Roosters in Michigan

[Prunellopy]

Hi Prunellopy - congratulations on your new home! You're quite a ways north, but we're fine. We'd much rather drive our birds to a new home, than to a processor. If you could meet us at least part ways, it would be appreciated. Not absolutely necessary, though. How many roosters did you want? We might have a few hens we could toss in. They're mature, but still laying. Are you set up for birds? Just let me know. Happy moving!! Hopefully it's not too far.

Thank
you! Our closing may be delayed a couple days. It was supposed to be the 28th, but probably won't be past August 1st. I was going to take 2 roos if they get along because 1 would be so lonely. If you have a couple hens, then 1 rooster would be enough. Either combo is fine. Are you ok with keeping them another 2 to 3 weeks? I won't have time to build a coop so fast but they can be accommodated in my mudroom temporarily. It's got lots of windows and I can peek in on them any time that way! I can meet up with you somewhere. I know where one of my dog cages is, but not so sure about my cat carriers. I suppose boxes would do if necessary. I have lots of those! Thank you so much for your generosity!

 

[wrathsfarm]

Thank
you! Our closing may be delayed a couple days. It was supposed to be the 28th, but probably won't be past August 1st. I was going to take 2 roos if they get along because 1 would be so lonely. If you have a couple hens, then 1 rooster would be enough. Either combo is fine. Are you ok with keeping them another 2 to 3 weeks? I won't have time to build a coop so fast but they can be accommodated in my mudroom temporarily. It's got lots of windows and I can peek in on them any time that way! I can meet up with you somewhere. I know where one of my dog cages is, but not so sure about my cat carriers. I suppose boxes would do if necessary. I have lots of those! Thank you so much for your generosity!

Hi there.. from another Michigan member although I'm way south near Lansing I'm done some time up that way.

Not trying to rain on your parade here, but I would consider holding off on getting birds til you have yourself situated and can build/get a proper coop. You've got a lot going on with this new home purchase and all that goes with it.
Take your time, get a proper coop and run set up and then get your dream Rooster and flock, even if it's new chicks in the Spring or better yet...purchase an incubator, order some hatching eggs and experience the joy of hatching your own littles and watching them grow on your new property.

Just my opinion, best of luck with your new home and future flock.

 

[Prunellopy]

I appreciate your advice, but I'm an old hand with chickens so it's really not an issue, and I only want a couple or so. We found a tick on my son after viewing the house and property, so I want insect control asap without chemicals. I may even toss in a couple of those self deleting guineas /jk! I think

 

[Dari22]

Hi there.. from another Michigan member although I'm way south near Lansing I'm done some time up that way.

Not trying to rain on your parade here, but I would consider holding off on getting birds til you have yourself situated and can build/get a proper coop. You've got a lot going on with this new home purchase and all that goes with it.
Take your time, get a proper coop and run set up and then get your dream Rooster and flock, even if it's new chicks in the Spring or better yet...purchase an incubator, order some hatching eggs and experience the joy of hatching your own littles and watching them grow on your new property.

Just my opinion, best of luck with your new home and future flock.

I can't say I disagree. If you don't have a really good workable place for them to stay ... boy ... stressful for both you, and the birds.
I have an incubator you can have. I'll mail it to you. I'll never hatch eggs again, as I can't deal with the roosters. I have four now that I fear I'll have to go with plan B - which I don't like. But such is the world of poultry. I too, would suggest you get moved, and wait till spring and you're settled. I thought originally, you likely had a coop.
If you REALLY want to go forward, we can do this. But I think it's not fair to either you - or the birds, if it's really a stretch to be workable.

