Michigan

[ChicwannaB]

Quote:
Morning Opa...I didn't sleep all night, eggcited about hearing from a fella about getting some new girls.

 

[Opa]

Adding to your flock is alway exciting. Remember to quarantine the newbies, even healthy looking birds can be a problem.

 

[ChicwannaB]

Quote:
Yes, what a bummer that always is.
I have developed a sparrow problem in the kennel/coop due to chicken feed I think. Must scrap all the nests out of the cubby holes where the roof meets the walls, then board the areas up. I try catching them in the fish net but they zoom too fast.

Love this Michigan weather huh??

 

[Opa]

CWB, look into using a sparrow trap. They are amazingly effective. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200374053_200374053

 

[Olive Hill]

Hello outdoor junkie! I'm wondering what breed the black ones are. Could they be Black Copper Marans? If you don't have any luck with anyone else taking them, I may be interested in the black ones, if you wouldn't mind separating them.

If they came from a hatchery/feed store they're more likely Black Sex Links.​

 

[babigyrl22]

Morning all

Freckles passed away this morning.

MSU has already contacted me back and they didn't think it was infectious disease or parasites. They believe it was a hiccup in her reproductive system which, i guess, is likely to happen in newly laying birds and that there was no danger to the rest of my flock. So I guess that's good. They were really nice and prompt.

I posted this in the Emergencies section and it's nice to see that people are willing to help. Thank you Olive for offering your advice.

 

[ChicwannaB]

Quote:
Oh what a mess!!!! I don't think DH EVER cleaned the sparrows or their debris out of this kennel as long as he's had it. Poor dogs thats lived out there all these years.

I have the whole west side cleaned out but I don't kjnow how much of that C**P I've inhaled and eaten and I still have the east side to do. About 3 nests and I have to go dump the 5 gallon bucket on the burn pile. Ive ousted at least 2 dozen sparrows. I have to step OUT after each one is dug out, the dust thats flying and tiny tiny feathers and junk is just awful. I think it'll take a year to settle.

I just came in to see if outdoor junkie had come back on yet.

 

[Opa]

I finally remembered the type of horticulture beans I planted. They were called "Tongue of Fire" and originally came for Terra del Fuego.

 

[babigyrl22]

Quote:
Oh what a mess!!!! I don't think DH EVER cleaned the sparrows or their debris out of this kennel as long as he's had it. Poor dogs thats lived out there all these years.

I have the whole west side cleaned out but I don't kjnow how much of that C**P I've inhaled and eaten and I still have the east side to do. About 3 nests and I have to go dump the 5 gallon bucket on the burn pile. Ive ousted at least 2 dozen sparrows. I have to step OUT after each one is dug out, the dust thats flying and tiny tiny feathers and junk is just awful. I think it'll take a year to settle.

I just came in to see if outdoor junkie had come back on yet.

Do you have a shop vac or a leaf blower? It might make your work easier. I hope you are wearing a dust mask. I wouldn't want to see you get sick.

 

[RaZ]

This is Gary. Picture taken 2 years ago after his parents brought him to this neighborhood.

Gary, last year. Quite the handsome bird I think. I didn't see much of him over the summer, which was just as well since I had the chicks outside.

I know many of you do not like to see a bird of prey around, but I'm glad to have him. He can dine on sparrows and mice all day long. I have not seen him try for a pigeon so I'm thinking that my chickens are too big to tackle.