Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Hinotori]

I wish to say Welcome to the new people!

 

[Amberjem]

Thanks for your replies! I will look into turken, I haven't looked at those yet. Jersey giants, I believe are pretty slow maturing? I ruled them out due to that after reading some other threads about best dual purpose birds... Barred rocks, wyandottes, and orpingtons seem to have quite a following on some threads on BYC as dual purpose birds that are good winter layers, which is why I started with them. I agree my barred rock is my best layer, and pretty big--I really don't like her temperament, though, and I have a small daughter (3 y.o.) that I hope will help me with the chickens as she gets older, so I need kid-friendly, or at least not aggressive. What are others' Barred Rocks like? Do I just have Ms. Crazy Bird, or are flighty peckers common?

I ruled out RIR due to reports of aggression, though I have no personal experience with them. I have actually read tons about different breeds and studied the Henderson's breed chart and whatnot. I guess I was more wondering what local people were having success with, as since BYC is such a wide community, sometimes breeds that are working well for people in other climates aren't suitable for ours. And also a lot of people on BYC are pretty dismissive of hatchery quality birds, complaining that they have had most of the "utility" bred out of them; I've seen the same complaint about people focusing on show quality plumage at the expense of egg production/forage-ability/body type/etc. None of this is from personal experience, just what I've read (and I think show quality birds are beautiful!), so I'm not trying to offend anyone here. I'm really just wondering if hatchery birds are poor stock, and show birds aren't the best utility birds, then where does one find good utility birds? Are some show quality birds also good utility birds? Do local breeders exist for utility-type birds? Are there breeders around that are focusing on good dual purpose birds, that sell chicks/hatching eggs/etc? If so, how do I find one? I guess this was my attempt at finding one!

I'm also a sucker for pretty birds--I love the GL Wyandotte coloration, and the BBS english orpingtons. The cream leg bars were a whim (the orpington breeder also had CLBs, and offered a free cockerel, so I picked one and a hen up as well when I got my orpington chicks), more for eggs and pretty birds than dual purpose, and I may or may not keep them. I thought I was getting good English Orpington stock, which I was going to use to start moving more towards dual-purpose than layer; the breeder advertised good lines (that I knew about from following the English Orpington thread here), but then has not responded to any inquiries made by me since I purchased the chicks--so I'm guessing I got suckered into buying poor stock from a breeder just out to make a buck. That was my first experience buying from a breeder rather than a hatchery and it was a pretty poor purchase experience. I'm hoping fellow BYC'ers can point me in a better direction for local breeders rather than relying on classifieds.

I'm also trying to keep a fairly sustainable flock going, so I don't want to just raise broilers. Although I don't know if a flock as small as mine can truly be sustainable--probably not, without outside stock, as I mentioned earlier. Space and neighbors aren't issues, we're pretty rural with over an acre, but I don't really want to produce many more eggs than our family eats. And a handful of chickens can free-range our yard without mass destruction; more would probably impact the garden. Two of my hens went broody this past summer, and next year, I'd like to let any broody's raise chicks to replace the layers and fill the freezer.

Oh, boy, I can be long-winded when I get going... sigh...

I think its called fowling around has a sagita chicken thats supose to be good dual purpose..(they are over past monroe I believe) my grandmother had chicken ledger for what she did with her breeding program introducing traits she wanted to see in her overall flock, marking notes on what her hens were laying weight from processing ect.....

