Michigan

[zephyrcreek]

Hi everyone,

Sounds like it has been a busy morning.

Yes, I have had chickens in the past. I grew up on the same farm my dad grew up on, just a few miles from where I am at now. My hubby and I bought some acreage a few years back and started from scratch. All our time and energy has gone into finnishing the house and the horse barns/fencing. Unfortunetely for us my husband and I both worked for the same auto supplier. I now work a part time job as a cashier......and have plenty of time to get started on my new project, all those cute baby chicks. I will be ordering a few laying hens and a ton of meat birds as soon as my brooder is complete. Steve, I loved reading about your new coop. WOW! I was also looking at the coop someone posted for the contest and used filtching as siding. I think that's ther right word atleast. She said it was cheaper than plywood....gets me thinking as I have a lumber mill just down the road...oh the ideas! Ha! Ha! Right now my budget is small, but I am looking at a 8'X6' raised henhouse with storage and covered area underneath, and an enclosed run. I would like to use enclosed free-range with my meatbirds as I have the time and two little helpers to assist. Just gotta wait until we have some decent weather to even consider starting that project!!

 

[zephyrcreek]

I also grew up with goats, as my sister and I were both very allergic to cows milk as children. All the "boys" were named meat, steak, or yummy!!! and the does were added to the herd.

Baby goats are adorable, and we even had one that we would take to T-ball games and other public events. She was always a hit. We raised many different breeds over the years, but my favorite personality wise will always be the Nubian. One of our does would even walk us back to the house everynight, and then head back to the barn as soon as she verified we were safely inside. The same goat, Angel, was very protective and did not like to share our attention with the family dog. We never realized how this instinct would kick in though until one day we went on a family hike, mom, my sister, the dog, Angel, and myself. While walking up to visit a neighbor their very aggressive dog managed to escape his kennel and charged my family. My dog, a border collie mutt, tried to protect us but was no match for the 100lb dog. Angel jumped to the reacue and had the dog cowering behind the house before any of the adults had time to react. Now that's a goat!!!!

Did I mention I've been watching for Nubian goat adds.

Ellen

 

[Steve]

I love Pasties....Judy likes em with ketchup....I like em with gravy.

Definately would be a hit at the swap meet/greet.

Siding is delivered, but I am going to see my son for a while. He gets top priority.

I just came in from outside....it sure ain't warmed up much.

 

[vicki2x2]

Quote:
Two things, goats are herd animals, they must have a friend and also, they are so darn cute, you will want AT LEAST TWO because they are SO DARN CUTE!!

: I personally have 6!

They make me laugh daily, so they are worth every penny!

 

[Chickenpal]

Hi All!!!
Welcome to the new ones!!! We have lived in a few places in the UP. Gould City, By Blaney Park, Manistique, and Ishpeming. Like the part about the hunting and fishing all year pretty much. Hated the job situation.
Glad your son is doing alright Steve.

We stopped in to see our grandkids last night and our youngest one is sick. Guess they have all been running high fevers. You hate to see them so miserable.

We never had goats growing up. Lots of everything else. I had a ram sheep that was one of the best watch dogs we ever had. A big grey goose was too.

What a cold and nasty day. Good day to stay inside and relax.
Have a wonderful day everyone!!!!!!!!

Myrna

 

[Steve]

Just got back from seeing Steve Jr. He is feeling fine, sore and tired.....but fine.

He is antsy to get back to work, his boss called him to say they landed another contract so they will continue to have work for some time. He is a Journeyman electrician and has enough time in to take his Masters test.

Sure hasn't warmed up out there much, glad the house is warm.

 

[Daycare Mom]

Glad to hear you son is improving and has work to keep him busy once he is healthy.

I got all the little mutts moved to the other coop. They seem to be doing fine. I still feel guilty about moving them away from their mother, but they are 3 months old and they don't really even stay by her anymore. They will go to their new home in about a month. That means I will have room for new chicks!

DH said I could get goats, but also said that I need to find a really good fence to keep them in. Any suggestions on the best fence?

 

[lauriemike]

hi everyone! I just got started with the forum and just found this little group!

I'm laurie and I live between Tustin & Cadillac. I got my first chicks last spring and I'm hooked. I have Buff Orpingtons (with three bantams of other breeds - Golden Sebright, Cochin and Ameraucana) and want to get some BBS Orps, Marans and Welsummers. I also want some Ameraucanas or Easter Eggers, but have not had good luck so far with them.

My first two Ameraucana chicks were a roo and a pullet with a crossed bill. The roo is now in the freezer after he got too big for his britches and Slacky, the pullet, got to the point where she couldn't eat enough to sustain herself and she died in the summer. After that I got 5 more - 2 big and 3 bantams. One of the bantams died from the stress of being at the show, then traveling then being here. One of the big ones got hit by a hawk (my only hawk loss to date). Of the other two, the other big one, Bertha, turned out to be Bert. Millie, the only one I ever had that actually laid eggs (such cute little blue eggs!) died a couple weeks ago for no reason we could figure. She laid an egg Friday, Sunday morning she was gone. The only one I have left now also turned out to be a roo - Ernie, a bantam. He's doing much better since Bert is gone and no bullying him. Once Bert was gone, he started crowing. He stays away from Papi, the big Buff roo, but he's trying to be bigger than the baby Buffs, who are 2 months old (there are 18 of them).

Today I received a delayed shipment of mixed eggs for hatching. I'm going to put them under a broody Buff and see what happens. I'll also put 4 Buff eggs with them, just so her time won't be wasted if the eggs aren't viable.

If I could have my way we'd have goats, sheep, alpacas and a horse or two. DH keeps talking about extended sailing though, and it's kinda hard to have both...

 

[Chickenpal]

Hi Again!

Got a pizza in the oven and getting ready to call it a day. It has been so cold that you just don't want to be out there.
Welcome to the other new one!! We were up by Cadillac a couple of weeks ago. Pretty country up that way. And sorry to hear about the loss of your chickens. Ours mostly all have names and I am always talking to them. Hubby thinks I'm nuts.

And maybe I am.
Our little grandson is still under the weather. Poor little guy. I try to keep telling myself that Spring will be here soon. Sure am looking forward to it.

Hope the little squirrel gets better. You won't be able to turn him out in the wild that way huh? We have a few out here that likes to play catch me games with our big dog. She would never hurt them, just likes to chase them. There are times they have been nose to nose with each other and she won't harm them.
Pizza is done. Have a good night and wonderful tomorrow.

Myrna

 

[Daycare Mom]

Hey everyone,
Hope everybody had a great day. I got caught up on laundry and did some research on the ducks we want to get. The kids are stuck on getting a white duck with orange feet and bill. So I am thinking a call duck.
Anybody know of any one local that sells ducklings or eggs?

Mom2-that guniea pig is so stinking funny! You really need to get that! I haven't ever seen one like that!