 

[Prunellopy]

I can't say I disagree. If you don't have a really good workable place for them to stay ... boy ... stressful for both you, and the birds.
I have an incubator you can have. I'll mail it to you. I'll never hatch eggs again, as I can't deal with the roosters. I have four now that I fear I'll have to go with plan B - which I don't like. But such is the world of poultry. I too, would suggest you get moved, and wait till spring and you're settled. I thought originally, you likely had a coop.
If you REALLY want to go forward, we can do this. But I think it's not fair to either you - or the birds, if it's really a stretch

 

[Prunellopy]

There are reasons I don't want some little coop right now. I don't trust those prefabs, and I don't want to waste money on one since a chicken city will cost at least a few thousand. Mine will have 2 coops. 1 for bantam, 1 for standard, plus a broody house, bachelor house for extra roos, feed storage, and a gardening shack. It'll be a monsterous fortress with all manor of things to do! I absolutely spoil my birds rotten, and I'm really not into it just for eggs. They're just one of many happy returns

Here is what I'm basing my chicken city/food fortress on with water, solar and automated systems with cameras added over time. As soon as coop and run are ready, they can move. They'll have friends next spring.

https://www.alycealexandra.com/blogs/free-recipes/chicken-city-the-details

Below is where the two roos will be at night, chicken tractor for daytime and essentials will be shipped once I have keys in hand. It's more than big enough, warm, dry, electrified, predator proof and easy to monitor. All my hatchery chicks get raised in the house anyway.

I've been retired since the age of 48. As long as I have the essentials set up in the house in the first week, the rest will come whenever. I'm all about gardening and my animals. I'll be out with them most of the time. There'll be time for the house in winter. If there's anything else you want to know about for them, just ask!

 

[MIchickenlady]

Hi all! I've just rejoined this forum after being gone for a dozen years. I'm hoping some peeps can help me

I'm trying to buy a house, and can go almost anywhere in the state except the UP. Some properties I find have 5 acres, some only an acre. I definitely want roosters, but most places ban them.My question is, to those of you in Michigan who have roosters, what county, township or village do you live in, and how many acres do you have? Are you zoned RA, R1,R2 or AG?

TYIA, I have looked at so many houses and called many townships. I look for rural properties over 1 acre, but most places try to say you have to have 5 or 10 acres even though there is no such restriction in the MRFA as long as you follow GAAMPS

Bedford Twp ordinance allows a certain number of chickens based on the amount of land. Some Villages, such as Clarksville, only allow 6 hens no roosters. If you are looking for property with acreage located in a rural area you should be safe. Calhoun and Barry counties are good areas to consider.

 

[Prunellopy]

Bedford Twp ordinance allows a certain number of chickens based on the amount of land. Some Villages, such as Clarksville, only allow 6 hens no roosters. If you are looking for property with acreage located in a rural area you should be safe. Calhoun and Barry counties are good areas to consider.

Thank you! I did find the right area where all chickens are allowed, no restrictions!

 

[Dari22]

There are reasons I don't want some little coop right now. I don't trust those prefabs, and I don't want to waste money on one since a chicken city will cost at least a few thousand. Mine will have 2 coops. 1 for bantam, 1 for standard, plus a broody house, bachelor house for extra roos, feed storage, and a gardening shack. It'll be a monsterous fortress with all manor of things to do! I absolutely spoil my birds rotten, and I'm really not into it just for eggs. They're just one of many happy returns

Here is what I'm basing my chicken city/food fortress on with water, solar and automated systems with cameras added over time. As soon as coop and run are ready, they can move. They'll have friends next spring.

https://www.alycealexandra.com/blogs/free-recipes/chicken-city-the-details

Below is where the two roos will be at night, chicken tractor for daytime and essentials will be shipped once I have keys in hand. It's more than big enough, warm, dry, electrified, predator proof and easy to monitor. All my hatchery chicks get raised in the house anyway.

I've been retired since the age of 48. As long as I have the essentials set up in the house in the first week, the rest will come whenever. I'm all about gardening and my animals. I'll be out with them most of the time. There'll be time for the house in winter. If there's anything else you want to know about for them, just ask!

Prunellopy - if you still want them, they're yours. The two you wanted do indeed get along. They're together in a run right now. I you want to move forward, just tell me where you want to meet that is comfortable to you - distance wise, and I will find an easy to locate rendezvous point.

 

[Dari22]

And yes ... Ive named them ...:
Ink - and Barry