Michigan

[EeyoreD]

THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.

BUT, why can't folks run a business like that in MI?

It's not that you can't run a business like that in MI, it's that you can't keep that type of animal in Michigan for reasons outlined here:

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12145_55230-230062--,00.html

 

[Olive Hill]

Wild hogs are incredibly destructive animals, causing millions of dollars in agricultural damage each year alone. Ag is one of MI's biggest and most robust industries. Aside from that destruction -- which can also be caused to public land, private land such as yards and golf courses, etc -- they carry parasites and diseases that are significant not just to livestock but humans -- brucellosis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, mange, etc. Michigan's dairy herd are largely brucellosis free, which believe it or not actually increases people's food freedom by making raw milk less dangerous (brucellosis is NASTY). Plus, they're aggressive and dangerous. No one is saying you can't run a hunting ranch in MI, they're just saying you can't offer hog hunts. Which is a judicious decision given the implications of those hogs that escape from the ranches (which has been happening and has established a small feral population outside the ranch fences already). We can't control the migration of the hogs from south to north, we can stave off a take over from within.

 

[EeyoreD]

Michigan's dairy herd are largely brucellosis free, which believe it or not actually increases people's food freedom by making raw milk less dangerous

But doesn't Michigan have the most strict law of any state regarding sale/barter/share of raw milk?

 

[Olive Hill]

But doesn't Michigan have the most strict law of any state regarding sale/barter/share of raw milk?

Nope. I do believe you're thinking of Wisconsin.

ETA: Sale of raw milk itself is illegal here, but cow shares are common and you can raise your won. Brucellosis transmission by feral hogs is a risk even to a single backyard cow.

 

[ladyfeather]

I didn't know that about raw milk, Olive. We got some raw milk cheese from a downtown specialty store and it was really good. While I don't believe in some of the miraculous claims people attach to it I was wondering if it would help us all get in better health. Lately we've been trying to make better food choices across the board but its not only difficult to do but expensive. Some of the horror stories of food poisoning and what could happen with contaminated raw milk (along with the painful prices) is keeping me from the mandatory classes to get signed up.

 

[chickflick]

Hapigrl. Visit us anytime!

You don't need boyfriends or hubbys to come to chickenstock. Mine stays home. If your're shy, don't worry. You'll feel amongst friends shortly after you arrive. We're a great bunch of people with a common interest. Doesn't take much to get a conversation going. We were all in your shoes at the first chickenstock, knowing no one and feeling shy. Made friends with lots of BYCers. So, come and join us. It's so much fun, for everyone.

 

[RBahmer]

Wild hogs are incredibly destructive animals, causing millions of dollars in agricultural damage each year alone. Ag is one of MI's biggest and most robust industries. Aside from that destruction -- which can also be caused to public land, private land such as yards and golf courses, etc -- they carry parasites and diseases that are significant not just to livestock but humans -- brucellosis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, mange, etc. Michigan's dairy herd are largely brucellosis free, which believe it or not actually increases people's food freedom by making raw milk less dangerous (brucellosis is NASTY). Plus, they're aggressive and dangerous. No one is saying you can't run a hunting ranch in MI, they're just saying you can't offer hog hunts. Which is a judicious decision given the implications of those hogs that escape from the ranches (which has been happening and has established a small feral population outside the ranch fences already). We can't control the migration of the hogs from south to north, we can stave off a take over from within.

X2 Well said Olive. I used to deal in the exotic animal industry and I know and have seen what can happen with these pigs. They are VERY dangerous !!!

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

That Natural News website is a bit over the top anyway... My cousin is very against vaccinating her daughter and just rubs it in everyones face. The article she had sent to me was about DTap. It seemed under sourced as to where the information came from and they could have made up all of the doctors names...

The hog story smells fishy...
If they were wild boar... they get nasty and destroy nieghborhoods. They have Hog Hunters in Florida because the hogs are hurting people and spreading disease. (Not that I don't think we deserve some animal justice after taking over all of their land)
I would not want them breeding all over MI.
I do think it is very sad that all those pigs had to be killed. Especially because of human error, whether it be DNR or the owner's fault. It would be one thing if they were all ill.

 

[Scifisarah]

Has anyone gotten silkie chicks from Townline hatchery? Will they grow up to be pretty birds? I think they are getting some in at the FFH store today and I might get one or two, just so the chick that is all alone has a buddy. Was hoping to get non-hatchery silkie chicks but I worry if I wait too long to stick them under mama hen, she might not accept them as easily. Maybe I will have to get myself an incubator again since the gals didn't give me that great of a hatch rate.

 

[Olive Hill]

Those pigs met no different end than they would have even if the DNR hadn't stepped in. They were on a hunting preserve. They all would have been shot eventually.