Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[BGMatt]

Hello my fellow Washingtonians, I have a question and wanted all your opinions on it

What are your thoughts on the long term health of hatchery vs. breeder hens? Specifically, LF brown egg layers breeds - not hybrids? If all things are equal in how they are raised ( quality food, fresh water, clean conditions, adequate ventilation, etc) have you found that hens from reputable breeders have proven to have better reproductive health ( less prone to EYP, internal laying etc) then hatchery birds? I am not looking for maximum egg count but as much as my older GSLs have suffered with reproductive issues I really don't want any other birds to go through that. So far my BR & EE (also hatchery) seem to be holding up better. I don't need SOP/SQ birds but would certainly be willing to pay more for chicks and/or pullets if there was a better chance for long term health. Thanks and for those Westerners like myself - enjoy the sunshine

Most of the time yes you will have less issues as you mention with stock from a good breeder. The size difference as others have said is because they breed or early lay, that's it. That's also why the type is not to SOP on birds because they breed for early eggs production and lots of it regardless of what breed it is. Since they replace their flock every year long term health or long term production is not important. Small size doesn't matter because they're not butchering extras for meat. I would still encourage you to seek out a breeder who does breed to the Standard even if you don't have any interest in show, the reason being that the standard is not written for aesthetic reasons. Form follows function and the standard is written for each breed to best meet its original purpose, be it eggs, meat, dual purpose with more emphasis on one or the other etc etc. As far as breed recommendations for the NW, unless you're in the high mountains most breeds do really well here. I feel the ultimate home flock fowl is the Langshan. A very old, very hearty healthy breed. They are excellent layers, and the cockerels get to good size for eating. They may be hard to locate locally though (until next year at least). There are some excellent breeders of Jersey Giants, Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes out here and those would all be good fowl for dual purpose fowl.

 

[Manningjw]

Do either of you have recommendations for breeds that are well suited to PNW living? I prefer larger docile breeds over the smaller flighty types since we live in town with very close neighbors.
And thanks for your opinions!

From what I have read for being docile Buff Orpingtons are about as friendly as they get but not the best layers and can go broody. As for us, our least flighty have been our Black Australorps which were hatchery stock. As many others have said - most birds will be just fine in the PNW provided a half decent shelter.

Right now I am raising some mix breed Australorp/White Leghorn/Ameraucana crosses which have been the friendliest batch of birds we have ever had, they jump on top of their pullet coop and come up to us to be pet and held. So far they are showing very good hybrid vigor too. Austra-white might be a good option for you, larger than leghorns, great layers but inherit some of the personality of the more docile Australorp.

 

[CarolynF]

Do either of you have recommendations for breeds that are well suited to PNW living? I prefer larger docile breeds over the smaller flighty types since we live in town with very close neighbors.
And thanks for your opinions!

Australorps, Orpingtons, LF Favorelles, Marans. Oh... and Ameraucanas, (I got mine from Cowgirlgrace, I've handled her a lot since she was tiny, she's quite gentle at 4.5 months.) Gotta love those pretty eggs, too!

p.s. Be wary of the person currently on CL that claims to be offering "high quality" organic heritage breeds. They're just raising hatchery birds on organic feed. Their descriptions and images are taken verbatim from hatchery sites.... and they aren't even accurate!

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

My Muscovy ducklings hatched today More then i thought would so far 11 healthy babies, and 8 more ready to hatch.
I want to sell a few to good homes for $5 each plz let me know if you are interested, I'm in tacoma. you'd have to come to my place. they are straight run. 3 yellows, and a few grayish...

 

[Ogress]

DH is a sys admin/desk top tech support guy for a bunch of structural engineers, cartographers, and "make sure the bridges meet in the middle" folks at WS-DOT (it was by ignoring the latter the project manager for the Sprague Street project proved that design-build is not a substitute for "check measurements") but even he would rather replace a bad computer than spend a whole weekend reviving one with a dead hard drive. Although I think Ogress's sounds more like a bad power supply or possibly a sick video chip.

