Garden City, MI: Man sentenced to jail time on the CRIMINAL charge of keeping chickens!
Guys, you really can’t make this sort of stuff up. Randy Zeilinger, a Garden City MI resident, has been found guilty on the CRIMINAL charge of keeping chickens. Think about … Continue reading
First time chicken coop builders, start here!
There’s a lot to consider in building your first chicken coop, and this infographic walks you through some major points. At the very end, I’ll discuss some of my major … Continue reading
Plants that are TOXIC to chickens
Spring has sprung, and the chickens are getting much more outside time. With that in mind, while doing spring yard cleanup, it’s smart to pay extra attention to things that … Continue reading
GRAPHIC: abnormal finding in the coop
Alright, a gross mystery for you all. Ben went out to check on the ladies this morning, and came back in telling me there was weird red egg inside the … Continue reading
Feather Pickin’ Chicken, Pt2
The Jerk is at it again. She’s even pecking me, hard, on the leg while I’m out in the run cleaning. I’ve put cat toys out there; cabbages; low-energy treats … Continue reading
400 fans!
We just passed 400 fans on the Ferndale Backyard Chickens facebook fan page! What a great thing to come in and see after cleaning out chicken poo from the coop … Continue reading
Feather Pickin’ Chicken
A few days ago I noticed that BB and Dumptruck were looking… raggedy. Specifically, their “bustles” (the area right above their tail feathers) looked like the feathers were thinning. Yesterday … Continue reading
It’s cold out there!
One of the best things you can invest in when getting backyard chickens: a remote temperature reader. This way, you can obsess over the slightest temperature variations and neurotically check … Continue reading
The Great Molt is finally over!
It’s relatively balmy out today, so it was a great morning to let the chickens run around. They’re FINALLY done with their molt and are turning regal again- I’m always … Continue reading
Paisely Chickens
These are ridiculously cute!! What a good use for old gourds! http://suzyssitcom.com/2012/11/feature-friday-paisley-chickens.html
Chickens coming to Oxford Michigan!
Chickens coming to Oxford Michigan!. I so hope Oxford becomes the next city to approve backyard chickens.
The telltale signs of a great dust bath.
I let the ladies out of the run to wander in the snow, when one of them stopped right by the doorway and shook like a dog. The dark spot … Continue reading
Downers Grove city council too scared to put chicken coop question on ballot
Sounds awfully familiar to the situation we were in in Ferndale. Here’s hoping they examine how other cities have approached the issue and take another look at changing their ordinance. … Continue reading
1 year down, many more to go!
Second year coop license! Coop license renewal went well, and the hens behaved themselves in front of the city inspector. While the inspector was out, we showed him our water … Continue reading
Snow Chickens
The ladies have been completely terrified of the snow, until recently. I had to show them that it wasn’t dangerous by opening their door and calling them out with some … Continue reading
Chickens of the Mist
In Ferndale/Detroit, yesterday and today are hitting temperatures in the high 90′s with around 70% humidity. The heat is oppressive, to say the least. I’ve been staying indoors in the … Continue reading
Coverage of Ferndale’s First Legal Coop- Ferndale 115
Source: http://ferndale115.com/nuevo/2012/05/18/ferndales-first-legal-chicken-coop/ Ferndale’s First (Legal) Chicken Coop (Crystal A. Proxmire, The Ferndale 115 News, May 15th, 2012 edition) Big Bossy, Little Bossy and Little Girl seem happy. The six week … Continue reading
Chicken Coop Site Map & Structural Plan
As part of our ordinance, we had to submit a site map and structural drawing for the chicken coop. Ben put his engineering background to good use and put together … Continue reading
MYTH: Chickens stink!
The fear of odor problems caused by backyard chickens is unwarranted. Chickens themselves do not smell- only their feces that have the potential to stink, which is also true of … Continue reading
MYTH: Chickens are noisy.
Only roosters crow loudly, not hens. Hens never crow and are generally quiet animals, with the exception of announcing the arrival of a freshly hatched egg. This sound is short-lived, … Continue reading
Chickens in Hot Weather: 17 Ways to Help Keep Your Flock Cool This Summer
Chickens in Hot Weather: 17 Ways to Help Keep Your Flock Cool This Summer. I’ve been worrying about this for a while- it seems silly right? Worrying about chickens getting … Continue reading
We’re legal!
Yesterday, the city inspector walked into the backyard saying “This should only take about 2 seconds, I’ve seen the paperwork you submitted”. Basically, the inspection centered around the coop being … Continue reading
The countdown begins.
Just over 24 hours until the coop gets inspected! I’m nervous and excited. We put some finishing touches on the coop over the weekend- lots of paint, installing the brackets … Continue reading
We’re #1!!
The girls are feeling pretty dramatic after finding out that we’re the 1st to submit our coop paperwork to the city. Apparently lots of people have gotten the packet, but … Continue reading
What a hard life!
The girls are enjoying a nice warm day, perched on the edge of their coop window. I’m pretty jealous of them. Today is the big day- we’re turning in the … Continue reading
Chicks dig dirt.
The chicks are enjoying a nice dust bath in the shade on this steamy spring day. These girls are the fat orange cats of the chicken world, and as such are … Continue reading
Ferndale Chicken Coop Paperwork: where to get it, how to fill it out
The city has put together a nice bundle of paperwork for the backyard coop permitting/inspection process. I’ve taken pics of the sheets from the bundle for any prospective chicken owner … Continue reading
Dogs living with chickens? It can work!
The only thing I was worried about with keeping backyard hens was my dog’s reaction. Hurley is fast, and has the highest prey drive I’ve ever seen in a dog. … Continue reading
A whole pack of paperwork: getting things permitted.
Paperwork was picked up from the city offices this morning, and after a brief glance everything seems pretty straightforward. We’re in compliance with all the rules, now we just need … Continue reading
Chicks are growing, and need to be in the coop
They grow so fast!! Here they are the day after I brought them home. They’re quickly getting too big for the brooder, and I’m eager to get them outside. Little … Continue reading
Chicks acquired, coop nearing completion!
Lots of stuff happening in preparation for the permit and inspection!! The chicks were acquired March 18th, and have been staying in my house in a brooder box. I didn’t get … Continue reading
Ordinance Wording
http://ferndale-mi.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?meta_id=25501&view&showpdf=1 Chair Roediger referred to the State of Michigan’s Generally Accepted Agriculture and Management Practices for the Care of Farm Animals indicating that 6 square feet of space per chicken … Continue reading
CHICKEN ORDINANCE PASSES!
http://ferndale.patch.com/articles/ferndale-city-council-approves-backyard-chicken-ordinance Finally, after years of talking about it, it’s done. I have to commend Ferndale city council for taking time to understand the issue and really listening to the community … Continue reading
Tonight!
Come out to city council tonight for the vote! Keep your fingers crossed that Ferndale’s ordinance finally gets approved. http://ferndale.patch.com/articles/ferndale-city-council-to-consider-chicken-ordinance-tonight
