Michigan

[Juise]

Oh, and about ants! We pretty well live in the middle of a giant ant hill, so I am dealing with them all the time in warm weather.

In your case, knowing what they were specifically after, this should help tremendously, I would hope. Dissolve white vinegar in water, about half and half, and wipe down all the areas in which you have seen them. I often put the mixture in a spray bottle to clean with. The smell of vinegar repels ants, and this will also destroy their scent trails, which is how they find their way back.

You can also leave them a tray of Borax, mixed in equal parts with something sweet, like syrup, honey, or sugar water.

After wiping down the cabinet that they were getting into with vinegar water, throw a couple bay leaves in there to help keep them away. Clove and peppermint oils also help repel them and other pests as well, such as grain moths. You can dissolve just a bit of them in water to apply.

 

[uchytil]

For those that are interested in processing your own birds, the Michigan 4-H Poultry Palooza may be of interest. My family attended last year and it was rather fascinating. For the Market Broiler competition, birds are judged live and then processed and judged dressed out. A guy from Ada, Michigan was there with his Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker mounted on a trailer to process the birds. He was unable to use the plucker because the gfci's installed at the fairgrounds kept popping so he processed the birds by hand (a couple of the 4-H'ers did their own birds). He had his kill cones, dip tank set up over a burner, and processing table. He was super informative (and talkative which DH loved!) and answered all of our questions. My DD (age 7) really wanted to help pluck the birds ~ I just didn't want to ride home for an hour with her smelling like scalded chicken

so I said no (mean mom).

The 2012 Chicken Palooza is being held on April 28 at the Gratiot County Fairgrounds. Not sure if it will be the same processor, but should be a similar set-up. http://expeng.anr.msu.edu/uploads/files/79/2012 Poultry Palooza Catalog.pdf

I really wanted to see the plucker in action because I am convinced I could build one from an old washing machine. The processor is a stay-at-home-dad and will come right to your house to do your chickens. He has a minimum fee that he charges to cover his costs/gas, I can't remember specifically what it was but when I did the math on the per chicken cost, it was super reasonable. He was also willing to do multiple people's birds at one location (like have a central location and people bring their birds). Just a thought. I am sure that I will remember his name in the middle of the night (stuff just keeps bouncing around in my head until the answer pops out...usually at 2am). Otherwise the state 4-H office would have his contact information.

No matter how often I watch I never get the results other people do. All of the duck hunting I do ends up being skinned out, as are my upland birds. I take my meat birds to an Amish farm and they do everything for a buck a bird. I think the rate may increase this year. Anyway, even watching them makes it look so easy. They even bag any other part you want.

 

[M.sue]

For those that are interested in processing your own birds, the Michigan 4-H Poultry Palooza may be of interest. My family attended last year and it was rather fascinating. For the Market Broiler competition, birds are judged live and then processed and judged dressed out. A guy from Ada, Michigan was there with his Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker mounted on a trailer to process the birds. He was unable to use the plucker because the gfci's installed at the fairgrounds kept popping so he processed the birds by hand (a couple of the 4-H'ers did their own birds). He had his kill cones, dip tank set up over a burner, and processing table. He was super informative (and talkative which DH loved!) and answered all of our questions. My DD (age 7) really wanted to help pluck the birds ~ I just didn't want to ride home for an hour with her smelling like scalded chicken

so I said no (mean mom).

The 2012 Chicken Palooza is being held on April 28 at the Gratiot County Fairgrounds. Not sure if it will be the same processor, but should be a similar set-up. http://expeng.anr.msu.edu/uploads/files/79/2012 Poultry Palooza Catalog.pdf

I really wanted to see the plucker in action because I am convinced I could build one from an old washing machine. The processor is a stay-at-home-dad and will come right to your house to do your chickens. He has a minimum fee that he charges to cover his costs/gas, I can't remember specifically what it was but when I did the math on the per chicken cost, it was super reasonable. He was also willing to do multiple people's birds at one location (like have a central location and people bring their birds). Just a thought. I am sure that I will remember his name in the middle of the night (stuff just keeps bouncing around in my head until the answer pops out...usually at 2am). Otherwise the state 4-H office would have his contact information.

