Michigan

[RaZ]

Honesty and integrity always win in the long run.  

Not in politics.

 

[Olive Hill]

The rabbits we've had must have had iron gullets. We always feed them cabbage, carrots, spinach, turnips, radishes, beets, rutabaga, strawberry trimmings, even celery which I know is supposed to give them diarrhea as well, but they've never had issues.

 

[Olive Hill]

Not in politics.

*shrug* Obviously you can do what you want, but I guarantee the inspector is more likely to treat you well in the long run if you don't deceive him the first time around.

Either you believe you have a right to have the chickens and are prepared to fight for that right, or you know you're in the wrong and are willing to lie to get away with it.

 

[uchytil]

The rabbits we've had must have had iron gullets. We always feed them cabbage, carrots, spinach, turnips, radishes, beets, rutabaga, strawberry trimmings, even celery which I know is supposed to give them diarrhea as well, but they've never had issues.

Except for the celery, rutabaga (yellow turnip) and turnip, all you mention are on the go-to list. In addition broccoli, parsley, chicory, endive, kale, mustard greens, green peppers, and cauliflower are good for them. Wild Dandelion and greens are excellent for their health (my rabbits cannot get enoough in the summer with some field clover thrown in). I mentioned before avoiding beans and potatoes. Note: Chard, spinich, and beet tops are only good in small quantiities as too much of these and oxalates accumulate and can cause toxicity. The rabbits that tresspass in my gardens can not read however and find any, and all, on the menu. I do feed mine rutabaga greens as I harvest those thru February under the snow.

 

[RaZ]

*shrug* Obviously you can do what you want, but I guarantee the inspector is more likely to treat you well in the long run if you don't deceive him the first time around.
Either you believe you have a right to have the chickens and are prepared to fight for that right, or you know you're in the wrong and are willing to lie to get away with it.

Didn't say I was going to lie.
I sure am not going to offer any information.

 

[Bianca67]

chicks are a week old today, can I feed them anything along with their crumble ( treats) and if yes, what?

 

[NovaAman]

frozen peas, thawed... You don't want to do canned, not even the no salt canned... Thaw the peas in hot water, then smash them a bit like a mother chicken would do, and give them. I just mush em a little with a spoon... When they are about 3 weeks or so, you won't have to do that as much...

 

[Olive Hill]

Didn't say I was going to lie.
I sure am not going to offer any information.

Ahh, semantics. I guess you could spin it lots of ways, but if the guy is coming out to talk to you/inspect due to a report of illegal birds hiding chickens is deceitful, imntbcho.

I always tell my kids (and my husband, lol!) I can't hear their words over their actions. IMO, if you hide those birds you're basically entering a guilty plea -- and I think it'll look that way in court if you eventually end up there, too. After all, if you have a right to own them why would you hide them? At any rate, if I were the inspector and you did so on my watch I sure as heck wouldn't give you even an inch to wiggle the next time around. I've found when working with regulators, inspectors and certifiers it's just always in my best interest to be cooperative and up front and I've yet to find a farmer who has had any experience to the contrary.

Like I said though, obviously you're free to do as you please. Just trying to offer some advice from experience. I wish you the best of luck whatever you decide.

 

[swampducks]

I made a boo boo, instead of clicking on the insert photo icon I kept clicking on the insert link icon.

All fixed now, thanks for the heads up.

Your photobucket link just routes me back to the chicken forum...(couldn't see anything)

 

[NovaAman]

Juise, did you get it done at long last?


Ok.. I am going to repeat my lost in space post...

TSC has cattle fence, 16 foot sections on sale. I was wondering if you'll think it would be predator proof enough? I can wire 1 in chicken fence to the bottom of it to make sure its pred proof also. I was/am planning to make the winter run a big coop. Thinking that I would put up walls, then I'd have the 8x11 coop all together... Or, 8x7, and use the existing coop as a storage/brooder/whatever.. However, as funds are on the low side with the job situation changed, I was thinking, I could enclose the winter run with that fence around the bottom, make a door where I go thru now, and tarp one side, leave 2 sides open and then tarp them in the winter. I can hang heat lamps in there in the winter if necessary, and I will still have the wooden coops if they prefer to use them. But, I would have 2 roos, and 18 hens... the extra roos are already slated for the dinner table... I think I only have 6 roos, but them 2 silkie mixes... not sure yet since the one has a walnut comb and the other has both a walnut and single ridge going on there. Well, anyway, Before I do this, since it would cost me about 40 bucks now, leave a constant air flow for the summer months, and then 2 more tarps in the fall when the weather turns sour... so another 10-15 bucks... Wooden sides would be 12-15 a pannel, would need 6, and 7 2x6...Well, you get the picture. I would do the second option if that would be the smarter plan for the winter... But I've seen people with just plastic/tarp walls here in the winter, and I wanted an opinion before I do something that I might regret later. SO, there you have it.

I have to go and babysit the dogs outside. Rotten Ruby has found yet another escape hole. I think I am spending 20 bucks on landscape timbers tomorrow...