I think in my case it is that DH spends all his days fixing bugs and such that any computer he sees outside of work must be for fun only. He blames everything on the fact that I have a Facebook account and other social stuff. I really hit a sore button with him when I got my i-phone as he works on the Windows phone.

 

[Ogress]

Cool! I don't raise ducks but I love Muscovies. Sometimes I think I need them to control the mosquito population! But I have enough animals.

 

[blairdom]

Hi EVERYONE!!

I've frequented this site many times for tips and information, but I'm only now just joining out of necessity.

I recently moved into a rental house and was not informed by the owner that the it belongs to an HOA nor was I provided a copy of the CC&Rs.

Unfortunately, the convenants of the home owners association don't allow chickens. A neighbor reported us the very first day and the association board is being very aggressive in trying to get us to vacate our pets. We basically have around 2 days to find a solution.

We have 7 hens and 2 muscovy ducks. The birds are all very sweet natured and have been hand raised.

Ideally, we'd like to retain the rights of one particular hen and the two ducks--they hold significant sentimental value to my five-year-old daughter. The other 6 hens, while dear to us, would appreciate a gentle new home. I'm very open to paying for boarding the two ducks and one hen. I'm open to many solutions; so, please talk to me.

Wish me luck!

Brad

 

[CoopDeDoo]

Most of the time yes you will have less issues as you mention with stock from a good breeder.

The size difference as others have said is because they breed or early lay, that's it. That's also why the type is not to SOP on birds because they breed for early eggs production and lots of it regardless of what breed it is. Since they replace their flock every year long term health or long term production is not important. Small size doesn't matter because they're not butchering extras for meat.

I would still encourage you to seek out a breeder who does breed to the Standard even if you don't have any interest in show, the reason being that the standard is not written for aesthetic reasons. Form follows function and the standard is written for each breed to best meet its original purpose, be it eggs, meat, dual purpose with more emphasis on one or the other etc etc.

As far as breed recommendations for the NW, unless you're in the high mountains most breeds do really well here. I feel the ultimate home flock fowl is the Langshan. A very old, very hearty healthy breed. They are excellent layers, and the cockerels get to good size for eating. They may be hard to locate locally though (until next year at least). There are some excellent breeders of Jersey Giants, Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes out here and those would all be good fowl for dual purpose fowl.

Thanks - I will research Langshans, that is a breed I am not very familiar with. I'm not looking to get any birds right now - just planning for the next couple of years. I do "chicken planning" like I do "garden planning" - drool over catalogs, pour over any book I can get my hands on, go on tours, etc

I sent in my application and membership fee to the APA last week and I plan to attend the fairs and any local shows I can find to familiarize myself with breeds and breeders ( and drool )

I currently have two hatchery Buckeye pullets in the grow out pen and I am really please with their disposition. They are such sweet girls and really quiet. Of course all that might change once they are in with the big girls.

 

[CoopDeDoo]

double post

 

[CoopDeDoo]

Hi EVERYONE!!

I've frequented this site many times for tips and information, but I'm only now just joining out of necessity.

I recently moved into a rental house and was not informed by the owner that the it belongs to an HOA nor was I provided a copy of the CC&Rs.

Unfortunately, the convenants of the home owners association don't allow chickens. A neighbor reported us the very first day and the association board is being very aggressive in trying to get us to vacate our pets. We basically have around 2 days to find a solution.

We have 7 hens and 2 muscovy ducks. The birds are all very sweet natured and have been hand raised.

Ideally, we'd like to retain the rights of one particular hen and the two ducks--they hold significant sentimental value to my five-year-old daughter. The other 6 hens, while dear to us, would appreciate a gentle new home. I'm very open to paying for boarding the two ducks and one hen. I'm open to many solutions; so, please talk to me.

Wish me luck!

Brad

Hello

Where are you located and what are the age/breed of hens that you need to rehome? I am not looking for birds but I may know a few people who might be interested.