Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[beccaWA]

Quote: That's funny! Your flock sounds like mine. I don't handle my birds either, but have trained them to come when called. (Then they get whatever treat I'm holding)

CHICK CHICK CHICK! COME ON! They'll run from the back of my acre all the way to the front. Racing biddies!

It is useful to be able to have chickens come to you, though. Mine have gotten in the road before and I can easily round them up.

 

[Duck Drover]

Question about adding new chickens:

We are thinking about adding some chickens, either adult hens or older pullets. Currently we have 2 RIRs, 15 months old. We have them for eggs, and as pets. One has recently gone broody for the first time. I force her outside as much as possible, haven't resorted to a hanging cage yet...

Anywho... I assume I should wait until she isn't broody anymore for a more successful integration?

I briefly thought about getting fertile eggs for her to hatch, but we aren't allowed to have roos in my neighborhood, and I don't want to risk figuring out what to do with one. I know it would break my heart.

Other info: they are both farm-store chicks. I don't know if they were vaccinated, I assume not. So I was planning on adding other non-vaccinated birds. Also, are there breeds that are easier to integrate? They grew up with a barred rock and gold-laced Wyandotte that we lost to predators at around 5 month old. They all got along really well, and the to RIRs weren't particularly "alpha" at that age, so I hope they'll do well with new additions too.

Thanks in advance. I really appreciate the advice of the experienced members of this group!

Because your two already rule the roost and will be the most likely aggressors, you may be better off adding a gentle breed that is older or larger than them. It is not the newcomers that will be aggressive in the beginning but once they settle in they could challenge the pecking order if you get a more aggressive breed. We raise Orpingtons and they get along great because they are so docile. They are larger than the average chicken so they don't tend to get picked on and they don't pick on other chickens either. They have become a favorite breed of mine.

I am sure you already know to add two chickens together so no one will be ganged up on during the introduction phase. It reduces their stress when they have a familiar companion as they get to know new birds. We have added groups of younger birds we hatched and raised without any signs of aggression on the part of the older established birds. I have not had RIR chickens but my parents have and they were more aggressive than my Orpingtons.

Chances are adding new birds will distract your hen from becoming broody but if she still wants to sit on a nest you can always give her fertile eggs later once she has shown dedication to the job. New hens can sit and then get off the nest if they change their mind. When they are committed you will have a resistent hen if you try to move her off. If she is not putting up a fuss and running right back to the nest she may not be broody yet, just considering it.

 

[Scram85]

Gotta love 104 degrees. All I have been doing for the last couple of days is create breezes, change ice containers for the chickens, and spray pigs and cows. Oh and melt anytime I have to get into the car. Today I had to go to work so I had to trust my daughter to follow my 'detailed' instructions on how to keep the animals cool.

 

[torrelee]

I tried my tablet in desktop mode and the app, plus my phone and can't upload

I put the baby chicks outside for the first time today. All the others came over to look at them. I'm hoping to get them outside permanently by the end of the week.

I can't seem to download a picture. I just got the new app, has anybody else had this problem? I am using my iPhone.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I put the baby chicks outside for the first time today. All the others came over to look at them. I'm hoping to get them outside permanently by the end of the week.

I can't seem to download a picture. I just got the new app, has anybody else had this problem? I am using my iPhone.

what kind of app or phone? mine works but is a plain phone smart phone

 

[Gatewayto]

Worked until 1am

Finished season 5 of Game of Thrones

Wake up at 5:30 to take care of 1 year old daughter

Wake up at 6:30 to take care of chickens and quails

Made breakfast for the kids

Kiss wife and kids before heading out fishing before work at 2pm

wwooohoo got 4 shads at the Columbia River at Bonneville Dam.

Dropping dead at my desk until 1am tonight.. but it was all worth it for the 4 shads which I gave away hehehe. was fun

 

[pennyJo1960]

Worked until 1am

Finished season 5 of Game of Thrones

Wake up at 5:30 to take care of 1 year old daughter

Wake up at 6:30 to take care of chickens and quails

Made breakfast for the kids

Kiss wife and kids before heading out fishing before work at 2pm

wwooohoo got 4 shads at the Columbia River at Bonneville Dam.

Dropping dead at my desk until 1am tonight.. but it was all worth it for the 4 shads which I gave away hehehe. was fun

lead a similar life for many years... then the left knee went, then the stroke
all over that fast at 49

 

[LeannS]

Can the sudden the heat wave affect egg laying? I've only gotten three eggs today.

So far so good, I have 6 ducks, getting 5 to 6 eggs daily. I change their water several times a day and also put clean water in their small pools to help cool them. Also turn the irrigation on in their two covered pastures. They have plenty of shade that they can move to. I put a small tarp to help shade the pool area. This heat is a killer if we do not do what we can for them. The ducks are let out from 6 A.M to 8;30 PM. By that time their night time shelter is cooler. The pool area is a 15 ft. by 10 ft. with rubber mats so I can hose it off twice a day when I change the water in their tubs.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I only have the 5 barred hens laying yet the one I call Lazy Susan lays
just every few days the others do every day still. I have three fans going in the coop
still gets too warm but will change the location of the coop before too long as the sun
is beating down on it late afternoon too long. using frozen treats and ice blocks
just now allot

 

[ForrestGump]

Is anyone looking for chicks? I have about 20 that need a home. $5 to $8 each.