The Michigan Chicken Lady: My Saga

[Linda Mazik]

My chicken drama started March, 2017, with the purchase of 13 baby chicks from a local hatchery.  In the intervening years, chicken math has been in play.  Last summer that number was over 200.  This number included seniors [useless eaters], many roosters [also useless eaters], laying hens and their roosters, pullets, cockerels, and babies.  I think the number would be more if it weren't for the hawks, the foxes, the opossums, the raccoons, the weasels, and even the rats killing so many.  And wouldn't you know it, it was always my favorites hens or the best laying hens.  [I had a partner but said partner has requested no credit  asserting this has been my project].

I will be discussing my saga in terms of what I have learned and providing suggestions regarding what seems to work and doesn't work and what breeds I would recommend for Aftertimes and why.  Obviously, these will be my opinions.  The reader can decide what is best for his or her situation. 

I will sorta follow an outline:

• safety: coops, runs, free ranging
• protection: predators, parasites [internal/external], weather
• food and water
• sunlight: egg production, vitamin D, well-being
  
• breeds
• medical kit
• resources