Tell me which Breeds to get?

[JenniferC]

Quote:
I spent 15 years on Queen Anne before moving back 'home' to southwest washington and now have about 110+ chickens. At least I think I do. They don't stand still to be counted and I'm endlessly hatching them out of the incubator becuase I'm a science dork.

Hullo, neighbor!

I'm always attracted to the country life, but I can't imagine taking the plunge. I grew up in an apartment, and have lived my whole adult life in cities.

That said, I really see the draw of moving out. I feel like I'm living in a shopping mall sometimes. An expensive shopping mall.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
You do not need cold tolerant breeds for Western Washington. You can raise all Medeterranean breeds without issue. Eastern Washington may get a bit sketchy if you are at high altitude. So, I wouldn't consider heat/cold tolerance in your decision.

The biggest issue is when getting new chicks is to monitor the night time low temperature. Within the first couple weeks of your chicks leaving their brooder, you won't want it to get below 40. Or if it does, provide a heat lamp at night.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
Yeah the cost of living in Seattle is pretty obnoxious. I remember going to the vet for the first time down here and he charged me $18 to check-up and vaccinate one of my dogs. It would have been $200 in Seattle.

We found ourselves bailing out of the City every Friday and coming back late Sunday (optimally timed of course to avoid the traffic). We drove all over the state. Then we got hooked going over to Ellensburg on Saturdays for the Farm Market... then Mt Vernon... then Walla Walla for wine. We saw people out in their fields making hay, we saw cows heading in to be millked, we drove by feedlots in disgust. We finally just decided there is more to life than a job and a nice home and that taking part in the production of our own food, and doing it to our own standards and ethics, was where we wanted to be.

I look at the meat in our freezer and it honestly would have costs us thousands of dollars at Whole Foods. There is a lot of pooh and death here, but we're also incredibly spoiled with good food and good hard work.

 

[AtRendeAcres]

4ft fence is fine!

I suggest still getting 3 (even if you make 1 a bantam)

if something happens to 1 it will still have company! Chickens are very social animals.

here is a thread with ideas for people who use dog houses just make sure you put a roost in! I believe everyone on the thread had more than 2 chickens!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8633&p=3

 

[JenniferC]

Follow up- so we got one barred rock and one brahma. We're splitting an oder of BRs and cochins from my pet chicken with a friend soon, so I only got 2 today.

I'm already so wishing we'd gotten 2 brahmas, and so are my daughters. the brahma chick is adorable- and sturdy, and friendly. She even sleeps standing up- how cute is that?

I may drive back to the feed store tomorrow to get another.

 

[JenniferC]

chickens are indeed addictive, and I've only had them 1 day!

 

[AtRendeAcres]

LOL

We all want more!!!!

Enjoy Brahma, BR & Cochins have great personalities (((remember to handle them a lot also)))

Wonderful choices!

 

[greyfields]

Agree! Good choices!