Michigan

[vicki2x2]

Heard a cute joke today! Why does a chicken coop only have two doors? ................................... because if it had 4 doors it would be a chicken sedan!!

 

[RIRJen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh5FqXb_NoU
Here's a link to a video I took of my chickies...all but the 7 I'm keeping leave this weekend!

And I have more in the incubator

 

[Olive Hill]

So, anybody keep Polish? My mom bought some last year, she keeps a pet flock for eggs and entertainment -- like many people -- and thought they looked neat. My husband saw them though and absolutely loved them. He's mentioned a few times since that it would be neat to have some. And again the other night he said he'd like some, but "only if it won't be too much hassle for you, honey"

What I'm looking for is just general experiences, as a breed, about their hardiness, street smarts, etc.

In a nutshell, our flock free-ranges dawn to dusk 365 days a year. And that is not up for negotiation. I pen only in case of special breeding needs -- e.g. the different breeds of geese for a bit in the spring -- isolation, etc. So they need to be hardy, smart enough to range around, eat, drink, be merry, seek shade when they're hot, shelter when they're cold, etc.

Thoughts? Yay? Nay? I'll get them for him if they won't be a hassle, but I'm not in a position to take on anything more than what I've got now so if they'll be "high maintenance" he's just going to have to wait.

 

[gotweim]

I, personally, don't have any but I looked them up in a book I had and it does say they are relatively tolerant of the cold, they lay white eggs, docile, and non-broody.

Very cool looking chickens!!

 

[newchickky]

we use to have a polish hen at the Detroit zoo. She didn't get any special treatment, and they were outside everyday of the year, and locked up at nights. During the day she would be found sitting on the backs of the sheep, I am assuming, she figured out, it kept her feet warm. She was hilarious to watch. I would like one or more too!

 

[Olive Hill]

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Thanks for the response! I'm glad to hear it.

Our chickens ride around on the hogs even in the summer. Apparently livestock make superior roosting spots.

 

[chickflick]

I have a bantam Polish, oh, please don't let her know she's a bantam, tho. She thinks she's a big girl. I do have a bantam coop that she's locked up at night, but if my hens are free ranging she's right with them. She pushes her way in for treat time. She has a very funny personality and doesn't seem to mind this cold weather. In the morning, she looks out her window and yells at me for her treat or to open the pop door! Sure enjoy her antics.

 

[Olive Hill]

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Reminds me of my DD's little d'Uccle. She's the only little bantam out here but she doesn't seem to notice. A lot of times she can be found hanging out with the geese. And she's got a big personality, too. Sometimes too big. Yesterday we went out to lock everyone up a little early for the night, so we didn't have to do it in the brunt of the storm everybody -- including the turkeys who normally don't go inside -- went right in like we wanted. Everybody but Bella, who went under the deck instead. And then we're all calling her to come out and she's just a chattering away at us, but do you think she'd COME? Nope. And then she went to sleep. We're all right there trying to get her out and she tucks her little head and goes to sleep.

Oh, brother. Finally had to stick a long stick under there and force her out.

Wait... what was I saying about high maintenance chickens, again?

 

[Water Pixie]

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Reminds me of my DD's little d'Uccle. She's the only little bantam out here but she doesn't seem to notice. A lot of times she can be found hanging out with the geese. And she's got a big personality, too. Sometimes too big. Yesterday we went out to lock everyone up a little early for the night, so we didn't have to do it in the brunt of the storm everybody -- including the turkeys who normally don't go inside -- went right in like we wanted. Everybody but Bella, who went under the deck instead. And then we're all calling her to come out and she's just a chattering away at us, but do you think she'd COME? Nope. And then she went to sleep. We're all right there trying to get her out and she tucks her little head and goes to sleep.

Oh, brother. Finally had to stick a long stick under there and force her out.

Wait... what was I saying about high maintenance chickens, again?

I have a little d'Uccle just like that, Snickerdoodle she is spoiled! she likes to stand on my shoulder as I go around feeding everyone. If I put her down to fill up a water fountain she voices her disapproval.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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