Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[hallerlake]

A week ago, we were talking about trees. Someone asked if we could recommend a book about trees suitable for our area. I knew what I wanted to recommend, but couldn't find my copy, so I didn't know the author. I found it last night (looking for something else, of course). It's Trees and Shrubs for Pacific Northwest Gardens by John A. Grant and Carol L. Grant.

 

[Majombaszo]

Ah, darn. I guess I won't take the moss then. I'm sure I'd kill it. We have an open back yard, with lots of sunlight. It's probably why the moss I've tried to put in the wire baskets died so quick even though I'd water it often. Majombaszo - thanks for the offer though.

What will work well lining my wire planter boxes besides cocoa mat? That's what I have been using and I think it's ugly.

Have you thought about or tried chia seeds or wheatgrass seeds? You'd have to 'mow' your boxes but those seeds would grow on an urban sidewalk if they are watered properly. You could grow them on your coco coir.

 

[RonB]

I would break her of being broody.

I have the best luck when I put the hen in a suspended, wire-bottom cage. She gets food and water, but no 'cell mate', and usually serves a sentence of 3 days. Then she's allowed to return to the rest of the flock. If necessary, I return her to 'solitary confinement' for another 3 days. Some folks use a cage that hangs. Mine is on 'legs' and is about 3' off the floor. I believe this works because the hen does not feel 'safe' with the wire bottom cage.

Good luck!

I wonder if this would straighten out my DW and a few women on this page

you know kind of bring them back down to earth and help them think more clearly and remember WHO really RULES THE ROOST ??? what do ya think CR

I have a coop that would hold about FOUR of them! Doesn't have heat or a mirror for them to put their makeup on, But women are tough right ladies

 

[FlyRobinFly]

Quote: Thanks Ruth! You're wonderful.

I am discovering I do not have much black in my wardrobe. I hope maybe mixing with some dark grey will be appropriate for the service...

 

[itsren]

Quote:

 

[VelvettFog]

Quote:
Ren,

The purpose of my broody cage is to break them of being broody I give them just about 2'x2' of space.

If you are wanting to build a cage to allow the bird to actually sit and hatch - -then this is what I think you need to keep in mind:

For the most part, the hen is going to sit on the clutch of eggs. She will need to have access to both food and water, and she'll need a place to poo. If we figure that the area that will hold the clutch is about 16" square, that leaves you with an area of about 16"x20" for a feeder, water fount and 'bathroom'. If you can put the water and feeder outside the cage walls then there is a bit more room for 'potty breaks'. So your 32x20 space sounds doo-able - but might be a little tight. I think it would be worth a try.

Once the eggs hatch, I would consider that space too small. So you'll want a bigger cage/box to move them to. So maybe you want to have her hatch out the clutch in that bigger box so you don't have to shift her and the chicks?

When I let a hen hatch eggs, I give her a 4'x4' space with a wooden apple box in it to act as the nest box. Once the chicks hatch, they can stay in that 4x4 area for a good three weeks. then I can move them to more permanent housing.

I'm sure that there are way more viable approaches than the one I just described

Dave

 

[itsren]

Our last hope for a girl... Here's Latte now, at 3.5 weeks:




Small comb. Thinner legs. A LOT smaller than the other three. A lot more docile than the other three. But, colorful. And, it looks like a black head is coming in.

Thoughts anyone?

Here's Blackie's eye. The picture doesn't do the color and depth justice. And, the brownish tone on the end of his feathers looks like shiny copper.

 

[FlyRobinFly]

Hey Renee, just wanted to say I did see the pumpkins you and oldest DS carved, they were both awesome!

 

[KMHunter]

I would break her of being broody.

I have the best luck when I put the hen in a suspended, wire-bottom cage.  She gets food and water, but no 'cell mate', and usually serves a sentence of 3 days.  Then she's allowed to return to the rest of the flock.  If necessary, I return her to 'solitary confinement' for another 3 days.  Some folks use a cage that hangs.  Mine is on 'legs' and is about 3' off the floor.  I believe this works because the hen does not feel 'safe' with the wire bottom cage. 

Good luck!

I wonder if this would straighten out my DW and a few women on this page  you know kind of bring them back down to earth and help them think more clearly and remember WHO really RULES THE ROOST ???  what do ya think CR   I have a coop that would hold about FOUR of them! Doesn't have heat or a mirror for them to put their makeup on, But women are tough right ladies

I have a sign that says "he may rule the roost, but SHE rules the rooster".

 

[itsren]

Quote:
Ren,

The purpose of my broody cage is to break them of being broody I give them just about 2'x2' of space.

If you are wanting to build a cage to allow the bird to actually sit and hatch - -then this is what I think you need to keep in mind:

For the most part, the hen is going to sit on the clutch of eggs. She will need to have access to both food and water, and she'll need a place to poo. If we figure that the area that will hold the clutch is about 16" square, that leaves you with an area of about 16"x20" for a feeder, water fount and 'bathroom'. If you can put the water and feeder outside the cage walls then there is a bit more room for 'potty breaks'. So your 32x20 space sounds doo-able - but might be a little tight. I think it would be worth a try.

Once the eggs hatch, I would consider that space too small. So you'll want a bigger cage/box to move them to. So maybe you want to have her hatch out the clutch in that bigger box so you don't have to shift her and the chicks?

When I let a hen hatch eggs, I give her a 4'x4' space with a wooden apple box in it to act as the nest box. Once the chicks hatch, they can stay in that 4x4 area for a good three weeks. then I can move them to more permanent housing.

I'm sure that there are way more viable approaches than the one I just described

Dave

If anyone goes broody, I want to break them of it. None of our eggs will ever be fertile - it would be useless to let them go broody. Plus, Drama tends to be a clutz, anyway - and if we ever put eggs under her, she'd probably smash them unintentionally.

Edited to add: Wasn't clear with my first post. We're going to try to hatch some BCMs in an incubator.