wife, I might even be able to muster up some real German beer. That one will take a little work, but I am willing to sacrifice and try....

I saw you raise pigs, do you sell them in the fall for meat?  I would be interested in 1/2 a hog if you sell it!!! that way.

EMAW

I don't know where you would like to live, but there are a lot of houses for sale/rent in my area. The base in BC is about 30-40 min from us, shoot straight down 79 to 66 and your there!!

 

[ladyfeather]

Nova:

Actually I can't because we were going to make a pond out of a kiddie pool for the Summer. I am still uncertain of how legal the ducks and chickens are in my area. While we are in the proper zoning district I do not have 5 acres but the ordinances are unclear. We also have a huge pond on the neighboring property and I am certain that will get me a few tickets from the city once they start wandering over there or staying. I think their dogs would tear them apart too

We've built them a sort of shelter/duck house because they are still pretty fluffy rather than feathered but too big for the brooder anymore. There is enough wood and fencing in my car to make a 12x6 or 12x8 run for them provided I stick them in each night and let them out each morning so approximately 14-19 sqft per duck. If I should find out later they are legal or I won't be in trouble could make the enclosure around 12x12. Hopefully we will be moving by July so I can let them roam more.

 

[NovaAman]

Well, kiddie pool is good. I bought 50 feet of fencing that has the rabbit style on the bottom, and is 40 inches tall I think it was... Well anyway, I move that around the back as needed to keep the area from getting too muddy, and to keep them in. Works nice. I think I paid like 26.99 for it at FFH. And just some step in stakes to keep it where I want it.

 

[NovaAman]

Gracious I have a head ache today. Had me at puke point earlier today while I was working. My normal 4 hour route took me nearly 5 hours today. I just kept going slower and slower. I stopped for a coke and some motrin and it eased up a bit after taking all 4 motrins. I know.. not supposed to, but I ran out of excedrine. No one has it anymore fro some dang recall... Well anyway, I am now more functional. Supposed to be a nice day tomorrow. I hope to get the neice and nephew over to help me move the coop to where I need it before i put to much more weight on it.... I am really tempted to put it in the side yard, but I want to put it where there is grass growing good and sun. If i just put it in the side yard under the trees... Will be looking at constant shade... decisions, decisions.

Opa... Don't mind Juise. She's just jealous that we got the "what the heck are they saying" thing going good. LOL

There is a lady down in Allegan who has silkies. If you look on craigslist under K-ZOO, she'll be under there. I'd offer to sell some of mine, but it ain't happening yet. I have 4 chicks and 2 adults, and need to build up.

Speaking of silkies. Roger and Leilas chicks were hatched black. They are starting to feather. Sheesh... they are 3 weeks old already... well anyway, they are turning more of a grey. What color can I expect in the end with black with gold leakage over buff? I need to take pictures of them. I got batteries yesterday... maybe I will load the camera...

One of the chuckle pullets moved herself into the big coop on her own last night. I didn't even realise she was in there till I opened up this morning and she came out. I was looking at her thinking, "Wow... Fia looks odd," and then, out comes Fia. Is that weird? I mean, for her to move herself out of the little coop on her volition and to the big coop with the big chickens? I am going to put another of the pullets in the big coop tonight with her, so she's not the loner in there. It'll lighten up the space in the little coop. I still need to get the door on. I built it, but haven't had the extra hands yet to put it on.

I know I was going to say something else...

Oh... nope still don't remember.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Someone was looking for trees...They are yours!! Lot of 15 plus or minus maple trees. All the roots are intact... they grew over cement in leaves and black gold!! They look very healthy! Some are about 3-4' tall. If you want more, say the word and we can dig some more up! I don't need anymore trees! I have lots and lots more to come!!! I can send you home with some of their dirt too! PM if you are interrested! First come first serve!!


One even grew in a little blue glass jar for you! I didn't have the heart to take it off.

Then I also have this one... I don't know what kind of tree it is but it has little bumps on the leaves.??? It is 7 maybe 8' tall!!

 

[Chicken Fresh]

Howdy everybody's looking to add a new EE or Ameraucana pullet to the flock.
was hoping someone could steer me in the direction of reputable breeder or might have a young hen themselves ?
I'm looking for a bird with cool beard and muffs and solid production of nice blue eggs.
We are in ann arbor area and will be looking to get the bird in the next week or so.
shoot me a pm if you can help and thanks in advance

Fresh