Michigan

[vicki2x2]

Definitely dogs are your best protection, they hate dogs. We had house dogs, but then only went out into kennel off our back porch to go potty and then back in the house. Since we got our LGD (livestock guardian dog) we haven't lost anything. Before that, the fox got several ducklings, some adult muscovy hens that had their wings clipped before we got them and was out in our backyard several mornings a week trying to catch breakfast! Since Remi arrived, no casualties and no more fox sightings. We had a den close, because by last summer the "pups" were out in the field playing and learning to hunt. Now they have moved on, thankfully!

 

[MrsChickendad]

We are between Flint and Durand and have lots of fox. There is a den in our back field and the neighbor has some too. They have killed 3 of our cats, and we keep the brush cut back from around the coops so they don't come up into the open. Last year, one came up to the edge of the field and the hens all ran out to greet it. Luckily it was young and didn't quite know what to do about being rushed by the chickens. But they do seem to have a taste for kitties! We keep our cats in the house now.

 

[sevenchickens]

Quote:
I haven't purchased any birds from them but have met Joni she seems very nice and genuinely cares about her birds.


Someone just needs to stop me. I went to TSC today to get another heat lamp with my two little girls and they had 3 lonely bantams (I have no idea what kind) that my girls talked me into. I do have to admit it wasn't a difficult thing to do. Then went over to LFS to pick up my 2 Dorkings and walked out of there with 5 more chicks. So now I have a total of 16 chicks that is double my current flock and in addition I'm hatching eggs with my daughters class...

HELP!! I need another coop!!

 

[briana1975]

sevenchickens you sound like me. We do have new coop areas going up though.

I fogot to tell you guys. My broody serama hatched her lone little egg. Doing well and she shows it off the the other broody. I have 2 other seramas that I hatched in the house should I put them with the other broody? She is sitting on wood shavings.

 

[Ferrret]

Haven't checked in here in a while. Been busy with school and for the past few days BF and I have been building a coop.
It's about 40% finished now and looks like there won't be any more work done until the rain stops. We have been painting it with a good protective paint as we put it together, and it was supposed to get an all over coat today, but lightning and rain don't mix well with paint. The frame, floor and 3 walls are up. Still have to put on the front wall after cutting out the pop door, and the roof. After a few the main building is up we'll focus on adding windows, screening vents and putting up the roosts and nest box.

We are still looking at chickens to get and we're set on having some Silkies but we aren't sure about other breeds. We want docile, quiet birds so the neighbors won't be disturbed. I like Easter Eggers, Brahmas, and Lakenvelder and BF is liking American Game, Campine and Frizzle/Sizzle.
Any suggestions on good birds to get? We only have space for a Maximum of 6 hens and 2 will be Silkies.

 

[LoveMyChicklets]

Hi Ferret. We have a lot of different breeds but all in all these are so quiet I don't even know they are there:

Silver Laced Wyandottes
Easter Eggers
Barred Rock

My Sex-links are super noisy as is my Turken. However, my Buff Orpingtons seem to be pretty quiet also.

 

[briana1975]

I agree with lovemychicklets on the Buff Orpingtons and EE. My Barred Rocks are second in noise next to my top noisest the silkies. All my silkies are loud mouthy chickens, which is funny cause they are so small and sweet.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

Quote:
It looks like Genessee county was getting pounded by a severe storm. We had some thunderstorms today with a little lightning. It sure has greened everything up around here! We got a lot of rain during the night, too.

 

[Whatshisface]

Quote:
Yeah…somehow I don’t think my 3lb Chihuahua counts. You’re probably talking about a real dog. Actually, we did have some fox in my area for a little while, until the coyotes moved in. It seems to me ever since the coyotes moved in a few years ago we haven’t seen a wild turkey, wild rabbit or a fox. Of course, I haven’t heard a coyote howl in a while, so maybe they’ve moved on.

 

[Ferrret]

Yeah Genessee got a ton of rain earlier. The rain seems to have moved on for now and the streets are drying but that's about it. I'm a little north of Flint right now, spending spring break with BF and there was a severe storm watch until 3pm. Not sure if they ended the watch or extended it. Also saw some reports of hail and tornadoes over by Lansing. More rainy storm weather should be moving in all week, at least that's what it said the last time I checked the Weather Channel.

BF did like the look of Wyandottes. He seems to like the colorful looking hens over the plain looking ones. I think if we got Wyandottes they would be golden over silver, mostly because BF seems to lean more toward bright colors than whites.