Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[pennyJo1960]

I sure hope you have no more flooding right there

 

[Bonkerelli]

I wish I took a picture of what I saw on my way home! Now I live in the sticks, in the mountains. I turn off the main rd which is about 3 miles from my house. Not long after I got on the rd there was a GIANT black and white pig strolling down the rd! It obviously looked like it was on a mission. Do not know any of the neighbors that far down so who knows who the pig belongs too. Hopefully they called the owner and asked "your bacon is loose".

 

[fanatic291]

That is super funny about the pig. I bet it was happy to be out exploring.

I have a question for the group. I have 3 tubs as nesting boxes that are currently blocked with lids. My hens have never laid, so I am going to keep the boxes closed until it is warm, so they don't try to sleep in the boxes. How do I know when it is time to open the boxes? I assume my hens will be old enough to lay in the beginning of spring. We picked the chicks up on 9/27/21.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have 3 tubs as nesting boxes that are currently blocked with lids. My hens have never laid, so I am going to keep the boxes closed until it is warm, so they don't try to sleep in the boxes. How do I know when it is time to open the boxes? I assume my hens will be old enough to lay in the beginning of spring. We picked the chicks up on 9/27/21.

I personally don't block nest boxes unless I need to. I want younger pullets to be able to explore them, so that when it's time for them to lay, they've already seen the boxes. I have never had chicks/young pullets sleep in the nests.

If you really think they'll sleep inside the boxes, you can uncover them once you have a pullet that looks closer to laying - enlarged, reddened comb and wattles, starts squatting in front of you, maybe some pacing behavior as she starts to explore for potential nesting sites.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Pigs are funny.
I can imagine your area. I was driving through that area with my husband, one time and I swear there was a guy who was going to dump breeding dogs in the middle of winter. We wanted to stop and save the dogs, but we were on our way to the airport to catch a plane. The guy was very hostle.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I just moved some older chicks to the big coop. I sectioned off an area, chained some lights for them (Don't worry the big girls cannot get to the lights.) I have chicks together that are 2 months old pullets, 6 weeks old pullets and 2 little roosters that are 4 weeks old. They are all getting along because it is an area they are all new to. All are cuddling. I also have a view window where they can see the big hens too.

 

[Bonkerelli]

That is super funny about the pig. I bet it was happy to be out exploring.

I have a question for the group. I have 3 tubs as nesting boxes that are currently blocked with lids. My hens have never laid, so I am going to keep the boxes closed until it is warm, so they don't try to sleep in the boxes. How do I know when it is time to open the boxes? I assume my hens will be old enough to lay in the beginning of spring. We picked the chicks up on 9/27/21.

You dont see that everyday!

Your pullets are less than 4 months old.. they'll start laying around 6 months. Their combs and waddles will redden, usually are more "calmer", they'll start to squat when you try to grab them. It's your personal choice if you don't want them in there but it's nice for them to explore. You'll really know to open the boxes when you find an egg on the floor.

 

[Bonkerelli]

Pigs are funny.
I can imagine your area. I was driving through that area with my husband, one time and I swear there was a guy who was going to dump breeding dogs in the middle of winter. We wanted to stop and save the dogs, but we were on our way to the airport to catch a plane. The guy was very hostle.

That's how we got one of our dogs. We are the last house on this rd was up in the sticks. A dog just so happened to show up last year November. Unfortunately, I do not have that dog anymore. He passed away few days before Christmas.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I grew up my 8 years with Grandma she was on farmlands in Wisconsin we had these two dogs that always followed me well one in front the other in the back .. They where snake dogs they would find one throw it away from me.

 

[Bonkerelli]

Last night my husband decides to go up and over to our house. To no surprise he got stuck in the snow... again. This time he's partially off the cliff.