Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Ogress]

Thank you to everyone whith your input on chicken doors - I looked at all that everyone recommended and then some. I just ordered the Pullet-shut with the solar option as I do not have electricity at the coop (aside from extension cords to heat dog-bowls of water in the winter).

I chose the pullet-shut because it does not need much room, it has a sturdy aluminum frame, and it is side-hinged swing-door

I have a window over the pop-door so I could not go with the guillotine style; though my current pop-doors are manual guillotine style, but they don't need the extra room for the motor and pulley. and inside the coop, the poop board sits just above the door track. Sometimes shavings get piled up and packed in to the current tracks or the wooden tracks warp with moisture making the door difficult to pull down and when we had 3 months of dry weather, the door would not stay up!

Now I need to remove some of the chicken-wire that divides the coop in two so I will only need one door; the birds all hang out together anyways. Maybe I will just make a removable panel so I will have the option of keeping it divided.

Right now I leave the pop-doors open 24/7 so they always have access to the run where I keep their water. During the day, I also open the run doors so they can go out into the yard. I think I will leave that manual, but I may one day also put that on an automated timer. I'm afraid the rats will find the feeders inside the coop, so I want to start locking the coop again. Closing the coop will also help keep the warmth in. So far I don't think the rats have made it inside the coop. I only find rat-poop in the feeders that are in the rooster run on the Eglu with the attached run. My other Eglu is in a dog kennel, so it is easy enough for me to walk in and put the feeder inside a garbage can for the night. If I get rid of most of my 10 roosters, I'm hoping to move my 4 hensand little roo from the Eglu into the main coop at least for the winter. They have mingled with the other chickens enough that they all seem to get along. Right now my RIR has decided to move into the Eglu with the cochins, as it has only one rooster. She was really getting annoyed with the 6 in the main coop. The other Eglu has 3 of my 4 bantam cochin roosters.

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Jules, they do train you, at least here in Snohomish County. You have to pass safety checks, and then they offer various workshops like leadership and what not. No specific trainings on the poultry info stuff. First you need the kids to join the poultry program, and then they have to determine what they want to learn, and then you help them! And yes, you will learn together!!!!

 

[pettec63]

Quote:
Well, I can't say I'm the most organized person on the face of the earth, but, if it's kind of basic stuff, I'm good. What ages do they start at?? I am partial to the 8,9,10s they seem to be more curious and helpful, I have no clue, in any case, I would do my best to teach what I know and have fun!!

 

[pettec63]

Quote:

I love this stuff and have always told my kids to befriend and be friendly to anyone that is "disabled".
I don't like that word as a whole because most can do lots of things, just not some of the stuff the rest of us take for granted.
Like running, walking, using our hands, seeing, hearing, etc.
My oldest DS made friends with a boy in gradeschool who was disabled, can't remember exactly how, it was neurological, and he told me all about him and how nice he was and the things they did at reccess.
He wanted to invite him over for a play date, so I said fine.
My son never once mentioned that this boy was disabled. I was a little suprised when he came over, but I was so proud of my son!
He liked the boy and they had fun and all that mattered was what the boy could do, not what he couldn't.
My kids also don't usually describe their friends with reference to their race either.
My parents always did that and it bothered me.
Sometimes my kids amaze me. I try to remember those times when they are seriosly trying my patience. Lol!

I'm with you Kim, my parents were the same way. They were from Detroit. You can imagine the stuff that was said! Growing up here, we didn't have those same issues. When I went into the Navy, I was obviously exposed to many different ethnicity's and cultures. I didn't raise my kids the way my parents raised me, they have no preconceived ideas of race or disabilities. For that I'm glad. Besides, I did see a bit of the world and there is nothing that teaches us more about the cultures of others, then being in someone else's country! Thanks for sharing your story! BTW this is also the reason for my signature. I have been watching a few travel shows on PBS and one of the hosts always says that at the end of his show. A quote from Mark Twain. I thought it was a very appropriate quote, because it is very true.

You two are both wonderful parents.

