Michigan

[RBahmer]

Well, what are you waiting for? Hatch me some of those little buggars! Got a coal black lamb while you're at it?

Got a hen sitting on some now. How many you want ? Sold all my lambs this year. LOL

 

[Olive Hill]

Oh 10...15+. Figure half will be cockerels and would like a good few hens so have to pad the numbers a bit.

 

[RBahmer]

Oh 10...15+. Figure half will be cockerels and would like a good few hens so have to pad the numbers a bit.

Well she's not on that many eggs but give me a little time and I will have them. I was actually surprised with their production myself. I figured it would be poor but it sure isn't and I just love the way they look. Nice and plump.

 

[RBahmer]

Olive - One more thing. They are somewhat auto sexing. I can tell shortly after hatch what are males and what are females. The males are lighter colored than the females.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

OK, crazy neighbor story/rant

DH's aunt, who is renting the other half of the property my chickens are housed on decided a couple months ago that we must put in a new well, that much i told you guys. So i dutifully pedal my bike an hour to feed and water my birds (I am not fuzzybutt love for nothing) since we are super broke because of this. After DH hooked her up with over $1,000 of free wood and the free use of our wood stove until they can buy another, and 3 dozen of my vintage canning jars that DH helped hugely to fill, which have not been returned as of yet, since i refused a $10 buyout offer. Uugh. Not to mention free use of DH's riding mower, helping uncle do repairs.....

So anyway, i get there and what do i find out? the power was "accidentally" turned off. Which wouldn't have mattered but i wasn't warned ahead of time, and of course my antibiotics were in the shed fridge. And i had no water for anyone. Other neighbor/family member to the rescue. Then i gotta pedal that hour back, just to tell DH the news. The pitcher pump will be in any day, and DH got the red one i liked, that was happy at least. The bike will be my friend this month, so i will have to work on my "positive thoughts" since i will not have my time ruined by someone.

There was my "moment", and i will have you all know we do pay our bills, so that is not why the horrible behavior, and menopause has already happened for her, so not that either. . And that, is why i will not likely be going to chickenstock.

 

[Opa]

Another day on the green side is starting and I for one am thankful to be able to see it. The garden is really starting to take off and weed production is minimal. I think I should be able to get it completely weeded in less than 30 minutes. Several years ago I saw an offset weeding hoe in a specialty catalog. It was priced in excess of $100 so of course I didn't order one but the idea of something to weed close to the plants stuck with me. So the other day I modified a small hand trowel and was very happy with the result. I now have a tool that I can slide next to the growing plant, pull back, and neatly slice off the offending weed below ground.

Fishing wasn't very productive yesterday, the wind was blowing to hard to stay on top of a school of fish when I would locate one with my sonar, however, the old adage about a bad day of fishing being better than a good day of working certainly applies. It was nice for Hope and I to get out for a few hours and for her to be able to not think about all that still must be done with regard to her step father.

Yesterday one of my cousins called Granny and ask her if she would like some company. She is a year older than I, the daughter of Granny's older brother who was killed in WWII. Her husband recently lost his battle with a protracted illness and she is finally able to start venturing away from home. She recently found that she can fly from St Louis for less than $100 round trip so she will be coming to visit shortly after the first of next month.

She called after supper last night and after the call Granny, Hope, and I were outside checking out the garden, gathering eggs, watering birds, and harvesting radishes when 3 hot air balloons flew directly overhead. After they had flown out of sight Granny remarked upon how happy she is and how fortunate she is to live here.

 

[ladyrsanti]

Anyone here in the Alto/Caledonia/Lowell area, outside Grand Rapids? I see so many chicken coops when I'm out driving, you'd think one of them has to be on BYC. I want to find some local sources for future chicks and whatnot. Would love to get my hands on some black copper marans someday and any other interesting breed for varieties sake.

 

[taprock]

I know this sound difficult to build but it really is quite simple and tomorrow I try to post a picture of one.

Anything involving wood I turn into a disaster but I think DH can handle it. Thanks

She called after supper last night and after the call Granny, Hope, and I were outside checking out the garden, gathering eggs, watering birds, and harvesting radishes when 3 hot air balloons flew directly overhead. After they had flown out of sight Granny remarked upon how happy she is and how fortunate she is to live here.

My I, with out being too rude, ask how old Granny is. My grandma is 86 and lives by herself. I don't think she should but she is stubborn. Anyway she tends to talk more about what she has lost than what she has. I love her much but after a while that is tough to be around.

They are cute Jen. Beautiful color too. I actually like the way that chick looks.
I have just the kind you want Olive. Cuckoo Marans. The hens are nice and plump and lay dark eggs.

I have one Cuckoo Maran and she is a great, dependable bird with a good attitude - I had hatched out two more and both were roosters.

I seem to have developed Mom's disease with rooster production. Like I said before 4 of 6 Polish are roosters. Well 2 of 3 Sizzles are and it looks like all 4 of my showgirls. Bantam roosters what DO you do with them? I was teasing my brother that Silkies were prized eating in some asian countries but he was not convinced.

Off to my book and some coffee.

 

[Olive Hill]

Olive - One more thing. They are somewhat auto sexing. I can tell shortly after hatch what are males and what are females. The males are lighter colored than the females.

In that case I'd take 4-6 females and a male or two. Also, noticed you have a couple colors in your siggy. If it's easier and they're all pretty similar on production and body type, I don't mind which color they are. I do have an incubator so I could hatch if you're not up to it. Just let me know. I appreciate it.

 

[1muttsfan]

Taprock, tell your brother that black-skinned chickens are considered a delicacy in many Asian countries (true)