Michigan

[RBahmer]

Well anyway. Robin, I was thinking, maybe you should ditch the chickens and start raising coons instead. They seem to be drawn to your yard anyway.. AND THEN, you could sell them for trainer purposes for coon dogs... Well... Actually, I don't think I like that to much... SO, I think maybe you can open a coon graveyard? After all, this is what? 32? Maybe you could get a backhoe so you won't have to dig so many holes. Just have a mass grave...

Yes 32. Coons everywhere. Trap set again tonight.

 

[RBahmer]

Hey Olive - where you been ? I missed you.

 

[Olive Hill]

Oh, you know... busy. Being rude and inconsiderate is a full time job. How are things there? I was going to try to catch up, but realized I didn't even remember where I left off and said to heck with it. Did see some mention of coons, killed six just tonight. Anybody want a hat?

 

[RBahmer]

Oh, you know... busy. Being rude and inconsiderate is a full time job. How are things there? I was going to try to catch up, but realized I didn't even remember where I left off and said to heck with it. Did see some mention of coons, killed six just tonight. Anybody want a hat?

Yes, it is a full time job hahahaha. Things are ok except I have most of the coons in Michigan it seems. LOL

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I am thinking all those coons you guys are catching would make some awsome winter gloves or slippers..... lol.

I don't give my dead coons the benefit of a burial, the ones that DH got for me a few years ago during the great chicken massecre i had him scatter on the outermost perimeter of the woods behind the coop. Was gross, but it was one heck of a warning to the other would-be coon raiders, had to watch for coyote for a bit but at least they can't open doors.
Worked great until the fiasco of DH's family moving in next door, they were throwing carcasses out back instead of burying them after hunting/fishing, and it drew in a new bunch that we are still getting.

 

[taprock]

There was talk about roosters crowing and letting them out. Mine will go all night if it's a full moon. I let them out between 6:30 and 7:30 depending on when I'm ready. I have neighbors across from me. We are about 400 foot off the road and they are about that also in the woods. So there is some distance. I don't feel bad though because as an example.... I was tired last night and went to bed about 10:45 and then they started the fireworks that lasted until 11:30. Then at 3 their dog is in our back yard howling. Then there is also the 4 wheelers and dirtbikes that are all over at all hours. So I figure country, that's fine but they will have to tolerate the roosters.

Yea for coon captures.

Sorry for the lost chickens.

Off to camp this week so you may or may not hear from me. I hope to take the laptop so I can keep up a bit. Maybe it will be a slow week.

 

[snowflake]

Nova, sorry about your hen. if you have a necropsy done let us know the results.

Nova, your sister is in my thoughts, please tell her we are all rooting for her problems to resolve. And I am sorry to hear about your hen, too

Kimmie, it is best to completely isolate new birds from others, especially your own, for at least 2 weeks. They should not be near other birds at all, even through a fence. Gives you a lot of peace of mind if one should become ill.
Spent most of the morning running a new fenceline in the back field to open up more grazing for the horses. We had to cut some trees out of a thick row to make a space for the fence, I like to be able to run both sides with the brush hog a few times a year. It was hot, sweaty, dirty, greasy, and the ticks were all over, but we got it done thank goodness.

if you have a lot of ticks you need guinea I have read they can clear acres of ticks and flees

Teeville......I've only had 2 try to go broody. All I did was take them out of the box every time there were caught in there and place them in the run with the others which they then would turn around & go straight back in after they drank & nibbled a bit. One was real stubborn so I'd LOCK HER OUT of the pen for short periods of time just so she wouldn't hi-tail it back into the coop. She'd graze around the coop and didn't wonder. When they all were free ranging I'd shut the pen door so she wouldn't sneak back in. Also when they'd go in to roost for the evening she'd go to the box. When I'd go out to lock up I 'd pick her up and put her on the roost. Took about a week of being consistent on my part.

Well the birdhouse I worked on this afternoon is almost finished & I just need to put some finishing touches on it. Here is what my DD created this after noon. These were plain wood cut-outs & she worked on them all afternoon decorating them. Granny gave them to her at the end of CS when everyone was clearing out & cleaning up.
I think they look cute!

very sweet,,,, love the pink bird


well have a good day all, on my way to Lansing to meet a friend for a kayaking trip

 

[M.sue]

Off to camp this week so you may or may not hear from me. I hope to take the laptop so I can keep up a bit. Maybe it will be a slow week.

When we come up to visit my relatives that live up /around you I try to stay off the computer. Kids never watch the T.V. for we tend to be out & about doing things. Also I only use or answer my cell when deemed IMPORTANT. It's SO NICE to be without technology at times.

 

[Trefoil]

Probably because I grew up on a farm and ended up having most of the varmits as pets my attitude is different from most that post here. But why bother trying to kill all the coons? They are almost exclusively active at night, when the birds should be locked up and safe from them. If they get into your feed, its a good indication that your bins aren't secure. Coons aren't carriers of rabies, if they get rabies they die of it, just like you or me. If you see a coon out in the open during the day, its very likely sick. If you are unable to build a coon proof pen, then build your chicken coop in the middle of your dog pen. Even if it were possible to kill all the coons in your area, either more coons would move in or something worse would fill the gap. Coons are easier to keep out than weasels. The initial effort and cost may be more, but in the long run its safer and more cost effective to work with your habitat than constantly trying to change it. I'm not trying to offend anyone, just hoping you will think about more effective ways to ensure the safety of your flock.

 

[babigyrl22]

Good Morning everyone!

Busy weekend. We finally invested in a patio set. OH how glorious it is to now be able to sit on my deck at night. :: cheers :: My DH also installed a ceiling fan in our bedroom. Now...I am sleeping in luxury. LOL My birds are all braving the heat nicely. The only problem I am having is that they are not taking advantage of the oyster shell I've left out for them. They are starting to break eggs, especially the younger ones that are exploring the nest boxes during the day. I may have to switch back over to layer pellets but I really wanted to wait until the little ones were older.