 

[DaveOmak]

Hi all, I'm mostly a lurker, and I've learned a ton from BYC over my last (almost) 2 years of chicken keeping. However, I was hoping y'all might be able to point me in a good direction... i have a mixed layer flock (5 hens), and am interested in breeding for true dual purpose--good layers, with nice-sized cockerels for processing. From my current small flock, I have a barred rock and GL wyandotte that are my best layers (hatchery stock). I also have some new young birds (impulse purchase, what was I thinking??) that are not quite ready to mix with the big girls yet (cream Legbar hen and cockerel, 2 black english orpingtons of gender unknown). I'm a big fan of the GL wyandotte I have in terms of personality and egg production; my BR produces lovely and frequent eggs and is much bigger than my wyandotte, but she's flighty and kind of mean. The new orpingtons are friendly and huge, so I'm interested to see how they turn out... And the CLBs were a total impulse with hopes of blue eggs. My questions are, first, is anyone else around here breeding for a true utility bird? I'm in east King county. I'd love some ideas of what breeds are working best. I've thought about switching to all one breed; I love the English orpingtons for size but heard they aren't as productive layers, and GL wyandottes for their productivity, but they're smaller. I've also thought about just giving up on "pure bred" and just breeding for utility, especially if one of my orpingtons turns out to be a boy. So... Before I jump into this project next spring... Can I solicit some opinions? Good idea, bad idea? Also, I have a fairly small flock--I'd like to keep it to 4-5 layers, 1 rooster, and hatch chicks 2-3x/yr for the table and to replace layers as needed. Genetic diversity over time will necessitate bringing in stock, and I'd love to connect with someone locally to source good quality birds... And maybe some "chicken breeding mentor ship"... Ideas?

Good Morning.... Amberjem has a good idea...... JustFowlingAround has Sagitta... I bought mine from them... Nice folks...

http://justfowlingaround.weebly.com/breed-profiles/category/red-sagitta

I have 3 hens laying now and their eggs are from 54-72 grams... They laid 55 eggs in the last 21 days... 2.6 eggs/day... They are a large bird...

They are in Brewster Wa. and they do deliver all over the state in the warmer months...

 

[kevandtara]

I wish to say Welcome to the new people!

Thank you

 

[elizmartin]

I put clear roof panels on my coop. They let a lot of light in, but they were a pain in the butt to install and you have to predrill the screw holes. Many leaks around the screws that I had to later seal with silicon. I won't buy them again unless it is for a very small structure. They did stand up to the major wind storm we had last week.

Though i mentioned Fiberglass, i have the other type of clear panels, a little pricier but clearer, i used the sguggle board that fits the profile and only screwed to the high points. Have been fairly lucky so far…mine is 14' by 20' …..unfortunately i wasn't smart enough to move it farther away from the trees, so the roof needs cleaning constantly.

 

[elizmartin]

Thanks for your replies! I will look into turken, I haven't looked at those yet. Jersey giants, I believe are pretty slow maturing? I ruled them out due to that after reading some other threads about best dual purpose birds... Barred rocks, wyandottes, and orpingtons seem to have quite a following on some threads on BYC as dual purpose birds that are good winter layers, which is why I started with them. I agree my barred rock is my best layer, and pretty big--I really don't like her temperament, though, and I have a small daughter (3 y.o.) that I hope will help me with the chickens as she gets older, so I need kid-friendly, or at least not aggressive. What are others' Barred Rocks like? Do I just have Ms. Crazy Bird, or are flighty peckers common?

I ruled out RIR due to reports of aggression, though I have no personal experience with them. I have actually read tons about different breeds and studied the Henderson's breed chart and whatnot. I guess I was more wondering what local people were having success with, as since BYC is such a wide community, sometimes breeds that are working well for people in other climates aren't suitable for ours. And also a lot of people on BYC are pretty dismissive of hatchery quality birds, complaining that they have had most of the "utility" bred out of them; I've seen the same complaint about people focusing on show quality plumage at the expense of egg production/forage-ability/body type/etc. None of this is from personal experience, just what I've read (and I think show quality birds are beautiful!), so I'm not trying to offend anyone here. I'm really just wondering if hatchery birds are poor stock, and show birds aren't the best utility birds, then where does one find good utility birds? Are some show quality birds also good utility birds? Do local breeders exist for utility-type birds? Are there breeders around that are focusing on good dual purpose birds, that sell chicks/hatching eggs/etc? If so, how do I find one? I guess this was my attempt at finding one!

