Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[lisa1hess]

Hello Washingtonians!! I am new to the area and preparing for new chicks this spring.....just wondering what you all prefer, medicated or non medicated starter feed?? I was in Utah and had no issues raising 6 chicks last year, but I didn't want to force them to move. It appears I will have lots more predators here with all the beautiful trees!!

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

If anyone has or expects to have Muscovy fertile eggs please PM me.

when mine begin laying they will be fertile eggs my male is keeping up with his girls.

 

[Lutefisk]

Hello Washingtonians!! I am new to the area and preparing for new chicks this spring.....just wondering what you all prefer, medicated or non medicated starter feed?? I was in Utah and had no issues raising 6 chicks last year, but I didn't want to force them to move. It appears I will have lots more predators here with all the beautiful trees!!

Welcome to the Pacific Northwet! Non-medicated (and organic/soy free) here. The medication is only necessary if you can't keep their water and brooder reasonably clean. Using a nipple waterer and/or vinegar in the water helps.

 

[Dwkuska]

Hello Washingtonians!! I am new to the area and preparing for new chicks this spring.....just wondering what you all prefer, medicated or non medicated starter feed?? I was in Utah and had no issues raising 6 chicks last year, but I didn't want to force them to move. It appears I will have lots more predators here with all the beautiful trees!!

So your in washington now and have not updated your profile? I myself like Rhode Island Reds and White leghorns. All my ladies are super friendly and pump out eggs like it was the end of the world. I also have a silkie just for fun who makes me laugh everytime I see here fluffy lil butt walking around the yard. Cheers and

 

[lisa1hess]

Welcome to the Pacific Northwet! Non-medicated (and organic/soy free) here. The medication is only necessary if you can't keep their water and brooder reasonably clean. Using a nipple waterer and/or vinegar in the water helps.

 

[lisa1hess]

Thanks Lutefisk, that's the direction I'm planning, though I was super nervous with my girls last time and used the medicated as well as vinegar. Any advice for the rain? I have a fairly large coop, and we are creating a large (50x30) covered run. The climate is so totally opposite from Utah, so it will definitely be different.

 

[lisa1hess]

So your in washington now and have not updated your profile? I myself like Rhode Island Reds and White leghorns. All my ladies are super friendly and pump out eggs like it was the end of the world. I also have a silkie just for fun who makes me laugh everytime I see here fluffy lil butt walking around the yard. Cheers and

Thanks for the call out dwkuska! I will get that profile updated!! I had barred rock and orpingtons in Utah....my list is getting long for all the sweet chicks I hope to get. I also would love a silkie, they are just so endearing!! Thanks so much for your reply!!

 

[Dwkuska]

Thanks for the call out dwkuska! I will get that profile updated!! I had barred rock and orpingtons in Utah....my list is getting long for all the sweet chicks I hope to get. I also would love a silkie, they are just so endearing!! Thanks so much for your reply!!

lol wasn't trying to throw you under the bus. I was just clarifying for my own edification. Wife and I use medicated for the the first 4 weeks while they live in the garage. It doesnt cost much more than none medicated and even if its not needed... it cant hurt. As far as the rain my chickens done mind it. I have a 8x24 chicken run with 8x16 of it covered. Most of the day when I or the dw are home the chickens roam around the yard and dont seem to mind the rain much at all. Cept for my polish and my silkie who I think just hate life when it rains lol

 

[Lutefisk]

Thanks Lutefisk, that's the direction I'm planning, though I was super nervous with my girls last time and used the medicated as well as vinegar. Any advice for the rain? I have a fairly large coop, and we are creating a large (50x30) covered run. The climate is so totally opposite from Utah, so it will definitely be different.

Ours are free in a 3/4 acre fenced back yard and they are fine with rain or snow. Their coop is a 4x8 tractor. They tend to sleep in if there is snow on the ground and will keep under eaves or trees or bushes during downpours or hail but otherwise don't seem to mind getting wet. They do appreciate a dry place to dust bathe, which is provided by an infrequently used utility trailer which is always dry underneath.

 

[Cloudseeker]

Rain? ................ Oh, you mean that liquid sunshine that turns my chicken yard into a sticky mess, right?

As long as my chix have a dry place to roost they don't seem to mind it..... although I don't get anywhere near as many eggs after several wet days as I should! The good thing about the cold weather is that the mud freezes, so there is no slip sliding in the chix yard!