Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[CarolynF]

Aaargh!

Went to the doctor and have to keep the neck brace on at least 3 more weeks. I keep looking at all the projects everyone out there is doing, and I'm staring skyward. Can't even drive with the darned thing on so have to wait for weekends for hubby to drive me around.

Stumpfarmer - never understood how you got stir crazy - it's not being able to get around. I'm going nuts here.

So, I'm trying to do some sewing. Right now I'm just finishing the pattern making stage ready for the fabric (custom design and measurements). I just took out the fabric to start cutting. It's hard though. I have lots of fabrics to choose from.
(don't tell doc, I take the brace off for this bit!)

Can't do much in the yard though. It's going to get worse before it gets better. Pruning will just have to wait.

And, himself and I decided to get rid of ALL the birds (ducks and chickens) this year, and start over. We shall be reseeding the pasture and designing a new coop with storage. We will fence round the pond so the goats don't eat the ornamental trees, but they will have access to the whole pasture (since they don't bother the grass much.
(edited to correct typos)

This is how the pond area "should" look!

Kate, I'm sorry to hear you have to wear the brace loner than expected! Such a hassle!

When you get the new fences, coop and all finished it's going to look just gorgeous! It will be totally worth the effort, I'm sure. Your place has such good "bones". But what are you going to do with all your birds? Are you selling them or butchering? That in itself is going to be a job. Whew.

 

[RustyHen]

I've not been at it long, but I'll weigh in anyway. Take it or leave it When I started out last year, I knew I would want a lot of different breeds; I wanted a variety of breeds to pretty up my yard, and I also wanted a lot of pretty colored eggs. During the course of the year my tastes have changed a little. I love all our girls and we do have a variety, but in the last several months I've begun to rethink things; we NEED eggs. My family eats about 4 dozen a week! Because of that, I began looking into chickens that are more feed efficient, and better foragers. I started out with some heftier girls and decided that any future chickens are going to be better layers, not just pretty birds. I started out with:
1 RIR (efficient!)
2 Buff Orps (they're hefty, and while good layers, they eat a lot)
1 Australorp (same as Buffs)
6 EEs! (All different kinds and colors of EEs, very pretty birds and good layers their first fall/winter, but now they're declining while my brown egg layers are still going strong)
1 Welsummer (beautiful dark copper eggs but not as many as I'd like)
1 Marans (beautiful dark chocolate eggs but not as many as I'd like)

Now, my babies are:
1 Barred Rock (friendly, small, efficient egg layers)
2 California Whites (LOTS of large white eggs, smaller birds)
1 RIR (egg laying machine)
1 Red Sex Link (egg laying machine)
1 Cuckoo Marans (dark eggs)
2 Speckled Sussex (friendly and prolific winter layers)

So I was able to add in some breeds I've been eyeing, but I tried to add birds I knew would be the best layers. Totally don't care about what they look like now.

FWJ I have had 4 Speckled Sussex for 2 winters now and they have not layed for me during the winter, at all even with light. My winters may be colder than yours and you may have a different blood line than mine though. They are beautiful and very loving, when I want to take a picture of them I have to put out scratch or they will be standing on my feet!

 

[RustyHen]

So -- here's my version of the willow arbor:

Standing on my patio looking up at the shop, and beyond that the Henitenitary.



About half way between house and "The Yard". The raised garden boxes are new this year. Made from recycled pallets and other lumber.



This shot is taken from the same point of view in my garden, as the point of view in the example I posted. I'm standing "in" the garden, facing the shop/house.



Second View - more house, less shop. From this view you can see the small deck off the master suite. I've posted photos that were taken from that balcony.



The Arbor - one day's "shiny object" (don't ask)



My version of the egg color wheel



And finally -- two days worth




OH -- click the pictures for a close up

VF what a great place you have! and a great site for your arbor when you get the benches in there you will have a place to set tools or baskets and sit down for a cool one in the summer. You have to plant a grape or clematis vine on it for more shade, fruit or beauty. Your eggs are so colourful. I need an olive egger.

