Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[CarolynF]

There are definitely seven chicks, four splash and three blue. Now the big question is how many pullets. Oh, well, the wait will feel short since I also have to ready myself for my daughter's wedding in the interim.

In other news: this week has been a constant grind grind, more or less, and today . I had to go check the cattle to get an eartag number so my sister can file registration forms for the calves she wants to show; they were all at the end of the field furthest from the house, of course. That was after a full day of cleaning and laundry and other domestic delights, plus the usual sheep and chicken stuff. Luckily my daughter came over and helped with egg sorting so I can give Total Colour hatching eggs tomorrow without having to do it tomorrow morning while I'm still half-asleep, or tonight when I really need to sort socks so I can wash them in the morning.

ETA: My daughter's photo showing all seven chicks:

Such a sweet little family!
Did you sort your socks yet? ;-)

 

[BGMatt]

Any Western washington Silkie owners? I got a silkie in my last batch of chicks and I know they need to stay under the light a bit longer then normal chickens. My question is, since they are not as hardy as other chickens do I have to keep it indoors during the winter? Or will a heatlamp in the coop suffice? I appreciate any insight.

Dry is the key factor here. Not temperature. Obviously due to the nature of their feathers silkies absorb water much more readily than others, so make sure they have a place to stay dry and get dry and you'll be ok.

 

[Dwkuska]

Ok fantastic! I am currently building a run 24'x8' with a coop attached externally. I intend to roof the entire run. if nothing else to keep the run from turning into a mud pit. Obviously being in western washington keeping chickens dry is a bit of an issue. On a side note the other day when it rained I laughed so hard. half the hens looked like drowned rats. I guess I just assumed chicken feathers were water proof.

 

[Hinotori]

Any Western washington Silkie owners? I got a silkie in my last batch of chicks and I know they need to stay under the light a bit longer then normal chickens. My question is, since they are not as hardy as other chickens do I have to keep it indoors during the winter? Or will a heatlamp in the coop suffice? I appreciate any insight.

My silkies live in a dog house. I don't give them extra light or heat in winter. I do have to keep them in their covered run when it's raining because they won't come in from the rain. It apparently doesn't bother them, but they look like little drowned chickens. They have raised chicks even in winter successfully. All the adults let the babies sleep under them, so everyone is always warm.

I've actually had silkies sleeping outside on the ground lately. I think they have been getting to warm.

 

[fikeyismybaby]

Any Western washington Silkie owners? I got a silkie in my last batch of chicks and I know they need to stay under the light a bit longer then normal chickens. My question is, since they are not as hardy as other chickens do I have to keep it indoors during the winter? Or will a heatlamp in the coop suffice? I appreciate any insight.

I had a silkie and we just let her go where she wanted. None of my chickens go inside during rain. They seem not to care about it. We have no other cover besides the coop. We gave her no heat in the winter and she went out with the other chickens.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

There are definitely seven chicks, four splash and three blue. Now the big question is how many pullets. Oh, well, the wait will feel short since I also have to ready myself for my daughter's wedding in the interim. In other news: this week has been a constant grind grind, more or less, and today . I had to go check the cattle to get an eartag number so my sister can file registration forms for the calves she wants to show; they were all at the end of the field furthest from the house, of course. That was after a full day of cleaning and laundry and other domestic delights, plus the usual sheep and chicken stuff. Luckily my daughter came over and helped with egg sorting so I can give Total Colour hatching eggs tomorrow without having to do it tomorrow morning while I'm still half-asleep, or tonight when I really need to sort socks so I can wash them in the morning. ETA: My daughter's photo showing all seven chicks:

Such a sweet little family! Did you sort your socks yet? ;-)

No, I got blocked from laundry by DH putting a bunch of stuff that was in his office in the washer, and various other stupid stuff including having to wash the boots I'm wearing because I missed a dog bomb. Luckily it's cool enough today for me to wear winter socks.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Actually, there are eight chicks: five splash, three blue. I just swapped out the nest box bottom (cheap cat litter boxes are great nest boxes) and this is what was in the hatch site:

The new nest box has a cut-down entry and a non-skid bridge.

 

[Totalcolour]

Actually, there are eight chicks: five splash, three blue. I just swapped out the nest box bottom (cheap cat litter boxes are great nest boxes) and this is what was in the hatch site:




The new nest box has a cut-down entry and a non-skid bridge.

You said you set 7 eggs, so eight chicks hatching is a much greater hatch rate than 100% - how very cool!

 

[Totalcolour]

I'm setting a "LOT" of eggs tomorrow night. I like to set eggs on the weekend so that we have hatchlings on the weekend. Silly, but himself is here to help with any issues.

I really hope I can get that extra hatch rate that Stumpfarmer gets. I reckon it's that good broody she has.

Well, better get off and cook those little quail that are sitting on the sink. At least, I think they are quail, they might be pigeons, although I think they are a bit small for that. I really must learn to label stuff when I put it in the freezer.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

I'm setting a "LOT" of eggs tomorrow night. I like to set eggs on the weekend so that we have hatchlings on the weekend. Silly, but himself is here to help with any issues.

I really hope I can get that extra hatch rate that Stumpfarmer gets. I reckon it's that good broody she has.

Well, better get off and cook those little quail that are sitting on the sink. At least, I think they are quail, they might be pigeons, although I think they are a bit small for that. I really must learn to label stuff when I put it in the freezer. 

I hatched ten out of thirteen of my Hamburg eggs in that imperfect (although gratefully used and would be repeating except wedding) styrofoam incubator: I suspect it's my personal charm or possibly vitaminD and B6 (by way of pulled grass and romaine lettuce) supplementation. The great broody is a distinct help, though: eight for eight!

I'm the contrary to you: I'm never again setting for a weekend hatch, because weekends is when I've got a chance to get off the place for a while.

It was great seeing you!