Upper Lower Michigan.... Looking forward to help!

[thasista]

Hi from Kentucky! Good Luck in your chicken endeavor!!

 

[bluebirdnanny]

I might have to do the planning this year and see if I can afford to implement by fall to be ready at least for chickens by next summer. Fair Housing Lien on the house and property repair work will begin within the month. Depending on how long contractors are here will affect things. I hate that I will be going into debt. But perhaps the chickens venture will help me feel better by even a few dollars I can pay to keep lien lower. At least I won't feel like I have become a drain on society that doesn't even trying to give back or help myself.

 

[KMSonthecoast]

Welcome from NW Oregon. Chicks are so much fun! Good luck!

 

[bluebirdnanny]

I am thinking perhaps cutting into the side of the shed to attach some old dresser drawers as brooding boxes. And I do have some old left over small mesh wire from critter guard skirting for the decks. MMMMM you got me thinking about what I have here I can reuse.

There is also the article on composting with chickens....I may close in an run area where mine is.

Another women that comes to Church from Gaylord is talking about Chickens this year too.... maybe we can go in on a special order and split the chickens.Ok finally getting excited about possible reality of me doing this!!!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[belwelch]

Welcome to BYC from KY

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Ok I may be given 3 "Rhode Island Red" 2 year old hens by someone who is moving. She will be gone in late April. I have a short time to get ready for the hens. She has kept them IN a shed coop during winter but said they free range otherwise. I will be able to easily make my own Mother Cider as I have apple trees!

So I guess while the contractors are working on the house (if not before) I will be in the coop add on to shed stage for chickens. Then making an exercise yard for them (predator protection spot for while I am away from home) and scattering some forage overseed around the yard near the pen and into field.

Now... I want to make sure I take care of any health issues they may have. So here comes the newby questions:

1. How do I assess their health? ie mites, lice, fleas, vigor, parasites, infections, crop problems etc.

2. Getting them transfered from non organic granules to FF?

3. Can I use any of this for FF start? (Rob's Red Mill all natural)
I have about 1.5# of each...(bought for making me healthier breakfast cereal)
A. Golden couscous --- ground semolina
B. 8 grain wheatless -- blend of oats, oat bran, brown rice, corn soybeans, millet, sorghum, sunflower seeds, & flax seed.
C. cracked wheat milled of Whole grain Hard Red Wheat
D. 100% Whole Grain Bulgur Wheat

Pray these chickens will accept the transfer to organic management!! Oh one is named Charlotte, other two I don't know yet.

I am both scared and excited to do this! I want healthy chickens the closest to normal way I can get. Here we go!!!!!!!
Help me get ready!!!!!