Oregon

[BrendaJ]

Hello Oregon peeps! I am not yet an Oregonian but my husband and I are in the process of relocating from California. I am excited but a little nervous too. We are looking to buy in the Salem area. I currently have a flock of about 40 chickens. I have a breeder flock and layer flock. I am currently breeding BBS Copper Marans, BLR Wyandottes and Lavender AMs. That's just a little background info about me. I came on here though to see if anyone in the Salem area wanted to share their experiences about raising chickens in the area (pros and cons) and also just to hopefully make some friends. I am a little worried about moving somewhere that I know no one! I'm looking forward to having the time to read through this thread. Thanks in advance for any replies!

~Morgen
(P.S. Is it true Oregonians hate Californians?)

Hello & welcome Its not true that Oregon hates Cali. I did move to Cali for a few years when my husband was in the Marines. Great place to visit but glad we are home. Salem is about 1 hr north of me. You will find lots of friends on here & once you move & settle in - no worries. Best of luck

 

[Sonja73]

Welcome Salinas! On Facebook there are a number of pages dedicated to Oregon's Poultry swaps. There are some great people on there that share your enthusiasm.

 

[DaisyMeadow]

Salinas,

I'll be brave and give you the dissenting opinion. Yes. Many, many, many Oregonians strongly dislike Californians. What's been my experience is that it is the Californians who want to colonize - rather than immigrate and blend - who are the problem. The Oregonians who are most vocal about their disdain are generally those who see the newcomers as invaders who seek to move here and then turn the state into, essentially, a California clone via means of voting, policy change, etc. The sentiment I've found is generally, "If you liked California so much, you should just stay there, instead of turning Oregon into more of the same." I think it's to do with the independent spirit of so many in this state, together with the observation of the very public failed policies and bankruptcies in California. Also, many view those who leave out of California as moneyed and (as a result of money) materialistic.

BUT - having said that - I have found that poultry people are some of the best people. So I have much fewer worries about someone with enough sense and good judgment to keep birds.

Welcome to Oregon (and best of luck with the natives!)

Daisy

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I don't even know how Californians are supposed to vote ... I believe the privacy of voting is essential to a true right to vote.

There used to be "newcomer" hostility in Oregon and it started from the top ... a former Governor was very vocal about it. Personally I'm embarrasses by that phase now and probably other people are, too.

I don't mind if people move here to work. New people (babies or people moving) bring the need for more work with them ...

More work, more neighbors, more ideas... it's all fine with me!

Wcome to Oregon!

 

[SalinasChicken]

Thank you everyone for the welcomes and honesty. I really appreciate it all! I have no desire to change Oregon, I like it just the way it is.

I was raised on a ranch here in Monterey county, 4th generation Californian. I grew up riding horses and raising pigs and steers for FFA. I grew up appreciating the value of hard work and simple life. I happen to find my home area to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey and the Santa Cruz mountains are what I will miss most about home. And the weather- I will definitely miss the year round sunshine! However I will never be able to own a home here and I want better for my children than what this area has to offer. Drugs and gangs are rampant and there is a huge cultural divide among locals.

We chose Oregon because it is centrally located between my father in Washington and mother in northern California. The times we've been there, we found it breathtakingly beautiful and perfect for an active outdoor family like ours. We like Salem because it is close to everything that we would want to be close to.

We just want to provide our children with a better life and we like what Oregon has to offer. Thanks again for all the welcomes! I look forward to getting to know you all! :-D

 

[lwente]

Hi all!! Anyone out here with me in Medford OR! I can't wait for our beautiful spring weather!!

 

[OR4-hmom]

Hi all!! Anyone out here with me in Medford OR! I can't wait for our beautiful spring weather!!

Hello, just up the road a bit in GP/Wilderville area.

 

[katy5791]

Hi! I just finished my new chicken coop. Now I'm ready for a few chickens. I want to start out with teenagers! After what I've read I want a couple of Rhode Island Red's. I figure they are the most hardy. I live in Beavercreek, Oregon at about 1,500 feet. So we have snow! I may a little slow, but I can't figure out where to get my new chickens. Can anyone direct me to a source?

Thanks
Katy5791

 

[Iwonderwhy]

Welcome Katy5791!

 

[Zanna]

Hi! I just finished my new chicken coop. Now I'm ready for a few chickens. I want to start out with teenagers! After what I've read I want a couple of Rhode Island Red's. I figure they are the most hardy. I live in Beavercreek, Oregon at about 1,500 feet. So we have snow! I may a little slow, but I can't figure out where to get my new chickens. Can anyone direct me to a source?

Thanks
Katy5791

I don't know any private breeders locally with Rhode Islands but maybe someone else will. You can get Production Reds (they often label them as Rhode Island Reds but they are not) at most farm stores starting soon, Wilco, Coastal Farm, etc. The Urban Farm Store has connections with some local breeders and may be able to help you. I have never been there or talked to them, just heard about them, and I believe they are somewhere in the Portland area.