Michigan

[1muttsfan]

Since Opa and his family, along with chickflick and the hustons, do most (OK all) of the work involved, and Lansing is convenient for them (I hope!), that is where chickenstock its held. I would love a more northern location for another get-together, but there really has to be someone willing to dedicate the time, effort and financial investment that Opa puts forth. For which we are all very grateful.

I would personally prefer our gathering to be for BYC members, as it is a social gathering of friends primarily, and a swap as a fun secondary entertainment. As far as policing the event to eliminate others, there has not so far been any problems with those that wander in. Maybe some of them will check out BYC when they get home. And my goodness, there was a ton of food!

Msue, I think any mention of gunfire should trigger a call to the police to have a report filed.

 

[NovaAman]

YES! I do not have a gun... Carl does, so I can always borrow his if needed... HOWEVER, last year, most of you will remember that I threatened to shoot some kids for terrorizing my chickens with there bikes. They went home and told their mamas that, but not what they were doing to make me so mad... Well, it is ILLEGAL to threaten people/animals with shooting. I'd call the cops, at least get it on record.

 

[NovaAman]

I hate Campbells Heart heathly soups... Just doesn't taste right...

 

[Opa]

When The flyer for Chickenstock first came out in January I suggested posting it in places such as TSC, FFH, and local feed mills in an attempt to draw more chicken folks to BYC. With almost 6 months to check out the website for BYC they would become welcomed additions to our circle of friends. Hopefully in that time they would discover that Chickenstock is a gathering of friends to have an opportunity to socialize with all of the wonderful friends we've come to know and enjoy on line.

If they checked out the BYC site as a result of Silly Chickens wonderful poster they would have discovered that we all share in providing the meal and the camaraderie and the event is more of a family reunion rather that an entertainment event. The sale/swap of critters is just an additional plus.

To advertise the event on something like Craigslist could attract people who have no real interest in joining BYC and probably not even in raising chickens. We really haven't had much of a problem with "walk-ins" with no interest in chickens. I know that several people expressed their displeasure with one group who have come to get chickens to eat. While I have no qualms about the buying or selling of chickens for consumption I respect the right of those who do not wish to do so.

That particular family group approached me wanting to get my phone number so they could check with me periodically to find out when we have another event. For the first time I refused to assist some one, I wouldn't give them my number and told them that to come to the event they would have to join BYC and then as participating members they would know when we do things.

When trying to find a location to have an event it is difficult to find one that will allow poultry & livestock to be brought in. Plus ideally you want a location that has a pavilion, bathrooms, playground, adequate parking, and a sufficient sales setup area. Additionally you should try to find a site that is convenient to get to, yet is located in such manner that it isn't readily visible to people who don't know about it. Our current location offers this and I believe it is one reason we have had very few problems with non-chicken owning walk ins.

I personally like the idea of a northern get together in late September since it would add a color tour to the event. Perhaps it could be called something like Michigan's Fall Fowl Follies.

 

[NovaAman]

I like that name!


Who wants to see the bestest smile? Ok, you don't have a choice, so close your eyes...


And now... My poor sicky... I just put her in confinement. Roger and Rod Stewart will not leave her alone, so when they jump o n her, she actually falls over to the side, and they are so stupid... LOL. Well I put her in solitary, fed her some mashed up chicken noodle soup, and she chowed that down. She was looking up yesterday... BUT not so much today...

 

[RaZ]

This orphanarium business has to stop!
Now the orphan babies are just coming in the house.

A newly fledged sparrow somehow got into the house and somehow avoided the cats and dogs and fluttered up to where I was sitting. He was returned to the great outdoors.

I just can't figure out how it got in the house.

 

[chickflick]

Four years ago, someone else was trying to find a place to have Chickenstock. She became overwhelmed and I offered to help find a location. Lansing is considered Mid Michigan (lower). I live over an hour away from Delta Mills. I use to live just down the street from the park, so I knew of it and thought it would suffice. So, I didn't pick the park because it was convienent for me. I picked it because it was "Mid". I knew the yooppers would have a difficult time to come, but there is no one place that will satisfy everyone. The yooppers said the same thing last year, and I think I said the same thing... Have one. Someone up there has to take charge and plan it. We can't do it from down here. Sam and I called each other up and talked about location and all the in and outs about it. We planned. We had people who offered to do the lists of the food, who was coming, etc. That's what the yooppers have to do if they want to have a CS "up north".
Our family is growing by leaps and bounds just by folks finding BYC and the MI thread. To post on CL would just invite who knows what to our family reunion. Last year we were still growing and I did put a couple of flyers up in our local feed stores, but I don't think we should do that any more. I didn't this year. Things continue to change. We have to adjust our way to do things as we continue to grow. Heck, our first CS, we had like 6 people!! Isn't it great, from 6 people to over 170!! Look how many friendships have been made! This is just so awesome that we could come together and do this. And I would love to get together more often! So, start planning!

 

[RIRJen]

I want to point something out to my fellow CS attendees. You say you don't want just anyone coming. Well inviting people is one of the ways to bring people into our forum family. I'm sure you all met the family who came with the adorable little potbellied pig? Well I invited them. I stopped by thier house because they are only 1 mile from me and I drive by it daily to go to work and noticed they had chickens. (i wasn't going to post this part) I also used the fact that thier potbellied pig was in the road one day to stop by and drop off a flyer...about 2 weeks after giving them that flyer thier pig ran out in front of my truck and I killed her and also destroyed thier mailbox and almost my truck trying to avoid her. (there's the reason they have a new baby pig) I talked with them about how much fun CS is and how they would find some wonderful people and wonderful birds. They seemed to have had a wonderful time and took home some awesome new birds. I agree that it's wrong for someone to come waltzing in but I see nothing wrong with sharing this event with people who may need just a little push to become completely obsessed with poultry like the rest of us.

 

[1muttsfan]

Yupper?? Someone who says yup?

 

[NovaAman]

yup...