Fowl Weather

It's snowing . . . IN APRIL! Yuck . . . Michigan weather is always unpredictable - good news, next week will be different. We'd intended to move the ducks to the new property today, based upon the weather we decided to move the last of our "stuff" to storage (Phase 1 of moving is ALMOST done). There's a Family, Farm and Home store (like Tractor Supply and/or Quality Farm & Fleet) near our storage facility so my wife and I stopped there to see if we could find some things to get ready for the soon to be arriving duckling and chicks. We spent a bit of time watching the chicks and duckling that Family, Farm and Home had for sale and then began our quest for some brooders, fencing and cages. The brooders were easy - a couple of galvanized water tanks (2x2x6) will work well (and were on sale too!). The fencing, in this case for the ducks was also easy . . . at least for now. A bit of chicken wire and I can move the existing duck pen to the new land (just not today). The cages were another story. Our rabbits, officially my son's rabbits, are in need of additional housing. The doe had six little ones about three weeks ago; in another week they'll be ready for their own cages. Little Giant sells some easy to assemble cages and some pretty slick looking stands and other accessories, unfortunately there are too many expenses with a new house and land so I'd prefer not to spend quite the amount required to use these great cages. After some looking around my wife found the supplies to build our own cages; a bit more work than the Little Giant product(s) and a substantial cost savings! We left with two galvanized tanks for the brooders, some chicken wire to finalize the current duck pen when it's moved in a few days, and some great ideas for building the rabbit cages. The staff at Family, Farm and Home were truly helpful and quite knowledgeable as well - always a bonus. The chicks and duckling are due next week (I think). With luck, the brooders will be setup early in the week and the ducks will get moved prior to next weekend (my last day to have access to the "old" house). Keep posted for updates!