Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[3arthm0ther]

[COLOR=0000CD]I have small kiddos who are very involved with our chickens.... They are 9, 6 and 3.... They each have their own jobs on tending to the girls... We have a mixed flock of girls... Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpington's, EE's and Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. In their opinion they like our Orpington's the best. They are big and fluffy and are not as flighty as the EE's. Our BO will actually squat an allow you to pick them up... My 3 year old is often running around the yard picking up and caring a chicken. My daughter (the 9 year old) also likes the EE's because of the different color of eggs... they can lay pink, blue, bluish-green, or green eggs and you never know what they are gonna lay until that first egg so thats also fun.... I would suggest getting more then one breed n seeing what you like... Hold them as chicks and get them use to being handled and make sure your baby knows how to act around the chickens as well... As that can change the behavior of the chickens... crazy baby running around = chickens running and squawking for its life = not so good experience for anyone....[/COLOR]

[COLOR=0000CD]With that being said I dunno if you are ready to get chicks but I hatched chicks this past weekend that are looking for homes.... I also have 2 week old hatchery pullets. We have Brabanters, Black Sex Links, RIR's, Golden Sex links and White Leghorns. [/COLOR]

When I start trying to absorb all the amauracauna, americauna... ok, just that far by itself just makes my head implode. I just want good ol' fashioned buttless auracaunas thank you But to the excellent question of little kids and chickens!!! Having had the delight of having a kid and dealing with 4H for a few years.. back when I still had my first flight feathers Really loved the following chickens when working with the young ones.. Buff Orps, silkies, Cochin Bantams. The Blue standard Cochins are really laid back as well. And for the kid who wants the biggest friendly rooster on the block so s/he feels like they're running with the pack I'd say Dorkings! :cd just my personal opinion. But, that's what I got ^^ I'd also throw in Favorelles, but be picky on where you get them from if you intend to show them at all. I've had a couple of VERY scruffy ones. Most wonderful lil guys in the world.. but they were oh soo not pretty, lol.

Cannot recall who was asking initially - but I have both Easter Eggers and Ameracaunas. They do like to fly and roost in my trees, but they are also very friendly! You might want to visit some folks with different birds. Not sure where you're at, but I have a lot of breeds in my little backyard flock I could show you =)

Thanks for your input!!! I'm mobile but will ask my questions and such laaaattter tonight

 

[robj]

I've had two surgeries through Oly Ortho - they are the best!

However, on my Dr. visit today, he said I have to keep the neck brace on for another MONTH! Yikes. It's healing well though, and very little scarring.

Hang in there! You're healing well that's what matters. He probably wants to keep you in the brace because he knows that's the only way to slow you down. My father in law had his back done turned out good and didn't follow orders and is now almost in the same spot he was. It would drive me nuts too but just remember it's all for the best!!

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Well... almost all done, and got to the Farmer's Market to buy seeds and plants, and the co-op for random small stuff, and more seeds. I need to go to Home Depot tomorrow so I can get potting soil; I'm planting sweet peas in big pots to make a screen planting up away from the slugs.

Plants: two kinds of mints, because the chickens love mint, and a four pack of my favorite violas, Tiger Eyes.

Still have to get hay for the sheep, but I'm warming up a little first, since my last work was walking out to check cows, real Western Washington precipitation out there, the stuff I classify as "floating cold wet."

 

[BGMatt]

Seeing Velvettfog's list of layer's made me think of a good point, why are true leghorns so hard to find? It seems like there's very very few purebred Leghorns out there, a lot of commercial hatchery stuff but...I don't get it, it's one of the iconic breeds in history. Of course I guess you could say that about Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks and they're super rare to find real ones too...

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote:
Thanks Rob. Yeah, I don't want that to happen. After all these months of recovery, I'm not about to screw it up for a bit of discomfort. I can take it off to eat and drink. But, I don't go in the car without it. Suppose someone rear-ended us . . .?

So, what's you FIL going to do now? Can he get some physical therapy or something? (I exhausted P.T. and nerve blocks; surgery was my last option - another reason not to screw it up).

