Michigan

[michickenwrangler]

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Yeah, I wasn't worried about it being toxic...just that they'd be dumb enough to gorge themselves on it!

I decided what the heck and put some in yesterday and they didn't seem to notice a difference. I did put hay down on top of it too. It's not teeny-tiny paper...just like 2" strips. I have an unlimited supply and thought I'd see how it worked.
I have soooo many plans this summer for my birds! I'm going to put up a new double-coop! And hopefully, with the addition of my new rabbit barn, will be looking for some really nice silkies at chickenstock!

I'd love to find some show quality Bearded blue-splash silkies...I'd be looking for about 6-12 hens and a Roo. (or young pullets and a cockerel)

There's someone in Rives Junction who posts on CL with her silkies and they look fantastic...I might contact her but wanted to see if anyone on here had some nice ones too.

Speaking of Silkies...since they don't fly do you have to supply perches for them in the coop or just have something for them to go into? Just curious...never had a banty breed before!

@Jen - the lady in Rives Junction's name is Vickie, she's very nice. I got all my silkies and cochins from her, very nice quality birds. Idk about show quality just bc I've never looked into those sort of things. She has some marans coming in a few weeks and I'm pretty excited about that! Also she is very decently priced and definitely didn't overcharge me.

My cochins came from Vickie as well. Very nice lady and good quality cochins. Her stock came from Duane Urch and while she doesn't show, she does breed to standard.

These hens were all bred by Vickie

 

[MrsChickendad]

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Contact Mich Dept of Agriculture, Animal Industry Division, PO Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909. Probably have info on website, also: www.michigan.gov.
They should have a list of certified pullorum testers in your area.

If you don't have an NPIP number, there is an initial fee of $25 (or $10 for a renewal). Most testers charge a set amount for each bird they do, but it is up to the individual. The antigen is about $100 a bottle, plus other equipment and supplies, so it can be expensive to do if you have a lot of birds. MSU offers a testing certification class that you can take to get certified. I have taken it, but haven't had any extra $$ for the antigen, especially since I didn't have anything to show. Now I need to get it done.

This info was current as of last year at this time.

 

[Mom 2em All]

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This is my second year of looking for a bearded blue-splash silkie pullet. If you find one that isnt quite up to the show-standards you want, let me know.

Hopefully there are a bunch at Chickenstock!
My silkies never roosted but had the option to do so if they wanted to pretend they were real chickens. They never did.

 

[Opa]

Sarah from Wileyfarms, in Fowlerville, has her NPIP testing certification. That reminds me. I haven't seen a post from her in quite some time. I'd better give her a call and check on how they are doing.

While it still is cold outside, it sure is nice to see that most of the snow has melted and the forecasters are calling for 50 and possibly 60 degree temperatures later this week. I for one don't mind not having the snow gone from my yard. Even if the accumulation of winter's detris mean more work for me it's still nice being able to get outside. I think I'll have at least a week's worth of work cleaning the yard. Wind deposited trash and fallen branches litter the yard and it looks horrible. Snow certainly hides alot doesn't it?

102 days until Chickenstock. Have you signed up yet? I'm sure there are many who are waiting to join until they are sure you are coming.

 

[SillyChicken]

I know what you mean about the snow hiding stuff..... I spent several hours Sunday cleaning up dog poop and with 4 mastiffs..... thats alot!

So......... anyone want a beagle? It's time for this little guy to get a new home. I don't think his owners are even looking for him which is sad. He definatly hasn't had any training or been worked with at all. I think he spent his life on the end of a chain and thats it. (maybe it's good he's been abandoned).

 

[Opa]

Maybe it's just me, but I've never liked seeing wallets or dogs on chains.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Is it EVER going to end?

Frida, the LF partridge cochin hen in the picture above died this morning. Not sure what from. Crop felt fine, pelvic area soft and supple, a little bit of diarrhea on her vent feathers (but all my cochins have that a bit). Head was still on her body, curled against her breast while she was sleeping.

Olive, no partridge babies this year. I wish I could have gotten at least a chick or two from her, but it's not to be.

Will my luck ever pick up? I want the death around me to stop!

 

[gallinamama]

Call me simple minded... but what is a NPIP certification?

Quote:

 

[Opa]

The US Department of Agriculture established a program called "National Poultry Improvement Plan" which calls for testing of poultry for pullorum and thypoid.

WHAT IS PULLORUM DISEASE?
This disease could completely destroy our commercial industry as well as
your beautiful flock of poultry in your own backyard. Once just one bird
becomes infected we are all in trouble.
Protect us all by becoming a member of your state National Poultry
Improvement Plan.
Get your membership card and be very proud to show it.
Pullorum disease is an acute or chronic infectious, bacterial disease affecting primarily
chickens and turkeys, but most domestic and wild fowl can be infected.
The cause is a bacterium named Salmonella pullorum. This organism is primarily egg
transmitted, but transmission may occur by other means such as:
? Infected hen to egg, egg to chick, or chick to chick in incubator, chick box,
brooder, or house. Survivors become infected breeders (cycle begins
again)
? Mechanical transmission (carried around on clothes, shoes or equipment),
? Carrier birds (apparently healthy birds shed the disease organisms),
? Contaminated premises (from previous outbreaks).
? Disease organisms may enter the bird through the respiratory (as in the
incubator) or digestive systems.
? Most outbreaks of acute pullorum disease in chickens or turkeys result
from infection while in the hatchery.
? Pullorum disease is highly fatal to young chicks or poults, but mature
birds are more resistant. Young birds may die soon after hatching without
exhibiting any observable signs. Most acute outbreaks occur in birds that
are under three weeks of age. Mortality in such outbreaks may approach
ninety percent if untreated. Survivors are usually stunted and unthrifty.

 

[Jared77]

Found this today when I was out walking around the property. They were planted last year.

To me and my family its the first real sign of spring and I thought to share them with all my Michiganders on here who probably could use a confirmation that spring is almost here!