Michigan

[NovaAman]

I was thinking maybe a cat litter pan type deal to put under the waterer... I have the 3 gallon one, and I think it is just to big to go in the coop period. I put it up on blocks yesterday in the coop, but put a tote lid under those bricks though to help catch any water. Well wetness was not the problem... I don't understand how they can kick shavings that high up!

If you lived closer to me, Angela, I'd give you a coop. Well, its a duck coop, but I think it could be converted easy enough for chickens. Actually, my friend had both her silkies and her ducks in it for the longest time until the township threatened her with a $500 a day per animal, which would have made it $2500 a day! She had Roger and Mark... and they NEVER SHUT UP! So, I got Roger and the ducks just got given to the petting farm we have just outside of town here. But I was thinking it'd make a great feeder station for the winter, but it would also make a nice coop once a wall and divider was added. It has 3 wood sides, but plexi front over half.

BUT NO! You gotta live WAY UP THERE! LOL. No, I would really give it to you if you lived closer.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Hey all,

Checking in, haven't been on this thread in awhile. Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

My crazy hens hatched out 2 chicks this fall. One is a purebred black cochin that I'm 99% sure is a pullet. The other is a barred rock/easter egger cross that has the lovely barred coloring but with his dad's pea comb. 99% sure this one is a cockerel. He was hatched out by a Townline Plymouth barred rock. Never knew she would go broody! QUite a dutiful mama too.

My boyfriend put up a wind turbine on the property between the house and the garden and he's currently building me a potting/gardening shed. This winter he'll begin clearing woods to bring the horses home instead of boarding them.

Anyone in Tri-City/NE Michigan (Arenac, Bay, Gladwin, Ogemaw, Iosco counties) thinking about placing a hatchery order? I'd like some chicks in spring, but don't want that many.

 

[NovaAman]

I am hoping to find someone who wants to go in with me on Faverolles. I'd like to get a dozen and hope to get more pullets than roos. I guess I could order them sexed... OR go to Muskegon and buy chicks. That might be cheaper...

 

[AngelaB]

Quote:
Thanks for the offer though. Where are you located? I am near Flint.

Also, I think I have 2 chickens laying now!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Quote:

My BR's have finally started laying.

michickenwrangler, good to see you back! We have missed you.

My two babies are 8 weeks old now...Herbie and his sibling the un named Delawegger.

 

[AngelaB]

Quote:

My BR's have finally started laying.

michickenwrangler, good to see you back! We have missed you.

My two babies are 8 weeks old now...Herbie and his sibling the un named Delawegger.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/27698_100_5925.jpg
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/27698_100_5918.jpg

Very cute!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

So I wait all spring and summer for a broody hen. Then winter is knocking on the door and I have had 4 hens go broody in the last couple of months. First it was the mom to the above babies. Then I had another Delaware go broody I could not break her but then I sold her to someone wanting Dels. Then a NH went broody and the next day an Ameracuna went broody. I managed to break the NH but the Ameracuna, she screams at me every thime she sees me.
She is on one little blue egg.

 

[1muttsfan]

Well I understand now why people come to florida in the winter, it is beautiful here. We have gone fishing every day, here is the haul from yesterday - sheepsheads they are so odd, they have teeth!

Had a great thanksgiving meal that I did not have to cook, and have had lots of fabulous seafood.Couldn't ask for more.

Msue I put my waterer in the coop every winter, no mess and very little moisture. It is on top of 2 cement blocks and a heated base. Above it I put a piece of cardboard to keep them from stand on, pooping in, or knocking over the waterer.

 

[Opa]

Prison fish? Don't know that I'd want to eat a fish looks like it might have committed a felony.

I know it's a little late to post this but I guess we can just chalk it up as just one more example of age deficit, how many of you that fixed turkey for Thanksgiving? I've been brining ours for many years and it is well worth the effort. The bird cooks in half the time and more importantly, it is more moist and tastes better.

 

[M.sue]

Love the pics of chickens & those fish. Shrimp is my all time favorite though.

Nova and 1muttsfan.....both good ideas but I think I'm gonna try to put mine out in the pen like snowflake is doing. Might even try using one of those heated bases. Pen is covered & wrapped in plastic and I have to go out there every night any how to lock up so I think I'll just empty it and refill in the morning when I go out back out. It's no more work than I'm already doing. Being my first winter with chickens I guess it'll be a season of trial & error.

I didn't go near the stores yesterday but I did venture out today. Today was "Support Your Small Business Saturday" so I headed downtown to support my cousin who owns a little shop and stopped into a couple others.