Michigan

[vjwilmoth]

BYFM

Ooh! We like finding snakes. Although my boys found a hog nosed snake last weekend and flipped out. It was an adult and was in full "cobra mode". Hissing and flattening out. I saw what it was and picked up a stick to lift it and put it in the woods. It put on a show like I've never seen when it regurgitated a HUGE toad and a tiny toad. Then proceeded to play dead and stink the place up. I just laughed while my boys stood there horrified.

 

[RaZ]

Hmm sounds like I got rooked on my nucs but you get same on your hives!

What kind of bees did you get, anyway?

I kind of felt the same way about these nucs. But it is late for getting bees and these are local stock that over-wintered and are healthy. They look like Carolinas but I'm not certain. I do know that they are calm and easily handled, at least from the limited handling I had with them today.

Prices have gone through the roof lately. Both for viable queens and nucs. Hive bodies and supers are pricey as well when paying today's lumber prices. I will usually buy the frames and foundation. I need to learn how to make them myself, but I think it will end up being about the same price as the ready mades.

I'm going to have to scrounge for scrap lumber and see how that works.

 

[Farmerboy16]

Farmerboy, since the instructions were from canada, I assume the temps are in celsius?

57 = 98.6 Degrees fahrenheit
5 = 41 degrees fahrenheidt

That is right.

Cute ducks RaZ, and congrats on the bees! Would like to have some to raise, but having cows, hogs, poultry, a large garden, a big yard, and the fence to maintain, so too busy for bees.

Update on the emu eggs-

I was trying to drill a hole in egg D, for I felt the insides sloshing, but broke a big chuck of the shell. Was going to make a small hole so I can blow it out. Anyway, the egg whites were yellowish in color with a bit of blood clots. So, I think that is was fertile, and had a chick, but died early on. The yolk was huge, but was like a ball of clay. It was hard to get it out, had to scoop it out in pieces with my finger. It was a bit smelly. On egg E, I made a small hole to see if the chick is alive for I have not seen it wiggling for a week, and it was a week over due to hatch. Nothing, made the hole bigger, can see the chick, it was dead. It had not pipped into the air cell yet, and the yolk was not absorbed. It was beautiful and huge! I buried it next to the apple tree that I had planted a few months ago by the chicken coop. I have 2 live wigglers right now, and they are due to hatch next week. One of the three eggs is iffy. It had ''wept'' the first day I set it in the bator, but I did not smell anything on it yet, will give it a chance until it passes the due date.

 

[Juise]

Sorry about your emus, Farmerboy. Happy thoughts for the next two!
Bees.

Looks like bees are going to have to be a long ways off.

 

[Farmerboy16]

Oh! Hey Olive!
I am not totally sure yet, but Gurt's udder is bigger than it was yesterday, and her belly is HUGE!

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

BYFM
Ooh! We like finding snakes. Although my boys found a hog nosed snake last weekend and flipped out. It was an adult and was in full "cobra mode". Hissing and flattening out. I saw what it was and picked up a stick to lift it and put it in the woods. It put on a show like I've never seen when it regurgitated a HUGE toad and a tiny toad. Then proceeded to play dead and stink the place up. I just laughed while my boys stood there horrified.

Yeah... I would NOT be okay with that

Again... I have a healthy respect for them... You keep your distance and I will keep mine!

 

[Amy PT]

Hi Michigan thread. I'm new to the board. And to chickens.

We have three 2.5 week old chicks in a basement brooder. It's looking like our BO is going to be a rooster: wattles sprouting already! And we can't have a rooster (or... legally, hens). I'd like our flock to be 3-4 hens. Our original 3 were from Townline Hatchery, but I'd like to go smaller if we get more chicks. Any suggestions for places near Grand Rapids? Also, is anyone looking for a very young BO rooster-to-be?

 

[Olive Hill]

Oh! Hey Olive!
I am not totally sure yet, but Gurt's udder is bigger than it was yesterday, and her belly is HUGE!

She loves belly rubs so if you want to check you can have her lay down to make it easy. When you're able to express a little milk you're within 12 hours of delivery. Another sure sign with Gert is when she gets kind of... well, for lack of a better description, slow. Once you see it you'll know what I mean. She moves slowly the day before/day of farrowing. Isn't so quick to rise, walks more slowly, etc. Can't blame her. But anyway, once that starts she usually goes the middle of that night/early the next morning.

 

[EeyoreD]

Hi Michigan thread. I'm new to the board. And to chickens.

We have three 2.5 week old chicks in a basement brooder. It's looking like our BO is going to be a rooster: wattles sprouting already! And we can't have a rooster (or... legally, hens). I'd like our flock to be 3-4 hens. Our original 3 were from Townline Hatchery, but I'd like to go smaller if we get more chicks. Any suggestions for places near Grand Rapids? Also, is anyone looking for a very young BO rooster-to-be?

Welcome!

I can't help you with your questions but I will say stay away from Olive if you want to start small.

(everything's broody Olive! I'm going to have like 60 birds here next month!)

Amy, um, 2 months ago I had NO birds. Just sayin.

 

[RaZ]

Bees.

Looks like bees are going to have to be a long ways off.

Like so many hobbies, starting off is the biggest expense. If you are looking to make a profit, I'd suggest another path. If you are like me, you do it because you enjoy it. Like the chickens, I would be happy to break even. Even if I don't, I still like it.