Michigan

[taprock]

1muttsfan - do I see some Welsummers in your flock? I have a pair but don't know enough about them to know if I have good quality birds or not. I guess either way I will hatch out some of their eggs so I can have more of them, they aren't for show.

I'm loving all the pictures! I really love the roosters, I wish there was some reason to keep a flock of roosters. Maybe I could start a new thing and sell them as guard roosters.

... or alarm clocks.

 

[Stacykins]

*sigh* the mice finally think it is winter. I found one in the huge rubbermaid I stack firewood in that is in the garage. Since I started bringing wood into the house to use, I must have brought in enough that he couldn't climb out again. Glad he didn't hitch a ride inside any further. I made it quick, and set up peanut butter baited snap traps in the garage. Too bad my cat is useless, she is kinda dumb so even if she encountered a mouse, she wouldn't do much to it I think. I have video proof that she can be beaten by rats (pet rats, haha).

 

[NovaAman]

I wanna see!

 

[Stacykins]

Quote:
Hehehe, wish granted, the kitty comes in later in the video ! The ratties belong to my former housemate, Kyle, and we knew them since birth since they were an 'oops' litter to a rescue rat I wa temporarily keeping until my sister could take it. He fell in love with the babies and no wonder, they are such sweeties! He actually lets them run free in the room of his apartment since they are cage trained (go back to potty) and they come when called, making it easy to recage them. Their names are Shrew, Panda, and "Gecko Paw" (when this one was just born she had a marking that he thought looked like a Crested Gecko's foot, haha).

 

[1muttsfan]

Good morning michigan, chilly but not freezing here today

Those are welsummers, big pretty girls that lay distinctive dark speckled eggs. I hatched them from eggs from illinois. Opa keeps welsummers too. I didn't keep a roo so no welsummer chicks for me.

 

[judysim1]

Hi Michigan Friends,
I am up here in the far western upper peninsula and have had chickens for almost seven years. We have graduated to cold weather birds and some heritage varieties. We have 30 birds, of which three are roosters and 27 hens. We have 2 coops, with the 2 plus yrs old chickens in one and the younger in the other. We use lights and have been turning them on for about 2 weeks now. Our breeds are Chanteclers, Delawares, Buckeyes, Welsummers, and Cuckoo Marans, with a few variety birds. We love the eggs, the garden fertilizer, the bug catching, and the comedy shows they provide. We also have an Australian Shepherd who herds them up in the evenings or when we need to leave during the day. Her name is Ellie Mae. We also do bees with the top bar method (Warre hives). Chickens eat varroa mites, a pest to the bees. Well, hope to hear from some other Michiganians. Enjoy the late fall, early winter. The Sim's

 

[Stacykins]

Quote:
Ahoy, and welcome aboard! Very cool that you keep bees in addition to chickens. This is my first winter with my two hives (langstroth) so my crossables are crossed that they make it!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi judysim and welcome to byc and the michigan thread

I am in st ignace, also have dels and welsummers. Raz, another michigan thread regular, also keeps bees. Lots of friendly people here to visit with.

 

[M.sue]

Welcome juysm1....... Glad you decided to join us chicken talking people. The Michigan thread has lots of great folks with a lot knowledge, expertise and not to mention a lot of good 'ol humor!!

Well one of my Isa's spent the night outside last night. As I was letting the the gals out into the run, I glanced out the windows and there was Gertty pecking away!

She must of been under the coop.....good hang out with the bales of straw around it!!! With the hawk alert last night and my Roo charging me I forgot to do a head count.

It's a nightly ritual. She gladly joined the others in the run when I opened the door!!

 

[AngelaB]

Quote:
They'll be really hard to find if you are looking for them to buy asap. Turkeys are seasonal layers, laying in the fall and early summer (usually). I read of an odd ball on the turkey subforum that just laid a clutch, but that is really unusual.

I personally got mine as hatching eggs earlier in the year. Just butchered two at 22 weeks ( a tad young for heritage birds like they are) but the carcasses have a nice load of meat on them.

I was hoping to find some now, just because I wanted one ready for Thanksgiving next year. But, if I have to wait, I guess I wait. Thanks