I'm also a sucker for pretty birds--I love the GL Wyandotte coloration, and the BBS english orpingtons. The cream leg bars were a whim (the orpington breeder also had CLBs, and offered a free cockerel, so I picked one and a hen up as well when I got my orpington chicks), more for eggs and pretty birds than dual purpose, and I may or may not keep them. I thought I was getting good English Orpington stock, which I was going to use to start moving more towards dual-purpose than layer; the breeder advertised good lines (that I knew about from following the English Orpington thread here), but then has not responded to any inquiries made by me since I purchased the chicks--so I'm guessing I got suckered into buying poor stock from a breeder just out to make a buck. That was my first experience buying from a breeder rather than a hatchery and it was a pretty poor purchase experience. I'm hoping fellow BYC'ers can point me in a better direction for local breeders rather than relying on classifieds.

I'm also trying to keep a fairly sustainable flock going, so I don't want to just raise broilers. Although I don't know if a flock as small as mine can truly be sustainable--probably not, without outside stock, as I mentioned earlier. Space and neighbors aren't issues, we're pretty rural with over an acre, but I don't really want to produce many more eggs than our family eats. And a handful of chickens can free-range our yard without mass destruction; more would probably impact the garden. Two of my hens went broody this past summer, and next year, I'd like to let any broody's raise chicks to replace the layers and fill the freezer.

Oh, boy, I can be long-winded when I get going... sigh...

HI, i don't remember my RIR being unfriendly but for any bird some is the breeding and some is what is part of the breeds nature. It is true that sometimes when one breeds for show vs utility things can be lost or sacrificed. You are doing the right thing learning whatever You can. Hens of most breeds will be protective of their eggs or chicks….many roosters can be unpredictable, some breeds more than others. Another thought is feed conversion….Some are bigger eaters or not the best foragers. …Some are more broody than others…..I love Rose comb Ancona's, i have seen them fight over a nest to lay an egg but never being broody….Don't know how they would survive if they had to. The best foragers though and smart…..
Are You looking for a sustainable mixed flock or a purebred flock…..A mixed one could contain several of the dual breeds that interest you and as You have chicks hatch, pick the ones that continue to exhibit the traits You want. This may help with egg production overlap with the different hens….. A pair of good friendly dual breed Roosters would be an asset…Any extra eggs could be hard boiled, crushed and fed back for extra protein and minerals. ( I let everyone out allot this year and learned, special placed dust baths and nests away from the coop helped save my plants and beds…which they liberally put in disarray…..

 

[ochochicas]

My barred rock is super friendly and not aggressive. I had a barred rooster for a while and even he was friendly. He was the the first one to run up to you in the yard wanting attention.

My RIR was very fast to mature. She is a good layer but it took a while for her eggs to become normal sized. She's not aggressive with people or other birds. I like her other than the fact that she is a bit boring compared to some of the others.

 

[budsbirds]

I will throw my two cents in, which is rare for me. Admittedly I am biased since I raise and breed Rhode Island Reds, but don't rule them out because of reports of aggression. The birds you buy at a feed store or from a hatchery do have that reputation, but in both appearance and demeanor they are totally unlike a true standard bred RIR. My birds are very, very docile, to the point that I have to be careful not to step on them when I'm in their pen. I don't handle my birds much at all, but they will let me reach down and pick them up if I choose. I also have bantam RIR's and they are amazingly friendly little creatures that lay a big egg for a bantam. I have also raised Standard bred Barred Rocks and while they aren't quite as friendly as the reds, they are still very easy to work with. I guess what I'm saying is don't consider chicks you buy at the feed store or hatchery to be the same as what a breeder will come up with. If you are just concerned with maximum production, by all means go the hatchery route.



