Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[ValerieJ]

Do any of the stores have chicks yet, like TractorSupplyCo or Wilco? I might go ahead and get another 6 or so this spring, probably white leghorns if I can find them.

Why leghorns?

 

[Hinotori]

Do any of the stores have chicks yet, like TractorSupplyCo or Wilco? I might go ahead and get another 6 or so this spring, probably white leghorns if I can find them.

Wilco is supposed to

 

[Smokerbill]

Why leghorns?

White eggshells would be nice for a change. And they are smaller chickens needing somewhat less feed but they lay lots of X-large eggs. And they handle confinement well if the need arises in case bird flu hits the area.

 

[Smokerbill]

Wilco is supposed to

Thanks! I just called the Kelso store and they just got the first ones in today, but no leghorns. But they might get some leghorns in next week's shipment.

 

[ValerieJ]

White eggshells would be nice for a change. And they are smaller chickens needing somewhat less feed but they lay lots of X-large eggs. And they handle confinement well if the need arises in case bird flu hits the area.

Ok, that sounds good. My experience has been they are not as healthy as some other breeds. But, could have been my bad luck with them. They are the breed that had ascites here. In 9 years I've not dealt with that in my other breeds. 2 out of 4 died in the first year of whatever caused the ascites and I have one now that may have it. They have never had clean tail feathers, another thing I never deal with on my other breeds.

Oh, and I think they eat just as much as my other hens.

But, you are right. Large white eggs and good layers. They are skittish. Not sure I would want them out free ranging at all if not in a fenced area. Not easy to herd.

I'm so used to the orpington breeds and they are just so easy, so I may be biased.

 

[Smokerbill]

Ok, that sounds good. My experience has been they are not as healthy as some other breeds. But, could have been my bad luck with them. They are the breed that had ascites here. In 9 years I've not dealt with that in my other breeds. 2 out of 4 died in the first year of whatever caused the ascites and I have one now that may have it. They have never had clean tail feathers, another thing I never deal with on my other breeds.

Oh, and I think they eat just as much as my other hens.

But, you are right. Large white eggs and good layers. They are skittish. Not sure I would want them out free ranging at all if not in a fenced area. Not easy to herd.

I'm so used to the orpington breeds and they are just so easy, so I may be biased.

I didn't know you had them before, so thanks for the info. Out of the 8 barred rock chicks I started with nearly two years ago, I lost 3 of them to ascites. But they are great layers.

They slowed down during the short winter days, laying 1 or 2 a day, but lately I've been getting 3 or 4 eggs most days, and today I got 5 from the 5 hens.

That's plenty of eggs for me, so I'm going to pass on getting chicks this spring. Maybe in 2026 I'll get a few Barred Rock chicks.


I did call Wilco again, and they have lots of Barred Rocks available. $3.99 each!

 

[ValerieJ]

I didn't know you had them before, so thanks for the info. Out of the 8 barred rock chicks I started with nearly two years ago, I lost 3 of them to ascites. But they are great layers.

They slowed down during the short winter days, laying 1 or 2 a day, but lately I've been getting 3 or 4 eggs most days, and today I got 5 from the 5 hens.

That's plenty of eggs for me, so I'm going to pass on getting chicks this spring. Maybe in 2026 I'll get a few Barred Rock chicks.


I did call Wilco again, and they have lots of Barred Rocks available. $3.99 each!

I think your chickens are two years old, right? They may slow down on the laying later this year, and you may have a fairly barren winter with them. At least that is my experience with my breeds; Barred Rocks may have more egg laying years. I do have a couple Buff Orpingtons who still lay eggs at 4 years old, but not daily, not even often. As near as I can tell BOs lay eggs nearly all their lives, at least occasionally. In the first 2 years I always get about an egg a day from each one of them, and then maybe every other day or so for the third year. Good layers, docile peaceful breed, my favorites.

Anyway, you might consider adding a couple chicks just to keep you in eggs down the road.

 

[Smokerbill]

I think your chickens are two years old, right? They may slow down on the laying later this year, and you may have a fairly barren winter with them. At least that is my experience with my breeds; Barred Rocks may have more egg laying years. I do have a couple Buff Orpingtons who still lay eggs at 4 years old, but not daily, not even often. As near as I can tell BOs lay eggs nearly all their lives, at least occasionally. In the first 2 years I always get about an egg a day from each one of them, and then maybe every other day or so for the third year. Good layers, docile peaceful breed, my favorites.

Anyway, you might consider adding a couple chicks just to keep you in eggs down the road.

They'll be 2 years old in 6 or 7 weeks. Maybe I'll get a few in March or April when it's warm enough to brood them in a rabbit cage out in the chicken run.

I bought cabbage and beet seeds today, and I think that's the last of what I'll need. Well, I might need some more carrot seeds...

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey all absent a few days having lot's to help Richard.
Super great news Kidney stone has passed!
Okay I will buy a few pullets this spring.

 

[Smokerbill]

Hey all absent a few days having lot's to help Richard.
Super great news Kidney stone has passed!
Okay I will buy a few pullets this spring.

Good to hear! Kind of hard not to be thinking about getting new chicks this time of year.

My five hens are getting back into the swing of things. They gave me 5 eggs yesterday and 5 eggs again today. Good chickens!