Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Melnurse]

We came up form T.O., not far from you! We have been here 8 yrs and 4 months. No regrets, and I hope the same for you.

No regrets here either. I get to work from home (for the same CA company I was working for when I moved). Do enjoy those rare flashes of sunny days ( looks like today will be one of those) and now get to figure out how chickens fair in the cold weather. Do you know what predators are the biggest here for them (besides neighborhood dogs)?

 

[Melnurse]

Ahhh.... chenille.... I've admired it but never made it. There's a fabric store in Port Orchard where the owner does a LOT of chenille, and she's very creative. I like the jackets she does with it.

Monroe is NE of Seattle and it's the location of one of our best fairs, the Evergreen State Fair. The shows (quilt & poultry) are held at the fairgrounds. The poultry show will be March 15 from about 9ish to about 4:30ish and it's free. Hundreds of birds so it's a real hoot if you've never been before. It's a drafty barn, so dress warm. There will be folks from all over the NW. What area are you in?

We're in Maple Valley (2 years now in WA) from CA originally.

 

[CarolynF]

No regrets here either. I get to work from home (for the same CA company I was working for when I moved). Do enjoy those rare flashes of sunny days ( looks like today will be one of those) and now get to figure out how chickens fair in the cold weather. Do you know what predators are the biggest here for them (besides neighborhood dogs)?

Racoons are a MAJOR issue. People tend to ignore how strong, tenacious, and crafty they are. Be sure the bottom 3 ft. of your enclosure is half inch hardware cloth so they can't reach inside. Their M.O. is to grab the chicken's neck and rip it off! It happens a LOT. Coyotes are also a big thing so it's wise to have an apron of heavy duty wire around the perimeter of your enclosure that extends 18" - 24" out, and attached to the bottom of the enclosure. Mine is under and inch or two of dirt so I don't trip over it. It deters digging under the fence. Hawks and Eagles are also very good at snatching chickens. Some kind of roof/net/wire over the enclosure is very useful. When they're free ranging, having a variety of bushes or structures to dash under is also very good.

It doesn't get cold enough to be a big issue in our area, definitely not cold enough for heat lamps. A secure coop that stays dry during the heavy rains and doesn't allow the wind to howl thru it is usually enough. They still need plenty of ventilation -- near the ceiling is good so it doesn't create drafts.

 

[BGMatt]

From what I read older birds can still carry the virus but successive generations show less direct mortality from the virus but are less productive and have a higher susceptibility to other diseases because of immune suppression.  Like others have posted and even the linked sources state it is very hard to eradicate from an area.  While adults may be more resistant and less likely to show outward symptoms, it doesn't mean they are immune from being carriers and spreading it to a flock that is not infected. 

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._bursal_disease_in_poultry.html?qt=infectious

Perhaps you can show where it says older birds may be carriers? Oh wait you can't because it doesn't exist. Don't spread misinformation. Birds over 18 weeks are not affected, period. Immune.

Also confirmation came this morning via email PNPA has cancelled their April show because of the ignorant masses panicking about this and worry about low attendance numbers. Good job "sky is falling" type people, you have once again ruined things for people that know what they're doing.

 

[CoopDeDoo]

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._bursal_disease_in_poultry.html?qt=infectious

Perhaps you can show where it says older birds may be carriers? Oh wait you can't because it doesn't exist. Don't spread misinformation. Birds over 18 weeks are not affected, period. Immune.

Also confirmation came this morning via email PNPA has cancelled their April show because of the ignorant masses panicking about this and worry about low attendance numbers. Good job "sky is falling" type people, you have once again ruined things for people that know what they're doing.

That's a shame. I hope that the Monroe show isn't cancelled

Edit: I realize the PNPA is a more prestigious show - I just really want to pick up my BBS JG eggs from Robin

at Monroe.

 

[BGMatt]

That's a shame. I hope that the Monroe show isn't cancelled   Edit: I realize the PNPA is a more prestigious show - I just really want to pick up my BBS JG eggs from Robin  at Monroe. 

They'd have no reason to. Entry fees have already been collected. The worry about losing a ton of money would be key for PNPA cancellation. Not cheap to host a show and if panic kept numbers low, which were already going to be lower than normal due to Easter being the same weekend, it could be a disaster for club.

Edit: Just a logical opinion, no inside info, but very familiar with the costs associated.

 

[Melnurse]

Racoons are a MAJOR issue. People tend to ignore how strong, tenacious, and crafty they are. Be sure the bottom 3 ft. of your enclosure is half inch hardware cloth so they can't reach inside. Their M.O. is to grab the chicken's neck and rip it off! It happens a LOT. Coyotes are also a big thing so it's wise to have an apron of heavy duty wire around the perimeter of your enclosure that extends 18" - 24" out, and attached to the bottom of the enclosure. Mine is under and inch or two of dirt so I don't trip over it. It deters digging under the fence. Hawks and Eagles are also very good at snatching chickens. Some kind of roof/net/wire over the enclosure is very useful. When they're free ranging, having a variety of bushes or structures to dash under is also very good.

It doesn't get cold enough to be a big issue in our area, definitely not cold enough for heat lamps. A secure coop that stays dry during the heavy rains and doesn't allow the wind to howl thru it is usually enough. They still need plenty of ventilation -- near the ceiling is good so it doesn't create drafts.

Thank you so much, Carolyn, we have seen some racoons in our front yard, no coyotes yet, but plenty of hawks and eagles (almost daily). We are implementing all of your suggestions (did some good reading on this site) and even changed the hasps on the coop door so that the racoon's nimble fingers can't figure it out. One suggestion was to have a lock on the door with the key hanging nearby at all times - they're smart, but won't be able to insert a key into the lock!

I'm happy to hear about the cold issue. We were going to wire some electrical down there for the cold nights/days (the lake does freeze in the shallow end where our house is).

Once again thank you!
Mel

 

[cieraphoto]

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._bursal_disease_in_poultry.html?qt=infectious

Perhaps you can show where it says older birds may be carriers? Oh wait you can't because it doesn't exist. Don't spread misinformation. Birds over 18 weeks are not affected, period. Immune.

Also confirmation came this morning via email PNPA has cancelled their April show because of the ignorant masses panicking about this and worry about low attendance numbers. Good job "sky is falling" type people, you have once again ruined things for people that know what they're doing.

I was going to attend the show. I'll just leave it at that. I have lots more to say but won't. There aren't very many shows in WA. It really is a bummer.

 

[CarolynF]

Quote:

You're right about finding lots of good ideas here on BYC, I did a lot of reading too, and learned a lot. Funny that you should mention the locks, when we first built our coop it was recommended to put 2 different locks on each door for that very reason, one high and one low. On one of the doors it didn't make sense so I used a small combination lock - no key needed. People always ask if I'm afraid someone is going to steal my chickens!

I have electrical to my coop for lights but I don't heat. Heat can actually be a problem -- first the fire danger, second they will be heartier if you don't heat the coop at night. In E. Washington it's different due to much colder temps. When we look around the yard at all the wild birds, they're perfectly happy and healthy even on the coldest days, even the hummingbirds. (Yes we have hummingbirds all winter.) Mother nature has given them a terrific down coat and it's works really well. But you might want to make their perch from a 2x4 so they can sit on the 4" side and cover their toes at night.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

ug easter is coming up isn't it? I don't even have ducks laying eggs to set on yet. I love having easter ducklings. makes easter more exciting.
I already have homes lined up for ducklings. probably more homes for them then what i'd be able to hatch.