 

[CarolynF]

Well it's time for the next installment of my wheaten ameraucanas pictorial growth log. Of the 3 chicks I got from CGG it is speculated by the folks on the Ameraucana thread that 1 is a pullet, 1 is definitely a cockerel, and the third (Honey) is probably a cockerel. But Pips&Peeps suggested waiting a bit longer before deciding about her/him.
So that's who I'm starting with... Heeeeeerrrre's Honey...

(click to enlarge) If this is a cockerel, why the majorly Fluffy Bunns????




Dot is the pullet, and she is such a sweety pie! I think she looks down right elegant.




And this is Dash who is scheduled to go to SarahKatie next month. He's all boy and very smart.
Although he looks almost identical to Honey, he's darker and doesn't have fluffy bunns.
(click to enlarge)

 

[Chickielady]

Good afternoon, just getting started. Grew up with chickens and other assorted animals. Now its my turn for chickens, 4 Americaunas, 2 C. Cross, adding 6 Buff O's April 3
Ive Celiacs disease, so Its G. Free all the way for my gals. Any Celiacs out there? If so what are u doing with your chickens?

ME

 

[RustyHen]

I was getting ready to order an incubator on line when I saw this. For when the power goes off.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-cli...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item35c108c675

I'm back, sad I lost two of my cream legbar chicks due to my now x handyman who has lived with us for the last 3 yrs. I am heartbroken. My 12 silkies are OK.

It is going to take me a bit to get caught up and to sort things here at home. I'm getting an incubator so I can try again with some eggs from Miss Molly.

Keep well friends, have to deal with real life.
Kathy

Oh nooooo....

 

[LaughingFeather]

Well it's time for the next installment of my wheaten ameraucanas pictorial growth log. Of the 3 chicks I got from CGG it is speculated by the folks on the Ameraucana thread that 1 is a pullet, 1 is definitely a cockerel, and the third (Honey) is probably a cockerel. But Pips&Peeps suggested waiting a bit longer before deciding about her/him.
So that's who I'm starting with... Heeeeeerrrre's Honey...

(click to enlarge) If this is a cockerel, why the majorly Fluffy Bunns????




Dot is the pullet, and she is such a sweety pie! I think she looks down right elegant.




And this is Dash who is scheduled to go to SarahKatie next month. He's all boy and very smart.
Although he looks almost identical to Honey, he's darker and doesn't have fluffy bunns.
(click to enlarge)

OK, major cuteness alert. They have so much color!

 

[SadieSue]

Well it's time for the next installment of my wheaten ameraucanas pictorial growth log. Of the 3 chicks I got from CGG it is speculated by the folks on the Ameraucana thread that 1 is a pullet, 1 is definitely a cockerel, and the third (Honey) is probably a cockerel. But Pips&Peeps suggested waiting a bit longer before deciding about her/him.
So that's who I'm starting with... Heeeeeerrrre's Honey...

(click to enlarge) If this is a cockerel, why the majorly Fluffy Bunns????




Dot is the pullet, and she is such a sweety pie! I think she looks down right elegant.




And this is Dash who is scheduled to go to SarahKatie next month. He's all boy and very smart.
Although he looks almost identical to Honey, he's darker and doesn't have fluffy bunns.
(click to enlarge)

I can only hope that my new Wheaten Ameraucana babies grow up to be as pretty as yours! Chances are good I suppose since they're from the same breeder, huh? That Dot is such a pretty little girl, I just want to snuggle her. And Honey is a bit of a mystery, right?

 

[bikerchicky]

Good afternoon, just getting started. Grew up with chickens and other assorted animals. Now its my turn for chickens, 4 Americaunas, 2 C. Cross, adding 6 Buff O's April 3
Ive Celiacs disease, so Its G. Free all the way for my gals. Any Celiacs out there? If so what are u doing with your chickens?

There are quite a few of us going GF for various reasons. Some are also CF and DF. If you go back to around page 1470 I think, you will see some info about GF posted by others in the group.

 

[LaughingFeather]

Found out I am going to be a grandma again in Nov. by my son. It will be a busy month in the baby department that month. My grandson is also adding a new addition onto his family. I have my fingers crossed for a girl someplace along the line. A Grandma and Great-Grandma again in the same month. Man, My work is done. Now go forth and multiply.