 

[3arthm0ther]

EarthMother -- I missed a key comment in your post.  Pure ameracuans will not be "high egg producers".    Some breeds that I consider to be high egg layers are:

Leghorn (white egs)
Rhode Island Reds (brown)
New Hampshire (brown)
Any Plymouth Rock (brown)
Orpingtons (brown)
Austrolorps (brown)
Sex-Link (brown eggs)
Most EEs (blue/green - sometimes pink)

Laced Dottes are a fair choice - but I'm not sure they'd make my "top 10 best layers" list. 

You asked what I meant about birds being "flighty", Carolyn was right, flighty is often times used to describe birds who are skittish, easily scared or always nervous.   I've had Ameracauna's and I didn't like them because of their nervousness.

If I was choosing birds for my little kids - I'd get chicks not adult birds so that the birds get used to humans easier.  I'd probably select -- 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Black Ostrolorp, 1 Golden Sex-Link, and an EE.  During the spring and summer that should get you about 15 eggs a week +/-.  I'd also consider those breeds more docile than others, and they'd all look very different.

This thread moves blazingly fast, so don't worry about trying to read every post - most of us don't.  We just skim stuff looking for things that pique our interest, or our name specifically.

No question should go un-asked


Dave

For the pretty blue eggs I don't care about high producers. Lol I guess my "problem" with EEs were that they are "common" and "mutts" but now that I think of it they are probably the best of both worlds what are sex links crosses of? How are laced wyandottes? I loooove their color. I'm not a huge fan of black or white chickens but would definitely consider a ostrolorp, is that the same as astrolorps? How long until I can keep them outside if raising from chicks? I have an unused bathtub that I could keep them in although my parents might have a cow. I'm worried chicks would be too much work at this point for me, I can barely handle my son! Also will just getting 2 be ok? Like a EE and a Orpington? I know ill want more chickens later but I think 4 would be too much work right now. Or is it better to start them all together?

 

[BGMatt]

Is there anyone coming south through the Olympia/Tacoma area for next weeks show? Need to get some 3 large fowl transported south from Olympia/Tacoma area.

 

[nikki1]

For the pretty blue eggs I don't care about high producers. Lol I guess my "problem" with EEs were that they are "common" and "mutts" but now that I think of it they are probably the best of both worlds

what are sex links crosses of? How are laced wyandottes? I loooove their color. I'm not a huge fan of black or white chickens but would definitely consider a ostrolorp, is that the same as astrolorps? How long until I can keep them outside if raising from chicks? I have an unused bathtub that I could keep them in although my parents might have a cow. I'm worried chicks would be too much work at this point for me, I can barely handle my son! Also will just getting 2 be ok? Like a EE and a Orpington? I know ill want more chickens later but I think 4 would be too much work right now. Or is it better to start them all together?

My 5 year old daughter is our chicken whisperer. Her favorites are the friendliest and prettiest. Tops are Lily and Dolly Madison, our Easter Eggers. One lays green/blue eggs, and the other lays pinkish tan eggs that are like fine china...smooth and almost pearlescent. My favorite is our barred rock, Amelia. She's curious, friendly, and follows people all over the yard. Our wyandotte and our buckeye are pretty, but not particularly social. Our buff orpington is mellow, but just a little shy.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote: Yes I am sure. Are you?? BTW The color did start for BLRW. As did anything that is laced.

 

[T Hi]

[COLOR=800080]DUCKS are the BEST!! [/COLOR]

[COLOR=800080]They lay bigger and they lay more with less maintenance[/COLOR] [COLOR=800080]and they don't attack you like an eagle on steroids...[/COLOR] like some evil chickens I know.

Blunt bills and webbed feet = [COLOR=800080] friendly bird.[/COLOR] [COLOR=800080]This does not include the duck wanabeees...aka muscovies.[/COLOR] [COLOR=800080]Them birds are turduckens. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=800080]Looks like a turkey, roost like a chicken and swims like a duck.[/COLOR] Evil looking creatures from the dark ages. Creepy...

[COLOR=800080]...just creepy.[/COLOR] [COLOR=800080]Right Daffy? [/COLOR]

Daffy gives you 2 wings up!!