This would be something to do & see and it's not that far to travel to. Last chicken palooza I was to I was about 5 yrs. old. My Grandfather, Father and 2 Great Uncles along with a few with cousins slaughtered 300 chickens for my cousins wedding! Now that a production to see!

 

[b737drvr]

I placed my order for a 3/12 hatch date back on Dec. 1st. Got an e-mail that they have been shipped and should arrive tomorrow or the next day, yeah! I ordered 4 EE's, 2 WEL's, 2 DOM's, and 2 GLW's. Can hardly wait for them to arrive, brooder is all set and ready for them.

That is awesome! You sound way more organized than me. I don't think I could ever plan something 3 months out. I feel good when I schedule something a week out. That is why now that I am about ready to order...now they are pushed back in to May and early June hatch dates. You probably won't be able to sleep now till those chix get there!

 

[NovaAman]

Wow! Did not know that about the chamomile tea. That is good to know especially with the boys. I like the ant treatment too. I am going to give that a try.

We get these ugly bugs, I don't know what they are, but they move slow, hard to kill unless you whack them with something real hard, always seem to come in the house in the fall and spring, blackish-brown things, with legs that look like they were designed with an erector set... Those are the ones I hate.

I got the coop done. All nice and fresh. Gotta do the birds tonight. That will be more fun... Also, even with the over cast sky, still got some more spring cleaning done out there. I took the plastic off the north and south side of the run. Took the lights out too. I left only one light in actually, and changed the littles light in their coop to a 75 wt light. I took their light out all together, but then they wouldn't go up in the coop, and I had to hunt them down in the dark and put them away. SO, the 75 wt doesn't heat it up, but they have light. Its a red light. My littles are afraid of the dark. LOL. How funny.

I am tired. This time change sure messed me up. The only ones it hasn't messed with is the birds... I let them out at almost 11 today! Didn't phase them though, since if we go back to old time, it was only going on 10... But thats the part that messes me up.

Supposed to have some storms come thru. I hope they aren't bad. Looks lie a tornado watch as well for south west michigan. Oh, joy. I am going to end up with everyone in the garage.. poop poop every where.

 

[Olive Hill]

I keep forgetting we have smarty-pants in this thread

guess it's a good thing I didn't say a buttload

I, personally, would like to see the math for that one.

 

[Opa]

Quote:


There is a formula for computing that number however, it involves times' and goesintos and several other variables that common decency and censors would not allow me to post. Plus I would be terrified of all the offended hens.

Finally, with Hope's help, I was able to finish picking up all of the branches from pruning the apple trees and hauling them out back to put the brush pile. I lost count of how many trips it required but when we got to the last one we were both happy campers. Now the only thing left is the pile of wood from cutting down two apple trees. At least it's in a pile and I guess on the weekend I will haul it to Hope's dad for fire wood.

If the weather is reasonable tomorrow I think I will finish cleaning the coop. Then before adding fresh wood shavings I will take everything out of the coup, open up the windows and blow out as much dust as possible with a leaf blower. The I'll clean it out and dust all the surfaces with DE.

I sure hope the bantams get back into a laying mode pretty soon. Only one young blue orpington pullet is laying with any regularity. The Vorwerks and the Spangled Hamburgs had been in the same coop since November and I've only gotten one egg since them. I'm hoping to have both day old and older chicks for Chickenstock.

 

[NovaAman]

I want silkie pullets at chicken stock...

 

[Olive Hill]

Finally, with Hope's help, I was able to finish picking up all of the branches from pruning the apple trees and hauling them out back to put the brush pile. I lost count of how many trips it required but when we got to the last one we were both happy campers. Now the only thing left is the pile of wood from cutting down two apple trees. At least it's in a pile and I guess on the weekend I will haul it to Hope's dad for fire wood.

Opa, do you do any smoking with your apple wood?

 

[Opa]

Quote: I used to but I've found that I much prefer using sawdust. It produces a much better and denser smoke than you get with larger pieces of wood. It's also less prone to flareup. I also like the variety of flavors I can get by using sawdust in wood species not common to this area like mesquite and pecan.