Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[ChristineR]

I like tools, I don't care what they're for, I like them and I like to use them.
The neat arraingment of things did not rub off on me though, sad to say, consequently I spend many hours looking for tools that I just laid down and can't find again. Apparently they go into a black vortex and disapear, never tobe seen again until of course I buy a new one to replace it. Then it shows up in plain sight. Yes God has a sense of humor, I think he has had many a belly-laugh on my antics.

Oh my - that's exactly what I do. It's like things just disappear into thin air! I don't want to know how many pairs of scissors I've bought. I lost my car keys at home about a year ago. I know they are at home, because I used them to drive there. I keep thinking they'll turn up in some random spot, but so far there's been no sign of them. I'm sure if I went and had another key made for a spare, the original set would turn up.

Here is what my Polish baby looks like today. Kinda reminds me of George Michael during the Wham era.

That is exactly what he looks like. Too funny!

 

[ChristineR]

Oh yeah - I forgot I was going to post this:

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month

Top 10 Toxins and Poisons for Dogs

1. Chocolates
2. Insect bait stations
3. Rodenticides (mouse and rat poison)
4. Fertilizers
5. Xylitol-containing products such as sugar-free gums, toothpaste and candies
6. Ibuprofen
7. Acetaminophen
8. Silica gel packs
9. Amphetamines, such as ADD/ADHD drugs
10. Household cleaners

 

[Hinotori]

I'm waiting to see, but it looks like another silkie hen is going broody. Woot! I have silkie eggs and a few ameraucana eggs set aside. I need to set the silkie eggs. I need to hatch some and hope for at least two girls and a boy. They are the barter I agreed on when I got the kittens. I just have to call and make sure she still wants silkies. I still need a few more ameraucana chicks for eggs this winter.

So I need the other silkie hens to go broody as well. Wish I could get them to on command.

 

[lilfarmmomma]

I am very far behind reading all the posts. This one hit a nerve for me though. I am so tired of dealing with the issues that have come up with the school, teacher issues, other students behaviors, etc...my kids are starting to hate school and they have always loved it (one wants to be a librarian) so we are starting 8th grade next year online for the twins. They are both looking forward to it so much. You can check it out at http://www.k12.com/wava#.UWcxB5OTjTe and they will ship everything you need right to your door. This is free online public school for anyone that lives in WA. We are all looking so forward to it. I can't wait I love spending time with my kids. This online school has outings, gatherings, potlucks, clubs, and events to participate in also, so you are not housebound, you will see and interact with plenty of other kids in a more supervised setting that is almost like extended family because all the other parents will be around.

Also, I got six new chicks last week. I will post a pic later. one barred rock, three golden sexlink, one rhode island red, and one americana. We have two from last year that have started laying eggs now. We are still new to owning chickens but we love it. And we don't get enough eggs, lol, so this is why I got some more chicks

Lisa

For the most part, my kiddos have not had a lot of issues in school. That being said, I feel I have been very fortunate with my kids' experiences, as I know several people who have not had the same experience. I have friends whos kids have been picked on, not by students, but by school staff. I also have a friend who has a son with ADHD, who would have fallen through the cracks if she had not stepped in when she did. I do feel that a child's learning experience starts at home, but at the same time, it seems that teachers do not seem to be held as accountable for their actions anymore either. Then there are the absolutely AWESOME teachers, who don't seem to get any recognition for what they do. My older son had the BEST teacher in 6th grade, totally involved with the kids' learning and on top of her classroom. She ended up getting laid off at the end of the year. Seriously? I am very concerned about my little guy starting Kindergarten and have considered home schooling him, but he is SO excited about starting school, that I am on the fence.

Congrats on your new chickies!! I love getting baby chicks.

 

[Hinotori]

Oh yeah - I forgot I was going to post this:

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month

Top 10 Toxins and Poisons for Dogs

1. Chocolates
2. Insect bait stations
3. Rodenticides (mouse and rat poison)
4. Fertilizers
5. Xylitol-containing products such as sugar-free gums, toothpaste and candies
6. Ibuprofen
7. Acetaminophen
8. Silica gel packs
9. Amphetamines, such as ADD/ADHD drugs
10. Household cleaners

I want to say that dark chocolate is a nasty way to go. Old and young dogs are most suseptable. We never were able to figure out how the bag of dark M&Ms got down off the counter. Fiery only ate an ounce or so. I induced vomiting and got her to the vet right away and they induced more and gave her charcoal. 20 minutes after they thought she might be ok, the seizures started. So we had to have her put down. It was so bad. I still cry thinking about her and it's been two years. She was my sweet little companion for 15 years. Helped me through the many Navy cruises DH went on. Even Mom who doesn't care for dogs liked her. She didn't jump on people or lick them. Just loved to lay back and be with you.