Thanks Robin!!!

I'm gonna tell my kids you said that!!

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Hello everyone - it's been a while since I've been here, well, on the other thread really.

Had some tests, blood work, MRI's, heart tests and all that kinda stuff. Then last week, rotator cuff surgery. I'm pretty much off the pain meds now (one at bedtime only). Not bad for only a week ago, but then I can't stand being zoned out from them. I can even type with the "recovering" arm a bit.

I have missed chatting here. My last THREE sets of eggs in the 'bator - not one hatched! Gotta get it seen too I think. I lost some very valuable eggs.

Well, time to go rustle up some dinner. I think it's duck legs tonight.

Hope everyone is well - chat more tomorrow!

Nice to see ya back!!! I can relate to the rotator cuff thing. I think between my ACL replacement/meniscous removal, back fusion and rotator. The Rotator was the toughest recovery. Follow Dr. orders and work hard at PT.

 

[pettec63]

Quote:

........OK its just about unanimous!! lol

 

[pettec63]

Quote:
Yes, and as soon as you see the books, you will know how easy it will be to teach the subject(s) you choose. They are very thorough. I've learned from reading them. We have Poultry 1, Embryology 1 & 2, Electricity 1, Aerospace 1, Aerospace 2, Junk Drawer Robotics 1 and Sewing 1.

You can download Embryology 1 & 2 for free here:

Grades 2-5: http://www.4-h.org/Resource-Library/Curriculum/Resources-Archives/Emb-Help-Guide-Beginner.dwn

Grades 6-8: http://www.4-h.org/Resource-Library/Curriculum/Resources-Archives/Emb-Help-Guide-Advanced.dwn

Oh cool Thanks Ren!! you guys rock!

 

[pettec63]

Oh, pettec63, we also did part of the 4-H National Science Project with my Cub Scout Den. The boys LOVED it! We didn't get to do the whole project because of time constraints, but they got to build the robots, attempt to sweep up rice, and then we had robot races down the hall. I had very happy little Bear Cubs that evening.

http://www.4-h.org/4-h-national-youth-science-day/

Wow!! awesome!!! that sounded like fun!!! kept em busy I bet!!

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:

........OK its just about unanimous!! lol
YOU CAN DO IT ! ! ! !

 

[pettec63]

The Middle School my kids go to is trying to address the growing issue of bullying.

They separated the boys and girls on Monday and had each group watch "Finding Kind" about girls bullying and then had a discussion, and all week they are having the girls pass each other notes to apologize for bullying that they have participated in. That last part, with the notes, not such a good idea.

Olivia's first note came from the ring-leader of a small group of girls who have been bullying her on the school bus and in P.E. This note was no surprise to her, and she did appreciate getting this note. The girl was a troublemaker in elementary school, and is known even more as one now, but she never bothered Olivia until the other week when she discovered that Alex is her brother. Everyone in the school knows who Alex is, and it does not help that he is 6'4" and autistic. During PE, this troublemaker and her friends shoved Olivia into each other and then yelled at her for contaminating them with cooties from Alex. Other than that, Middle School had been a positive experience. Both her self-esteem and her grades have improved, and she has made new friends among the kids who came in from other elementary schools.

Today Olivia came home all depressed. She does not like this note-passing because it is painful to realize that you have been the target of teasing from people you would never have expect it from. Today she got a note from a girl whom she had always considered trustworthy, kind, and upstanding student. The girl passed Olivia a note apologizing for calling Olivia fat and making jokes about her at luch behind her back.

Why the apology notes when the teased person was not aware of the teasing? In cases where the bullied person was not awaye of the bullying, i think it would be best just to have those girls and her involved friends discuss among themselves or with a school counselor what they have done and why it is hurtful.

OMG!!! I agree with you!! Have the bully-ie's talk with the school counselor and find out "why" they feel the need to bully?? And what they can do in the future if they feel the need to do it again, or they see someone else doing it to some one.
Besides, weren't we taught NOT to pass notes in school!! Jeez! Poor Liv!