Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Oh, lordy: all this talk of being a kind and responsible animal keeper, and darn it all I want to do right now is take off my work shoes and my grubby clothes and crawl in bed, but I need to give the sheep his evening oatmeal-and-apple (he's been stuck inside by the rain: he hates to get wet) (he is a pet, thank you, although not one allowed in the house) (the end of the day goodies mean I can let him off his tether and he bounces on home), go check the two cows who have looked like they were going to calve in twelve hours since March 26th, and bring Deary in out of her daytime abode, which I've yet to have time to rat-proof.

I need me an apprentice.

Seriously check with Tacoma Farms, she is looking for farm apprenticeship

 

[FirewifeJess]

Well. I'm down 2 birds thanks to Flirty31 and her nice DH. They came by to pick up some hens to replace hers who died, and it was nice meeting them! Was a short visit this time, DH and the kids were all tired and zoned out to a movie...long week. But nice to chat chickens a little bit, and know those 2 will take really good care of my girls. I almost cried letting Thelma go, but I think she will be happy. Now I have 9 hens and 8 babies.

Anyone want a 2 week old Cuckoo Marans let me know. I only have one bird left to get rid of before I can relax and know that everyone I have left will fit in the coop comfortably when full grown. Anyone? Maybe I'll text my friend, she probably wants her. LOL

 

[CarolynF]

Quote:
Hi, I see your avatar is a dog. I assume he's a pet. Don't you understand the harm you're doing by treating animals as pets?
I have chickens and would never consider treating them the way most people treat their dogs, hauling them all over creation, giving them baths, trimming their fur. My heavens!

All that was said somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

I'm not a dog person, but that doesn't mean I don't understand that many people love them as pets. Even though my grandmother always said no respectable woman would ever let one of those flea bitten things in the house!

I have a few chickens and take very good care of them. I treat them as pets only to the extent that they have names, they get petted if they seem to enjoy it, and I enjoy their company when I'm outside with them. And I would feel bad for them if they were in pain. Just like I would feel bad for a dog or cat if they were in pain.

So if you have a pet dog/cat/horse/chicken/whatever it's all about the same, right?

 

[fikeyismybaby]

kinda.I only bathe for show.

 

[walady944]

Love It! So unique I'm sure the news media would pick it up and do a story on you and you'd have orders coming out your ears, then you'd have to get CR in on the manufacture and accessories!!! Obviously a perfect idea!

If you set the feed up on a concrete block, so it's maybe 8" off the ground the chickens can still eat but less dirt gets kicked in. Are your chickens full grown or still half-pints? I have both and I've had to come up with a couple different configurations to accommodate their changing size and various pens.




Speaking of Juvenile Molt, I've forgotten what ages they molt throughout their first year. Can someone please tell me again? Thanks!




Congrats on finishing your coop! You'll be posting pics, right?!?!
You've gotten some good suggestions on handling the bully. I'll just add a small idea -- we use a spray bottle or squirt gun and squirt the offender whenever they are getting too aggressive. Kids love helping, too. Of course you can't be there all the time so it's just an extra "layer" of behavioral training.



VF.... I'm absolutely certain that whathisface said there are going to be scads of New Hampshire pullets available from several outstanding breeders! And I'm pretty sure I heard there's going to be a free with a 50# bag of ultra premium feed included!!!

Just kidding folks.... I'm just trying to make sure Dave wants to make that long drive to Vancouver! But sssshhhhhhh, don't let the cat out of the bag, ok? ;-)

Squirt gun, wow, great idea! I used to do that with my Persians. I'll try it. Will get pics of the coop sometime to share. so excited these girls are finally going to their " Palais du Poulet"

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Oh, goody: Griz has figured out how to open the gate which swings IN: I had a refreshing little run around in the rain in the dark because I had closed but not locked that gate when I went to take care of the BLRWs. He beat me back to the house, of course.

16, and still learning new tricks: lovely.

 

[VelvettFog]

kinda.I only bathe for show.

That's about how often I shower too.

 

[BGMatt]

Hi,  I see your avatar is a dog.  I assume he's a pet.  Don't you understand the harm you're doing by treating animals as pets? 
I have chickens and would never consider treating them the way most people treat their dogs, hauling them all over creation, giving them baths, trimming their fur.  My heavens!

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

All that was said somewhat tongue-in-cheek. 


I'm not a dog person, but that doesn't mean I don't understand that many people love them as pets.  Even though my grandmother always said no respectable woman would ever let one of those flea bitten things in the house!


I have a few chickens and take very good care of them.  I treat them as pets only to the extent that they have names, they get petted if they seem to enjoy it, and I enjoy their company when I'm outside with them.  And I would feel bad for them if they were in pain.  Just like I would feel bad for a dog or cat if they were in pain. 


So if you have a pet dog/cat/horse/chicken/whatever it's all about the same, right?

 

I know it was said tongue in cheek but there's an obvious difference here. Chickens are a food source, livestock. Dogs are companions and most of them have other jobs as well. Jury is still out on cats however, I think they exist to rule over us humans, or at least that's what mine told me.

Just to prove I'm not as heartless as I've been coming across:

Don't get me wrong. I'm not heartless and I love my chickens, ducks, geese, other feathered friends, it's just there's a rather clear distinction between a pet and livestock and I do not understand why people have a pet relationship with food. Not saying its right or wrong, just that I don't understand it.

 

[VelvettFog]

Hey Matt

Isnt a "pet" somewhat a matter of choice? I mean, in some cultures dog is considered a delicy. I've eaten it, and it's pretty tasty. That said, I will not be eating my dog any time soon.

My chickens are more like yours, livestock. They have a job (eggs or meat, or both). I don't consider them pets. But just because I don't think of chickens as pets, doesnt me that I cannot understand why others do keep them as pets. I know folks who would never eat their own chickens.

I think it's cool how we are all the same - and yet different at all at once

Peace,

Dave

 

[bikerchicky]

That's about how often I shower too.