Michigan

[ChicwannaB]

Quote:
The Vet from John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids told me that the animals do much better since they switched to full spectrum lights. He recommended that I get a full specturm light in my coop during the winter daytime. It really seemed to make my hens happier and more active. I will do that again this year.

I had wanted to raise a heritage turkey or two and when checking into it discovered that chickens can get a diesease called "black head" which is FATAL to turkeys, so I dropped the idea. Id have to raise them in the same fenced area so they'd all be close together. I don't remember where I was when I read it, but please research before you do, and let me know if you also find it.

 

[NovaAman]

OH NO!! Sorry, should have been more clear, they are wild turkeys! No, I wouldn't raise turkeys, there crap is as big as my dogs! YUCK. Wouldn't wanna clean that up. Not that I have a problem with turkeys... Real good eating there, but I just do not want to raise them. I like my chickens.

 

[babigyrl22]

Let's make sure we keep this conversation respectful (not that I am saying that anyone hasn't been) because this conversation is beneficial to all of us. Everyone has their opinions but in a debate such as this one it is better to look at what the act actually says. I really don't have a side but if that dreadful day shall come people should know what their rights are as citizens of this state.

So, if we are going to talk about MRTFA, let us start with the definitions, shall we?

286.472 Definitions.

Sec. 2.

As used in this act:


(a) “Farm” means the land, plants, animals, buildings, structures, including ponds used for agricultural or aquacultural activities, machinery, equipment, and other appurtenances used in the commercial production of farm products.
(b) “Farm operation” means the operation and management of a farm or a condition or activity that occurs at any time as necessary on a farm in connection with the commercial production, harvesting, and storage of farm products, and includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Marketing produce at roadside stands or farm markets.

(ii) The generation of noise, odors, dust, fumes, and other associated conditions.

(iii) The operation of machinery and equipment necessary for a farm including, but not limited to, irrigation and drainage systems and pumps and on-farm grain dryers, and the movement of vehicles, machinery, equipment, and farm products and associated inputs necessary for farm operations on the roadway as authorized by the Michigan vehicle code, Act No. 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, being sections 257.1 to 257.923 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(iv) Field preparation and ground and aerial seeding and spraying.

(v) The application of chemical fertilizers or organic materials, conditioners, liming materials, or pesticides.

(vi) Use of alternative pest management techniques.

(vii) The fencing, feeding, watering, sheltering, transportation, treatment, use, handling and care of farm animals.

(viii) The management, storage, transport, utilization, and application of farm by-products, including manure or agricultural wastes.

(ix) The conversion from a farm operation activity to other farm operation activities.

(x) The employment and use of labor.

(c) “Farm product” means those plants and animals useful to human beings produced by agriculture and includes, but is not limited to, forages and sod crops, grains and feed crops, field crops, dairy and dairy products, poultry and poultry products, cervidae, livestock, including breeding and grazing, equine, fish, and other aquacultural products, bees and bee products, berries, herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers, seeds, grasses, nursery stock, trees and tree products, mushrooms, and other similar products, or any other product which incorporates the use of food, feed, fiber, or fur, as determined by the Michigan commission of agriculture.

(d) “Generally accepted agricultural and management practices” means those practices as defined by the Michigan commission of agriculture. The commission shall give due consideration to available Michigan department of agriculture information and written recommendations from the Michigan state university college of agriculture and natural resources extension and the agricultural experiment station in cooperation with the United States department of agriculture natural resources conservation service and the consolidated farm service agency, the Michigan department of natural resources, and other professional and industry organizations.

(e) “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or other legal entity.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,1607,7-125-1566_2311_2313-13052--,00.html


I dunnnooooo... in reading this....I don't see why little operation can't be considered a "farm operation". Of course it would have been really helpful if those that wrote this act defined what is NOT a farm. Don't ya think?
Let's discusss

 

[babigyrl22]

Quote:
I have an ongoing internal debate about whether or not I would want turkeys. Crap as big as dogs eh....that might be a deal breaker.

 

[ChicwannaB]

Quote:
I have an ongoing internal debate about whether or not I would want turkeys. Crap as big as dogs eh....that might be a deal breaker.

I use a 2gallon aluminum pail and a broken handled garden tool, walk around my 1 acre yard about once a week and pick up what labrador poohs I can find, also IF I can spot the terrier doodoos, it's usually 3/4 full when Im done. Labs pooh big.

 

[dianaross77]

Quote:
I have an ongoing internal debate about whether or not I would want turkeys. Crap as big as dogs eh....that might be a deal breaker.

I use a 2gallon aluminum pail and a broken handled garden tool, walk around my 1 acre yard about once a week and pick up what labrador poohs I can find, also IF I can spot the terrier doodoos, it's usually 3/4 full when Im done. Labs pooh big.

Our boxer/bullmastiff's favorite place to leave her giant piles of dung is right up against the fence. I can't tell you how many piles of crap my husband and I stepped in while putting in the new privacy fence.

 

[NovaAman]

I am serious! They really doo! (pun inteneded)

Imagine 40 wild turkeys coming thru the yard everyday to scratch up what ever they can, and they are trained to come in the snow... smart birds. Well anyway, so, I snow blow their area when the snow gets to high and I tell you what, thats a lot of poop!

 

[NovaAman]

I don't clean dog doo. Something eats it, and no it isn't the dogs.... But what ever is eating it, THANK YOU! LOL

 

[Stacykins]

Quote:
The Vet from John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids told me that the animals do much better since they switched to full spectrum lights. He recommended that I get a full specturm light in my coop during the winter daytime. It really seemed to make my hens happier and more active. I will do that again this year.

I had wanted to raise a heritage turkey or two and when checking into it discovered that chickens can get a diesease called "black head" which is FATAL to turkeys, so I dropped the idea. Id have to raise them in the same fenced area so they'd all be close together. I don't remember where I was when I read it, but please research before you do, and let me know if you also find it.

Black head disease can be passed onto turkeys. But a lot of people do keep turkeys will chickens. I think it is a huge issue if the two species are kept in cramped conditions so manure builds up. I have three turkey toms (luck of the hatching eggs), one Spanish Black and two Blue Slate. They live, roost, and run with the chickens. They all free range though, and I keep the coop nice n clean. I ADORE the turkeys personalities, though! They are soo sweet and inquisitive. And their gobbles, I just laugh every single time they gobble since it is such a funny noise! They act as the flock guardians, always keep an eye out for the chickens. They were hatched at the same time and raised with the chickens, so I guess they think they are chickens.

 

[ChicwannaB]

Quote:
EEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW