Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Chickielady]

I think my barred rock is a cockerel. I will try to get a pick posted tomorrow.

The store I got the chicks from had about 15 different types of chicks. On the list of what they ordered that could be white were leghorns, cornish x, red stars (the cockerels would be white), and that was it. They had barred rock pullets but no white rocks. However, they had signs saying what were in the brooders and there were more breeds on the signs than they had on the hatchery list. For example, they had a half dozen or so Buff Orpingtons but no record anywhere that they were selling them in the store. It was very confusing. I told the store that I didn't want any white chickens since they are going to be free range and I'm worried about a predator getting them. They looked at me like I was evil. Oh well...I love the chicks all just the same and will do my best to protect them. I have not been back to that store since I got the chicks.

Today I weighed all the chicks. They are 5 weeks old. The smallest one is the Welsummer and she is .6 pounds. The largest one is 1.6 pounds (she is gigantic) and looks like a RIR. The white ones are both around 1 pound so I doubt they could be Cornish Xs.

These are BABY cornish X...they are about 2 weeks past delivery from the hatchery, and from here you really cannot see their insanely heavy shanks and broad stance.
If you have never raised meat birds, then you will never understand what they are all about.
They are sparsley fledged, and grow with insanely fast growth, their shanks are heavy, heavier than any other breed.
In 2 weeks they will be DOUBLE the size of other breed chicks their same age.
By 1 month, the cornish X will be 3 X the size & weight on the other chicks their own age, and it goes on,

 

[Chickielady]

That's one of the big problems with feed stores never know what you're actually getting. Be interesting to see them grow. If it puts your mind at ease about light colored birds and predators there's really no truth to that, most predators vision is good enough that color or pattern don't matter. A hawk or eagle that is able to pick out field mice from hundreds of feet up in the air is going to see your birds regardless of color. So they're no harder to protect than anything else.

One of the best colorations I have ever seen, is Buster as you see in my avatar.
He disapears in the brush...amazing !
His coloration mimmicks dead dry grass & weeds perfectly...amazing, isn't it ?
And yes, birds of prey can see no matter what color, and they sight in so much so that often times they fail to see obstacles in the way, such as traffic, or bird netting.

 

[Chickielady]

Very true about the feed stores, we once bought "standard" chickens and got banties.

 

[Chickielady]

Hi, Matt, though i agree, it always seems that the white colored chickens get nabbed first especially by the coyotes before my fencing was done…but to prove Your point, yesterday a beautiful bald eagle had lunch at my expense and it was one of my rose-combed Ancona hens (black-white flecks)…..a definite color combo for safety but not for her…..eliz

 

[DeltaBluezTess]

I have all colors and the last hawk/eagles kills were Black Copper Marans, Blue Marans and Rhode Island Red. I have about 7 white chickens in that flack and not one was touched. The ones that were killed were big enough to carry off or small enough to eat on the ground and not put up a big fight like an adult. The white chickens were in that age range as well.

 

[Chickielady]

I have all colors and the last hawk/eagles kills were Black Copper Marans, Blue Marans and Rhode Island Red. I have about 7 white chickens in that flack and not one was touched. The ones that were killed were big enough to carry off or small enough to eat on the ground and not put up a big fight like an adult. The white chickens were in that age range as well.

Wow, that is awful !
That is alot of kills !

 

[Chickielady]

So everyone must be out enjoying this awesome weather !
I have been puttering in the garden myself...planting more & more everyday.
Einstein is on his way back from visiting his Dad in NorCal...he has been gone a very blissful relaxing week....it almost felt weird for a moment deciding what to cook for his dinner.
I am so happy with a salad or half a can of tuna (no cooking ! Weee !)
But not anymore.
Of course he is bringing back yet another double load of STUFF.
Our new house is getting smaller & smaller with every trip !

Even the mini barn is full....

Time to build a garage !

 

[Hinotori]

I was out mowing. Had to get to done. That foot and a half grass that grew in the last two weeks since I mowed was getting to be to much.

I have broodies sitting eggs and will hopefully have 13 partridge silkie chicks in a few weeks. I'll be keeping two to three pullets and a cockerel.

 

[clankeyes]

Expanding my flock and will be in need of a second coop... SO. besides stalking craigs list I thought to ask around. I live in the Bellingham area ... North of Seattle by 2.5 hours.

 

[ochochicas]

Keep stalking craigslist. I got my hen house (fully insulated), two older layers, and a full bag of feed all for $50. Cheaper than building one for sure! (Plus the hens are adorable and lay about 10 eggs a week still).