Michigan

[Chickmate]

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.

Jerry in Ada has Black Copper Marans ( 616-284-7098)

 

[ladyrsanti]

Jerry in Ada has Black Copper Marans ( 616-284-7098)

Chickmate! I was worried my post was buried and gone. Thank you, I will keep that name and number and look into it soon. I'm getting lambs this weekend so I can't run out and get chickens until after my husband warms up the sheep. It's baby steps with him. He was wary about me getting twelve chickens and was against the sheep completely until I talked him into it or rather talked around it.

I see you are from SE MI. Cool. That's where I come from. Temperance, born and raised. I wanted chickens when we lived in Samaria but our neighbor hated us already and I knew if I tried it would have spelled disaster. Thanks again!

 

[RIRJen]

If anyone is wanting Speckled Sussex hatching eggs at chickenstock contact me by PM soon...I'm making my list

 

[RBahmer]

Greetings, I've been lurking a long time but nearly never post, until now. We live on a small farm near Perry, with cats, dogs, horses, oxen and CHICKENS! I'll be out of town the 23d, can't come to the swap meet. DARN!! I've got Belgian d"uccles, Delawares, and Sussex mostly, all hatchery quality. I'm learning! The bantam flock started 20 years ago from a neighbor, with a few outcross pullets. This year I'm adding more, hopefully better quality chicks. Too early to be sure, though. Mary

 

[Amy PT]

I've mentioned here that our Orpington is probaby a rooster. Now our SLW is on the watch list. "Her" wattles are starting to come in and the face turned red this week. I've read that's kind of normal for Wyandottes, but I'm holding my breath. Oh, gurus of chicken sexing, I would like it very much if all of you told me that Hazel is probably a hen. Does this photo capture the necessary features? Her tail feather were more full, but they've been plucked out. As a result, they've been getting extra protein via yogurt this week. Here is our trio yesterday, at 7 weeks old.

 

[Elliemae 77]

Good grief....more than 800 posts behind? I'll never catch up. So I'm stepping out of my comfort zone. I've decided to raise the Thanksgiving turkey this year. I'd like to try a heritage breed, but it has to be a gentle bird in case I chicken out when time to butcher and.end.up keeping it as a pet. I've read that the light colored birds are easier to dress. Not a huge fan of white turkeys, but.I've read that the midget whites are delicious. I was kinda thinking bourbon reds, but.bargain has some red penciled palms and black winged bronze hatching eggs for sale. Has anyone out there had experience with these.breeds? Or have any tips? Is it too late to get a poult, or set some hatching eggs for the bird to be ready this fall? Anybody in west Mich. have poults or hatching eggs for sale? I contacted cedar creek in twin lake, but they haven't got back with me yet.

 

[Olive Hill]

I've mentioned here that our Orpington is probaby a rooster. Now our SLW is on the watch list. "Her" wattles are starting to come in and the face turned red this week. I've read that's kind of normal for Wyandottes, but I'm holding my breath. Oh, gurus of chicken sexing, I would like it very much if all of you told me that Hazel is probably a hen. Does this photo capture the necessary features?

A closer up picture of its hackles would be nice, but I'm afraid based on that picture it's double bad news: it appears it's neither female, nor SLW.

 

[Amy PT]

A closer up picture of its hackles would be nice, but I'm afraid based on that picture it's double bad news: it appears it's neither female, nor SLW.

What?! What makes you think that, Olive? It looks like every photo I've seen of SLW's at a similar age. I'm not particularly attached to this animal being that specific type of chicken, but I'm curious. I'll shoot for a hackles photo this afternoon. After I find out which part of it's body are the hackles.

 

[Stacykins]

Breaking News!

Wow! I knew the government moved slowly, but not this slowly! Over a year ago, I applied for a TSA position at the tiny Delta County Airport. I never heard anything back. Well, just now, I got the official "hey, we accepted you, schedule a test!" notification. WHAT?!

So yea, I get to test for the job (computer test, not grope test) and I get the chance to be one of the most hated persons for travelers! Except I plan to, you know, bring some common sense along with me.

 

[Olive Hill]

What?! What makes you think that, Olive? It looks like every photo I've seen of SLW's at a similar age. I'm not particularly attached to this animal being that specific type of chicken, but I'm curious. I'll shoot for a hackles photo this afternoon. After I find out which part of it's body are the hackles.

Hmmm, do they get intermediate feathering that's not laced? I've only had one and that was years and years ago so maybe I'm remembering wrong, but I don't recall her ever not being laced once she lost her chick fluff.

ETA: LOL! The hackles are the neck feathers. A head/neck shot would do nicely.

Except I plan to, you know, bring some common sense along with me.

Well, you can bring as much of it as you want, but be prepared for your employer's policies to completely override it.

*I really wanted to add a laughing smiley after that, but honestly? It's one of those things that's so true it's not funny.