Michigan

[Scrummycat]

Hi Michiganders! I think Spring is finally on the way. My chickens are suddenly a lot more interested in going out to free range. Must be the sunshine.

Anyway, I went to my local Tractor Supply in Howell to get some more Stall Dry, which I like to sprinkle under the bedding in my coop, and they told me they have stopped carrying it. Argh! Does anyone know anyone else in SE Michigan that carries it?

Abbey2140: Sorry about your roo. It sounds like he was a special little guy.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Good Morning everyone-

Briana, sorry to hear about the little silkie.

That just stinks. Hate that once you make it through the stress of incubation, something can go wrong and lose the little puffs.

Its supposed to be a wonderful day again today, but I will be at work. *sigh*
In other news, I think I figured out what this horrible skin-nerve pain is that I have been experiencing. I went to the chiro on Saturday who said I have severe arthritis in my neck and where my ribs join my spine- yeah, I knew that already...and after he practiced ju-jitsu on my spine, I now have a worse back ache...but nothing helped the burning sensation on my side/back. Even air hurts, goosebumps are excruciating and so are clothes. Because I do not want to make the world blind, I will continue to wear clothes.

Well, last night I discovered these weird red welt type bumps on my shoulder. Liquid-filled. I have cooties!!!!!!!!!!
So, I did a little googling. Could it be shingles? The pictures dont look like my cooties, but all the symptoms seem to be like mine.

Wonder if my boss has ever had chicken pox? Guess I will find out this morning.

 

[Mom 2em All]

forgot to ask if anyone here that will be at Chickenstock would be interested in a Black Giant cockerel? Of the four I hatched out, three are more feathered than one, and they have tail feathers already, but not the one.
I am going to say I have three of one sex, and one of another. Which is which has yet to be seen. They were hatched out on February 15th. Going by my track record last year, I seem to hatch out more boys than girls.

ANyhow, if you are interested, let me know.

 

[Opa]

Today looks as though it is going to be a fairly decent day. I've started to see a few patches of ground so in a few more days the snow should be gone. While I will be glad to see the snow out of here it certainly did hide a lot. The spots that are bare sure look sad and there will be much to do to get the yard into a not quite so embarrassing state.

Briana, sorry that the chick didn't make it. Sad when a chick fails to thrive but I think that it is only natures way of eliminating the ones that are defective. I may seem callous but I am not in favor of expending very much effort to save birds, especially chicks. I constantly read of the extraordinary measures, and expense, taken by many to save a bird and usually they have only intensified the feeling of loss due to their efforts.

Yesterday I made great headway on the Hoosier cabinet that I am refinishing. It has horizontally mounted tambour doors and I have just one side to remove the old cloth from. Once that is accomplished I can install new canvas strips and reinstall them in the cabinet. The cabinet is at least 105 years old and it will be a welcomed addition to our kitchen.

I also finished the building the double brooder cover that I thought would be perfect for my wall of cages. I used the thermostats and heating elements from 2 old LG incubators and was very happy with how it looked and was certain that I had taken a great idea to fruition. Unfortunately I think that this calf needs to be lick over again. It appears that it isn't going to produce enough heat to adequate heat the brooders. Oh well, as the say the best laid plans

 

[kassy68]

Quote:
Sorry about your silkie...

 

[kassy68]

SUNS OUT< its big , its bright and its getting closer all the time.. woot. Coffee done, now what.. Shelly1969?? you still here? Were you interested in one of this Lav roos? stop in sometime if ya want to ..

trying to figure out how to make temp breeding pens.. got an amera roo/3 EE hens and lav roo/3 hens.. what do you guys use for breeding areas for a few months ?

 

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
Oh Briana...I'm sorry for your loss.

Was it one of the chicks you just got from me? If it was, that's really strange. Call me if you want to...I'll be home all day.

 

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
Hi Kim!

Yes, I'm still here.

Actually, I did contact you when you first hatched your Lavs. But I'm full up now...I've started up a couple more breeds since last fall. Those roos sure are pretty though. I just don't have the coop space now.

As for a breeding pen...build yourself a portable tractor. They're very easy to build, very economical, and you can move them around. I built 3 of them last summer and even kept birds in them all winter with no problems whatsoever. All you need is some 2x4s, chicken wire, and some steel siding for the roof and sides.

 

[wyliefarms]

Good Morning!

Boy am I sore! I haven't done construction type work in quite awhile! Painting, hauling junk, moving heavy furniture, and the such.

Well, the friends we exposed to chickenpox are starting to get it, so my kids should be real soon then!!!!!

Have a great day and off to get some things accomplished.

Sarah

 

[sevenchickens]

Briana, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine loosing a little one that I've incubated.

Mom2emAll, sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Hope you're better soon and ready for the challenge ahead!!

Shelleyb, would you be able to post a photo of the tractor you built. DH said he would build me one, actually I want 2-3 but I'll tell him that later!!