 

[ChristineR]

I want to say that dark chocolate is a nasty way to go. Old and young dogs are most suseptable. We never were able to figure out how the bag of dark M&Ms got down off the counter. Fiery only ate an ounce or so. I induced vomiting and got her to the vet right away and they induced more and gave her charcoal. 20 minutes after they thought she might be ok, the seizures started. So we had to have her put down. It was so bad. I still cry thinking about her and it's been two years. She was my sweet little companion for 15 years. Helped me through the many Navy cruises DH went on. Even Mom who doesn't care for dogs liked her. She didn't jump on people or lick them. Just loved to lay back and be with you.

I'm so sorry. That must have been awful.

 

[walady944]

Oh my - that's exactly what I do. It's like things just disappear into thin air! I don't want to know how many pairs of scissors I've bought. I lost my car keys at home about a year ago. I know they are at home, because I used them to drive there. I keep thinking they'll turn up in some random spot, but so far there's been no sign of them. I'm sure if I went and had another key made for a spare, the original set would turn up.

That is exactly what he looks like. Too funny!

that Polish baby is wonderful. I have one also just for fun and then am surprised to hear they lay medium sized white eggs at a pretty good clip.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Well, I fear that's not going to get finished today, alas.

I got MOST of the Ian-coop vaccumed, also the styrofoam pellets from beneath, but I've come to the point where I can pretend I didn't overoveroverdo yesterday and finish it, or do another load of laundry and take a shower and wash my hair early enough that it'll dry before I go to bed and put the sheep in and bring Deary in for the night and check all the hens for eggs (Deary, Maggie, and Quinta have yet to lay, but the latter was in her boudoir when I came in) and make sure Hannah isn't in labor for sure... and just not finish the coop cleaning until tomorrow.

What's the line, I'm so far behind on things I won't ever catch up enough to die?

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Do you guys ever get together to get birds transported around? I have a friend looking to get a goose from Monroe to either Graham or Vancouver. Anyone going this way?

I drive Semi between PDX and Lakewood Sunday thru Thursday nights and can meet at most any exit along I-5 between there. Just keep in mind I leave PDX around 10-11pm, arrive in Lakewood 1-3am. I have transported for CR in the past.

 

[nikki1]

Hi Neighbors. I am considering getting a dog. Anyone with any suggestions as to breeds that do well with chickens (I have just 4 girls), ones that do well outdoors in our area? (I am in Tacoma/Federal Way area near Dash Point State Park). I am hoping the dog will help protect the chickens, but I have read a lot of stories about dogs killing hens and I want to make sure I do things right. I would appreciate any advice at this point (I am just beginning my research). Thanks so much in advance for any insights.

We went through that same decision-making process recently, too. I'll share what we discovered.

First, a couple issues back, "Chickens" magazine had an article on this very subject. I wonder if you could find it online. It discussed not only what breeds tend to do well with chickens, but also how to train your dog to behave well.

We specifically avoided sporting breeds and hounds, due to their hunting heritage. We ruled out terriers, well, because I don't like terriers. We settled on a herding breed, as they tend to have an inborn feeling of responsibility. I grew up with shelties, who were excellent caretakers for our flock of rabbits. After much conversation, our family settled on a cardigan Welsh corgi.

We got our girl 2 months ago just before she turned a year old. We intended to do everything right, introducing her to The Girls gradually, etc., but it didn't work out that way. Her 4th day in our house, my 5 year old let her into the yard when the chickens were free-ranging. We panicked, but unnecessarily. Maddie is a herding dog from her enormous ears down to the tip of her wagging tail, even with no training. She immediately went into herd behavior, circled the flock. Okay, so the birds were terrified, but she showed no aggression. Now I take her out when I want the chickens in the coop, and I say, "Herd the chickens, Maddie!" and she gets them all into the coop.

Considering neither she nor I have ANY herding experience, I find all this pretty amazing. This summer I'm signing us up for herding lessons, because it seems a shame to waste her talent.

Anyway, happy hunting! I love having a dog, and even though we did everything about 75% wrong, it has worked out well. Here's our Maddie-girl!