Michigan

[SillyChicken]

Thanks Opa, do you know much about using soap on the trees?

 

[swampducks]

Yeah, it is. We've just gotten much less than normal with really warm temps all winter. Heck, winter didn't really arrive till January in my locale which is in the northeast part of the mitten. And then we'd get 2-4 inches, then 40 degrees to melt it, sort of a yo-yo effect. Makes driving a lot easier and walking safer. About 3 years ago I slipped on the ice in my driveway and gave myself a concussion. So, I've been enjoying this warm winter.

I suppose next winter we'll probably go back to getting temps below 0 again. As soon as La Nina goes away.

But isn't snow rather normal there in the winter?? Not here we are the swamp of the west.

 

[swampducks]

What is a lavender chicken?

Since you are not too far from me, I can pick you up or you come to my place, and we can go to chickenstock together.

 

[RIRJen]

RIR- will you be coming to chicken stock?

Yes, I'll be there....is there a list already for it? Hard to believe we're thinking about June already! I'll hopefully have a bunch of silkies/showgirls with me. Looks like this year I might not have to run back and forth between a rabbit show and Chickenstock, so far there isn't a show listed for that day!

 

[b737drvr]

1muttsfan, I probably could wait until Chickenstock, but there is no guarantee that I will be able to make it it there, and I am one of those Type A personalities, impatient, impulsive, overbearing, arrogant...etc, blah, blah...but thanks. My job is a little uncertain through the summer, and may have to be out of state during that time. If I do decide to wait that long, you may see me there! It really isn't that much longer than if I order my choices from a hatchery.

fuzzybuttlove, Thanks for the info on the waterers and feeders. Will keep my eyes open. We have several bottoms to 50 gal plastic barrels that have already been cut in half...wonder if I could cut them down just a little more and if they would work? Don't you have problems with the hens jumping in and then pooping? I already have Gail Demerow's book, Raising Chickens. I think this is her most recent and I remember reading stuff about space, water, requirements, etc. It has been very informative.

Opa Thanks for that info. I assume that the spray that you spray on at this time of year is just a dormant season oil?

 

[chicken grandma]

Welcome B737drvr!

So glad you joined us! Here is a thought as you choose breeds. I would pick your top three breeds, then make sure those breeds are compatible with each other by asking the old timers here if they get on well together. Then I would get at least 4 of each breed.
You will notice that the chickens will hang out with their own breed and that each breed will have slightly different preferences and needs.

Like most of us you will lose some to illness and predators so I would get a few extras chickens. People who have just one of every kind of chicken and create a very mixed flock have reported that there is a lot of pecking on the bantams and more docile chickens. Having several chickens of a couple equally solid/hardy breeds might make a trouble free flock for you. Well, not trouble free.... but less trouble! Good luck!

 

[babigyrl22]

I had a fun morning at Shady Side Farm (which is also Critter Barn...who knew!). There were lots of sheep and two shearers working doubly hard. I was bundled up from head to toe and they were in t-shirts sweating their butts off. Fun experience. They also had some wool spinners and art makers there you could learn a little from too. So I picked up some wool to add to my spinning practice stash.

However, my biggest buy today was this adorable new egg basket :: squeals with girlie delight! :: (sorry boys) It's from Target (in the cheapy section for $2.50 and also comes in green).

 

[chicken grandma]

Jaime! I am getting one of those egg baskets tomorrow! Target here I come!

Farmerboy - if your flock has MG again, and I hope they do not, then perhaps the wild birds in your area are carrying it or it is still in the environment around your farm. My vet warned me to wait through the Winter before bringing any new chickens onto our property. He felt the freezing and the passing of time was important in killing the bacteria we had (E.Coli) and the virus that may have started the problem. This Winter was so puny that I am not confident any bacteria was killed in my back yard. Also - sand can be eaten by chickens and they can get a digestive tract impaction. I was told by our vet that pine shavings is the best bedding and with proper ventilation and cleaning to prevent ammonia build up, it should be just fine.

 

[NovaAman]

Pretty basket.

target is also right around the corner from me. Lol.


I do not feel like working any more today.

 

[RaZ]

Welcome B737drvr!

So glad you joined us! Here is a thought as you choose breeds. I would pick your top three breeds, then make sure those breeds are compatible with each other by asking the old timers here if they get on well together. Then I would get at least 4 of each breed.
You will notice that the chickens will hang out with their own breed and that each breed will have slightly different preferences and needs.

Like most of us you will lose some to illness and predators so I would get a few extras chickens. People who have just one of every kind of chicken and create a very mixed flock have reported that there is a lot of pecking on the bantams and more docile chickens. Having several chickens of a couple equally solid/hardy breeds might make a trouble free flock for you. Well, not trouble free.... but less trouble! Good luck!

That is good advice. When I started this project last year I did quite a bit of research and decided on Langshan, Orpingtons and Australorps.[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]
I only wanted 1 of each considering that chickens are illegal here. However, TSC had a 6 chick minimum so I bought 6 "Langshans". Turned out that the young lady had no idea what breeds were what and was just going by the shipping order check sheet she had. Darn birds turned out to be Leghorns and cockerals to boot. Then I went to a different TSC and got good advice from the store manager who also raises chickens. She hooked me up with Black Sex Link pullets and Buff Orpingtons. I've been very happy with these birds.

Like mentioned, I lost a few birds and gained a few birds. I still have 6 but they are 4 different breeds. Possibly 5 if the 2 Uggos had different fathers. Pecking order has not been a major issue, but my lone bantam seems to get bulldozed quite a bit. Both of the 10 week old Uggos are now bigger than she is. (A pair of BLAs might be nice)