Michigan

[NovaAman]

Tap, looks to me that you've got a house chicken...

 

[babigyrl22]

WHY do I want an emu now?? LOL


Seriously, Farmerboy Congrats on all the babies!!!
Tap, Yep...house chicken.

 

[gladahmae]

Oh, the dogs will LIKE the chickens.. Its getting them to not like the fun of EATING the chickens...

And that's my concern. The lab is old, and has never shown much interest in birds (or even ducks!) and is very biddable, so I'm not too worried about him. Our husky, on the other hand, may be a bit of a challenge. He's got a really gentle mouth with people, and hasn't chased birds or squirrels much, but I anticipate doing a LOT of clicker training with the 'leave it' command starting in a few more days once the chicks are more settled. (And I'm going to make him pull me on my bike for a few miles to wear him out before we even do THAT!)

Welcome gadahmae! Since you are new to chickens I want to offer you some good advice. 1. Get your new chicks from the same place you just got your current chicks. That way you will not introduce any parasites or disease from someone elses flock to your current flock.
2. Don't get one SLW and one GLW. Get 2 or 3 of each. Chickens like to hang out with their own breed and also you will lose some chickens to predators, dogs, illness. And you might have an accidental rooster in the batch. So get extras!

There is a fair amount of illness in Michigan's backyard chicken flocks so the best way to keep your flock healthy is to not handle other people's chickens and to have chicken shoes that you wear to your coop and no where else. That way you won't bring parasites into your chicken areas on your clothes, hair or shoes.

I have read that getting them from the same source is best, unfortunately, these came from Cackle, and I can't buy another 15 or 25 to meet the shipping minimum. Someone local to me is selling off their excess chicks they got from Townline, which I would *think* would be safer than getting them from some person on their personal farm (which is also an option if I wanted some EEs). Regarding the GLW/SLW......are they actually different BREEDS or just different color variations (suchs a yellow lab, chocolate lab, black lab) of the same breed. I don't have room for 4-6 more chicks.......only for 2. I guess I'm just thinking that it would be "acceptable" to add 2 of a closely related variety, but know that it would be "best/optimal" to add them in lager increments of each. Yes? No?

 

[Momma K]

Morning all!! I leave for a day and you all go crazy with posts!!! It will take me a few to get through them. Taking the human kid to the doc for a script and the furry kid to the vet today. The dog has a lump in his neck that needs to be checked out.
Have a good day all!!

 

[SillyChicken]

to the new folks, jump in and paddle fast! This thread really moves!


You guys had me laughing this morning.

What a great morning to ride to work.. but I think it's gonna be a hot ride home.

I finally got all the old manure pile out of the chicken yard and in the garden... took 7 loads in the mule. will be great stuff for the garden. I picked up a few tomato plants. I am a fan of some organic farm on FB and they had nice weed free isles.. I asked how they get rid of the weeds.. they said they use straight vinegar (just don't get it on the garden plants cause it'll kill it too) Sprayed on 6" or smaller weeds. So we're going to try that this year.

Farmerboy....... congratulations, on your emu chicks and piglets!... they are all SOOOOOOO soo cute! I still want a couple pigs... I got a letter from the state that specifies that your breed of pigs were not considered illegal. I wanted something in writing from the state before we did anything. Just like to cover all my bases ya know!

Nigelles, you can drop the chicks off at my work sometime when it's convenient for you... not this week though I will have the bike! or you can just keep them if you want more hens.. I don't need anymore roosters, thank you... I'm sending almost all of mine to freezer camp this weekend! My poor girls need a break from all the "affection"!

The broody turkey was off her nest today. I left the last ch.....poult with her, sorted out the bad eggs and left a few that may be ok. She was sitting on them again. I hope she can hatch out a couple more before she gives up. And I was surprised that none of the chickens were bothering the tiny poult. I'll be letting the turkeys out to free range the larger fenced area soon.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Hey all.. we are North of Milford MI and have a young flock of 3 barred rocks (2 pullets and a roo) and went for feed and brought home 2 ISA Browns So 5 in all and still working on getting our coop built!

& welcome 3urbanchics! Please check out the links in my, RaZ's or Opa's siggy lines for info on next month's chickenstock. We would love to see you there.

 

[SankofaGypsy]

3urbanchicks - I'm in Milford, too!

 

[RaZ]

I have never seem emu chicks before. Thank you Daron.

Welcome new folks, be sure to check the links in my signature for information on Chickenstock. We are only 4 weeks away!

It is supposed to be 85 degrees here today.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Our husky, on the other hand, may be a bit of a challenge. He's got a really gentle mouth with people, and hasn't chased birds or squirrels much, but I anticipate doing a LOT of clicker training with the 'leave it' command starting in a few more days once the chicks are more settled. (And I'm going to make him pull me on my bike for a few miles to wear him out before we even do THAT!)

I guess I'm just thinking that it would be "acceptable" to add 2 of a closely related variety, but know that it would be "best/optimal" to add them in lager increments of each. Yes? No?

We have a husky too [shhhh we won't let him know that] He is pretty good with the adult chickens. The little ones are too tempting since they are so "flighty". It kicks in the prey drive a bit more. However I still don't completely trust him around the chickens. If something happens because I wasn't watching closely enough then I am willing to accept the blame.

Yes, it would be fine to add 2 related varieties. They will be fine.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Hiya!!!

I should probably be in a worse mood than I am, but I am feeling a little Opa-ish!

Racoons got in the garbage on the porch (That "I" did not leave out last night) Had to wash the porch. I did leave the dog food out though...

Looks like they would rather eat the garbage than the dog food... BF is bringing home traps.
Baby pooed all over herself and me...

And I have the rest of the day to add on more

But who could be upset after seeing baby emu and piglets???!!!!
Good grief you have done a lot of work Farmerboy!!!

Tap... Love the house chicken!!!

My son is showing off his new books to his friend. They are looking at the body book and my son is showing him neurons, brains, and intestines. I am so proud that he knows what they are!

Can you believe that I have less than a week til hatch day??? Me niether!!!