Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Flaming Chicken]

TA-DA !!

It looks just like the pattern! Quilting is next. Just sayin.

 

[BGMatt]

the polish is hilarius looking. I am so tempted, but we're doing the chickens for eggs- and polish would have to be separate, etc, etc.... but dang, they are sooo cute!

Just to play devil's advocate here, Polish are good layers, and the whole having to be separate thing is mostly just an old wive's tale (Occasionally polish chicks will get pecked on a bit more than others due to crest, but hey they even do that amongst themselves sometimes so...)

 

[VelvettFog]

Quote:
Chicken saddles are next

 

[RonB]

Chicken saddles are next

When your done with the saddles, I'll buy one from ya. my roo is really tearing up only one of my hens

 

[daze333]

Do you guys ever get together to get birds transported around? I have a friend looking to get a goose from Monroe to either Graham or Vancouver. Anyone going this way?

 

[ChristineR]

Hi Neighbors. I am considering getting a dog. Anyone with any suggestions as to breeds that do well with chickens (I have just 4 girls), ones that do well outdoors in our area? (I am in Tacoma/Federal Way area near Dash Point State Park). I am hoping the dog will help protect the chickens, but I have read a lot of stories about dogs killing hens and I want to make sure I do things right. I would appreciate any advice at this point (I am just beginning my research). Thanks so much in advance for any insights.

In MY opinion there are many breeds that can do ok with chickens or other "farm" animals. The MOST important thing is that they get educated young. There are a few breeds that I really don't think would be good based primarily on what the dogs are bred for. Myself I have always had Aussies with no problems. There are probably peeps who will tell of other breeds that they think are great. I feel the most important is GET A SMART BREED. And then train the dog. I am a firm believer of and tell people "If you talk to them like a person and treat them like a person they will respond accordingly. If ya talk to them and treat them like a dumb dog that is all you will ever have is a dumb dog"!!

Hello and welcome! I agree that the most important thing is training them while they're young. I do think there are some breeds that are more prone to killing poultry, though. Just from my observations, chow chows, huskies, and german shepherds seem to like to kill chickens. I'm sure there are more, those are just the breeds that I've seen people have problems with.

My most trustworthy dogs around my birds have been my Lab and Golden Retriever. It seems counterintuitive, since they are hunting breeds, but both breeds are highly trainable and smart (at least in my Lab's case, the Golden, not so much, but she makes up for her lack of smarts with her eagerness to please).

No matter what breed you choose, I would make sure you buy from a very good breeder who pays attention to temperament in their breeding program.

There's always the option of adopting an adult dog that has proven to be trustworthy around poultry, too.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote: Or get Spitzhauben or Brabanters (I could sell you eggs). You get the crest, but it's not in their eyes. Plus you get polka dots.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote: Or get Spitzhauben or Brabanters (I could sell you eggs). You get the crest, but it's not in their eyes. Plus you get polka dots. I could incubate and sell you chicks, too.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote: I have a saddle I'm not using. I'll bring it to the north end meet up if you remind me to.

 

[TerrorBird]

Hello everyone! I have a seven week old Light Sussex that is a boy and needs to find a new home. Anyone interested in a rooster for your flock, you can have him for free. (If he's going to freezer camp, it'll be our freezer.) This picture was from a couple days ago...they are off heat now and running around with the big flock. Let me know if you'd like him, his name is Henry (used to be Henrietta!)

You could try the FB group too. It worked for Travis!