Thanks for your replies! I will look into turken, I haven't looked at those yet. Jersey giants, I believe are pretty slow maturing? I ruled them out due to that after reading some other threads about best dual purpose birds...  Barred rocks, wyandottes, and orpingtons seem to have quite a following on some threads on BYC as dual purpose birds that are good winter layers, which is why I started with them. I agree my barred rock is my best layer, and pretty big--I really don't like her temperament, though, and I have a small daughter (3 y.o.) that I hope will help me with the chickens as she gets older, so I need kid-friendly, or at least not aggressive. What are others' Barred Rocks like? Do I just have Ms. Crazy Bird, or are flighty peckers common?

I ruled out RIR due to reports of aggression, though I have no personal experience with them. I have actually read tons about different breeds and studied the Henderson's breed chart and whatnot. I guess I was more wondering what local people were having success with, as since BYC is such a wide community, sometimes breeds that are working well for people in other climates aren't suitable for ours. And also a lot of people on BYC are pretty dismissive of hatchery quality birds, complaining that they have had most of the "utility" bred out of them; I've seen the same complaint about people focusing on show quality plumage at the expense of egg production/forage-ability/body type/etc. None of this is from personal experience, just what I've read (and I think show quality birds are beautiful!), so I'm not trying to offend anyone here. I'm really just wondering if hatchery birds are poor stock, and show birds aren't the best utility birds, then where does one find good utility birds? Are some show quality birds also good utility birds? Do local breeders exist for utility-type birds? Are there breeders around that are focusing on good dual purpose birds, that sell chicks/hatching eggs/etc? If so, how do I find one? I guess this was my attempt at finding one!

I'm also a sucker for pretty birds--I love the GL Wyandotte coloration, and the BBS english orpingtons. The cream leg bars were a whim (the orpington breeder also had CLBs, and offered a free cockerel, so I picked one and a hen up as well when I got my orpington chicks), more for eggs and pretty birds than dual purpose, and I may or may not keep them. I thought I was getting good English Orpington stock, which I was going to use to start moving more towards dual-purpose than layer; the breeder advertised good lines (that I knew about from following the English Orpington thread here), but then has not responded to any inquiries made by me since I purchased the chicks--so I'm guessing I got suckered into buying poor stock from a breeder just out to make a buck. That was my first experience buying from a breeder rather than a hatchery and it was a pretty poor purchase experience. I'm hoping fellow BYC'ers can point me in a better direction for local breeders rather than relying on classifieds.

I'm also trying to keep a fairly sustainable flock going, so I don't want to just raise broilers. Although I don't know if a flock as small as mine can truly be sustainable--probably not, without outside stock, as I mentioned earlier. Space and neighbors aren't issues, we're pretty rural with over an acre, but I don't really want to produce many more eggs than our family eats. And a handful of chickens can free-range our yard without mass destruction; more would probably impact the garden. Two of my hens went broody this past summer, and next year, I'd like to let any broody's raise chicks to replace the layers and fill the freezer.  

Oh, boy, I can be long-winded when I get going...  sigh...
[/quote]

 

[Hinotori]

I will throw my two cents in, which is rare for me. Admittedly I am biased since I raise and breed Rhode Island Reds, but don't rule them out because of reports of aggression. The birds you buy at a feed store or from a hatchery do have that reputation, but in both appearance and demeanor they are totally unlike a true standard bred RIR. My birds are very, very docile, to the point that I have to be careful not to step on them when I'm in their pen. I don't handle my birds much at all, but they will let me reach down and pick them up if I choose. I also have bantam RIR's and they are amazingly friendly little creatures that lay a big egg for a bantam. I have also raised Standard bred Barred Rocks and while they aren't quite as friendly as the reds, they are still very easy to work with. I guess what I'm saying is don't consider chicks you buy at the feed store or hatchery to be the same as what a breeder will come up with. If you are just concerned with maximum production, by all means go the hatchery route.

I've heard from several others that the aggression issue with the Rhode Island Reds is only in the production lines from the hatcheries.

 

[Aliciahess]

Hello everyone. This is way off your current subject...but. I'm trying to find eggs for the hatch-a-long. Would like to try some marans, welsummer or Leighton. Does anyone have eggs available or know someone who does?