Hello from Seattle

[sewchick]

from Maine
where the snow is deep and the taxes are high.

Hey if you have red sex link roosters I would buy a couple.

 

[GracefulBantams]

-Grace from Okla-

 

[Tailfeathers]

Hi & Welcome to BYC!

I live about an hour or so north of ya. Here's some advice I wish someone would have given me when I got started:

1) Sit down before you buy and ask yourself, "Why do I want chickens? What am I getting them for? What do I want out of them? Do I want them for eggs, meat, eye candy, egg color, breeding, raising, showing or a combination of those?"

2) Once you have answers to those questions it should lead you to specific breeds. From there you have to decide if you want to buy from a Feed Store (which normally get their birds from hatcheries), order from a hatchery yourself, or buy from a breeder.

3) Be advised, this hobby is EXTREMELY addicting! I started out with a dozen chicks of six different breeds and grew to about 75 birds this year and a bunch of other breeds. I now focus on primarily Ameraucanas and Welsummers.

4) If you think you will ever get your kids into 4-H, FFA, or such, then do yourself and them a favor and don't buy from a hatchery. Do a search under "Author" for "Tailfeathers" and add "hatchery" as a key word and you'll see some of my previous comments. You need to understand the difference between a hatchery and a breeder as it relates to their goals and how they operate.

I think that pretty much covers the basics off the top of my head. You can see pics of my birds in their various stages of development on my website. If you send me a personal email, I'll be happy to answer any other questions you have and I can give you my phone number so you can call me if you like.

I still have some birds for sale and will be hatching out chicks soon. If you do decide to buy from a feed store, I would recommend the Monroe Feed Store across from the Fairgrounds. Their take good care of their birds and they keep them in the best environment of any others I've been to.

Hope that helps.

God Bless,

 

[RuffledFeathers]

Welcome to the Seattle Chicken World, there are lots of us! I am out in Issaquah and got my girls last spring; now 3 of my friends have gotten them, too. The Grange in Issaquah has sexed chicks in spring, and Burien Feed Store is also convenient. Find out when shipments come in and get there quick~ I couldn't believe how fast they disappeared.
Buff Orpington is my favorite all around breed. Once they start laying they are so mellow and social and follow you around like puppies.
The Seattle Tilth has classes and info, and also supports the Coop Tour (usually in July).
Have a great time!

 

[Tailfeathers]

I forgot to add, you should mosey on over to the "Washingtonians" post and introduce yourself there too.

God Bless,

 

[Hen'nbiddies]

Welcome- For a brooder I am using a plastic "christmas tree" storage box (minus the lid of course) that I got on sale at Fred Meyer for $9.99 It is huge and will work for several weeks with a light hanging above it. Just thought it might be an idea for you.

 

[wlai]

Thanks everyone! We picked out an underbed storage box, which is pretty big but shallow, and will be building a frame above it for nettings/chicken wire. If anyone has ideas on how tall I should make it, would love to hear about it. I'm think 18" or 24" should be enough headroom until we can put the chicks out?