Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[lilfarmmomma]

Started working out again yesterday. This is gonna be a LONG road to getting in shape. I'm SO sore today! But I'm not gonna quit. My family needs me around for a long time. Next scheduled workout: Today during naptime

Yay for getting in shape!

My daughter got Just Dance 3 for the Wii for Christmas 2011. I started doing that every morning this last fall. You would not believe how sore I was, but felt so good after a few days. Then, her schedule changed for winter quarter and I quit, because I will not "dance" in front of anyone. (Except my birds.) Spring quarter starts in a couple weeks and I will get back to it. I can't wait!! That, and working my garden/building my chickies' run, I should be in better shape in no time.

 

[flirty31]

Not going to sugar coat it. I've always had parrots and budgies and was always told and read it as well, one you see a bird with symptoms, it's often too late. You done good with what you did.
Anyway, I'm reducing my flock, but I'm up in Blaine. Mine lay olive and blue eggs.

I find that newly introduced hens take a day or two to settle in but then do great. There is always a pecking order to deal with and once that is established, all is fine.

Mark

Thanks so much, Mark!

 

[flirty31]

I had that happen. It was awful. My sympathies.

Thank you so much, on one hand I am glad that others have seen something like this (just so I know I didn't totally do something wrong). But on the other hand, I am sorry this happened to anyone

 

[flirty31]

Me.. I'd find two birds from someone I feel comfortable with, and I'd sneak them in at night. No quarantine.

That's that *I* would do.


Here's what I think you should do:

First, as best as you can, you need to realize that you did nothing to cause the death of your bird. And what you describe, I've never heard of before, so I highly doubt you'll ever experience anything even remotely close to that again. Trust in the odds

Second, I think you should get two birds from someone you feel comfortable with and put them in your dog pen. You should try and get 2 of similar age, who come from the same flock. This will ensure the pecking order between the two of them is already in place (could be challenged on a move but that's ok) and if they do have any ickies, they will both have them so it will be easier to spot. Find out when the last time they were wormed, and with what. If that was a few mo ago, I suggest you use Eprinix as soon as you can after getting them home. For periods of time around 30 days keeping them in close quarters means that you need to watch for pecking. As long as the two birds dont try and eat each other, they will be ok for a month. If after two or three weeks you feel comfortable, introduce your new birds. Having them free range separately (new and old pairs) after you've had the new ones for a week would seem ok to me.

Flirty - that's my opinion. Take it as such. Some will agree others will not. But what is really comes down to is ---- do what you are comfortable with

Dave

Thanks Dave, that is a very detailed plan, I appreciate it!

 

[flirty31]

Hi,
I haven't caught up with this topic tonight so excuse me if I'm jumping in in the middle....

I'm sooooo terribly sorry for what you had to go thru with you girl, I can hardly imagine having to figure that all out and having your heart break as she suffered. I'm so proud of you for doing what you needed to do and what you had to do.

I started with 2 pullets and a few month later added one more. Later I decided to re-home one of the three, then added another singleton. It was easier the first time perhaps because my original 2 girls were under a year old. By the time I did it again they were more mature and set in their ways. When I add to the flock I spend time with a spray bottle and squirt anyone being aggressive. If you have kids, they love helping. If you have to add just one, it can be done. Was the girl you lost #1, 2, or 3 in the line-up? If she was #1, adding a new bird could be easier while they are still reestablishing a new order.

Cowgirlgrace has ameraucanas that have started laying, so they're under a year. She may have others, you'd have to ask her. Raincreek in Port Orchard (google her) has a variety of birds of various ages. She advertises on CL, too.

If it were me, and had limited space in the run, I'd add just one bird. The discomfort of being the new girl will be short lived. Perhaps choosing a breed that's not shy and retiring would help, too.

Take care and good luck.

Thanks so much for your input. I am honestly not sure whether my girl was #3 or #1. She was the largest, and at one time I thought she was #1, but then when they'd free range the other 2 would stay together while she roamed alone. I'm not sure if that meant she was more independent or she was "left out."

The other 2 are only about 5 months old, so I guess they're at a good age for adding another gal. I appreciate that you think adding just one would work ok.

I am going to have to try to hook up with cowgirlgrace or raincreek. My folks live in Port Orchard, so that's not a problem for me.

Thanks again!

 

[CarolynF]

Any other BYC in Pacific Beach area?

Hey Mrs.... Welcome to the group. Pull up a chair and stay for awhile. We're from all over, but I'm not sure who is close to you. I'm in Kitsap.

 

[KMHunter]

Quote: X2!

I know someone else already suggested contacting Cowgirlgrace, but I am going to second that suggestion. She has great birds and cares well for them. I would get some from her if I was in the market. Just my 2 cents.

 

[HoneysuckleHills]

Is that where the BCM I got from you came from?

Yup!
I've missed her and her gorgeous eggs but I know you've given her and Willow a great home.
I'm working on getting a larger space dedicated to the girls.
When I do, I'm getting another BCM and a Wellsummer, too.
It's an addiction, I tell you.....

 

[walady944]

walady - first, how's your first week of retirement?
next, you need just a couple more chicks, do you now?

lastly, there's a poster named Illia who had some amazing BCMs laying incredibly dark eggs.
If she still is breeding her line, those are the ones I'd get.
PS: All the babies are doing well. Getting big!

LOL, very funny, I know I don't really need any more chicks but do WANT a couple Marans. So wanted
to get them soon so they are all closer in age. My cream legbars were delayed, so don't get them til next week.
How do I PM Illia if I cannot find a post of hers? Have been trying to figure it out . . . also wanted to PM CowGirlGrace
but don't see any posts of hers either. I'm not as tech savvy as I thought!
Retirement is going great, but am busy, busy. Trying to get a strawberry bed fixed up so I can plant those nice starts
you gave me. Thanks for all your help.
Glad to hear your babies are growing big.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Here is my youngest chick, barely 5 weeks old, and RIR, and Lucy has already abandoned them during the day. Poor thing needed a little warmth from me yesterday so I brought her in for 10 minutes. She is so sweet!