Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Chickielady]

This is just the float, and the hose, which has a quick disconnect, the float is like the one in your toilet, only small, and can attach to just about any plastic tray, which needs to sit in front of your fan

http://cutlersupply.com/zen_new51/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_32&products_id=291

Tray, float valve, tubing & pads (I never use the pads, ever):

http://cutlersupply.com/zen_new51/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_32&products_id=292

And of course with this, you use your own clean, lidded 5 gallon bucket.

The whole mess looks like this in a gQf cabinet:


So, right on top of this incubator is the 5 gallon bucket of water, which runs down the blue hose into the incubator tray, which sits right in front of the fan/element.
A no-brainer if you decide to make your own bator.

Here is the heat element I used to make the hatching bator:

http://cutlersupply.com/zen_new51/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=375

I used my own cabinet, added a computer fan ( which blows down on the 2 sacred margarine buckets !) and we're in business.
Note: Lots of web sites carry gQf products, this is just one, and I like this company.
Prices can differ, also, so shop around.

 

[Chickielady]

Pictures to see:







Gray & cool here for 2 days, rained for 3 days, with Saturday being really muggy ! about 80 degrees...............
Today was raining pretty good, but luckily I got 2 coops gutted & cleaned out, new nest material & floor bedding...I wanted to paint but that has to waite !

 

[Chickielady]

One more hiding !
Sittin' Tight ! day 19>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>






And she is big Daddy's favorite and thee DEEEEVAA of the entire flock of Jersey Giants~~~~~~~~
Daddy awaites:


2 more daze>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[ReillyJ]

Hi Guys

Kind of new to BYC and didn't know there was a Washington thread

I am brand new to keeping chickens and have 4 hens, have had them for at least 2 months now. I switched from Purena Layena to Scratch and Peck and i don't yet ferment but i do wet it and the hens love it and eat all of it, i supplement with meal worms and some Manna Pro treats that have raisins, BOSS, etc. in it, i'll give them grapes, watermelon, etc. They do not free range yet but used to:

Have a couple questions if you all could provide feedback

1: i am holistic at heart which is why i switched over to Scratch and Peck Layer Feed however i have seen some posts that concern me, that it hasn't performed up to some posters standards, even with fermenting it.... ANY feedback from those who have fed it long term? I don't know what other corn/soy free organic food there is in WA state to feed that is really worth it? I live in Snohomish

2: My hens are in a large coop with a covered run, they were free range before because the neighbors stopped caring for them so i took them in. They've been in the coop and run for about 5 weeks and took right to the roost and nesting boxes. We are waiting to build a large pen so they can "free range" but i am wondering if i just opened the coop door and let them out before we get the pen up if we EVER do, if they would for sure come back in at night? Should i just wait another couple weeks until the pen is finally up?

Thanks for any advice and input!

 

[zebradreams07]

Not familiar with scratch and peck but depending on where you are in WA, there's Patriot Farms whole-grain feeds. I feed their standard layer but they also have a no corn/soy blend. All my birds look good, nice big eggs and I've even had double yolkers on it (though mine also free range.) As far as bringing them back in just make a point of giving them their goodies at night. Mine always want to roost anyway but any stragglers come running when they hear the feed can.

 

[CarolynF]

Hi Guys

Kind of new to BYC and didn't know there was a Washington thread

I am brand new to keeping chickens and have 4 hens, have had them for at least 2 months now. I switched from Purena Layena to Scratch and Peck and i don't yet ferment but i do wet it and the hens love it and eat all of it, i supplement with meal worms and some Manna Pro treats that have raisins, BOSS, etc. in it, i'll give them grapes, watermelon, etc. They do not free range yet but used to:

Have a couple questions if you all could provide feedback

1: i am holistic at heart which is why i switched over to Scratch and Peck Layer Feed however i have seen some posts that concern me, that it hasn't performed up to some posters standards, even with fermenting it.... ANY feedback from those who have fed it long term? I don't know what other corn/soy free organic food there is in WA state to feed that is really worth it? I live in Snohomish

2: My hens are in a large coop with a covered run, they were free range before because the neighbors stopped caring for them so i took them in. They've been in the coop and run for about 5 weeks and took right to the roost and nesting boxes. We are waiting to build a large pen so they can "free range" but i am wondering if i just opened the coop door and let them out before we get the pen up if we EVER do, if they would for sure come back in at night? Should i just wait another couple weeks until the pen is finally up?

Thanks for any advice and input!

Do your hens respond to treats, i.e., come running when they see or hear the treats container? If they do it would reinforce that they appreciate their new home. They learn pretty fast and it sounds like they are comfortable with their new coop. If it were me I'd give it a try at least once.

 

[elizmartin]

Not familiar with scratch and peck but depending on where you are in WA, there's Patriot Farms whole-grain feeds. I feed their standard layer but they also have a no corn/soy blend. All my birds look good, nice big eggs and I've even had double yolkers on it (though mine also free range.) As far as bringing them back in just make a point of giving them their goodies at night. Mine always want to roost anyway but any stragglers come running when they hear the feed can.

I use Scratch & Peck but mix it with Flock raiser, some Game bird ( extra protein but one that does not have Ethoxiquin) and regular layer pellets. Most get to free range and they are starting to look good since i went in this direction.

Once they become used to their coop especially if their feed is inside….they should return at night. its a comfort thing. If the neighbors still have chickens or their coop they could wander over and stay…..i have a couple who go awall to be with those they grew up with rather than the coop they belong in….

 

[ochochicas]

My hens have always been really good about going back to the coop at night. Even the new hens we got went right back in. If you let them out though, keep in mind that they will be more at risk for certain predators (neighboring dogs, etc.) If they have already been in the coop for a few weeks you shouldn't have any trouble with them going back as soon as it starts to get dark.

 

[Chickielady]

Tomorrow we should have the LAST hatch of the year with MsDiva Jersey Giant's litter of puppies.
They should be up & running around the yard when you all come to the BBQ !

Saturday July 26th !

 

[Pookie_Momma]

Ok little nervous... I had to pull this little guy out. It was looking like it was drying to quickly I was right. so I went him down and helped him. Do you think it will be ok. There was no blood but it seems really tired.

Any idea on what to do now?