Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[CarolynF]

Yeah, I do not doubt. I'm all sorts of busy this Saturday, so no chicken temptation for me. I hope there are more shows like it along through the year. I'll definitely be looking at such with new eyes.

Thanks for the warm welcome, folks!

Well, the show doesn't wrap up until Sunday. You can still go over on Sunday morning to take a look at all the hundreds, yes hundreds, of birds from tiny seramas to jersey giants, and ducks and turkeys! It's absolutely amazing to see the first time. You'll see birds you didn't even know existed! And you'll meet Chicken Rustler (definitley the high point).

You live SO close that you'll kick yourself if you don't go for a little while at least! Honest!

 

[SadieSue]

Well it looks like my mistakenly locking down the incubator Wheaton Ameraucanas two full days early hasn't done too much damage. I've got 4 out of 6 hatched so far! Yesterday was officially hatch day and then another popped out last night. I'm worrying about my last two eggs - I haven't seen any pips on them yet. And the babies of course keep coming to the window when I talk to them. I know they want OUT.

These are my gf's chicks that I volunteered to hatch for her. She's not a fan of having chicks in the house though and is having a big party for two kids making their First Communion on Sunday so she's fussing a bit about not having any place for the chicks except in the house.

So I'm thinking... My third Silkie, Pearlie June, just went broody again. The other two ladies in the VF coop are already raising my 3 week olds. Pearlie June has been broody about a week. I'm wondering if I keep the chicks in the brooder in my house this week if Pearlie June would accept them after that? I'm guessing she would as she was pretty good about having the other chicks in the coop the past three weeks...

Any opinions on this? That way my gf wouldn't have to worry about having these pesky chicks in her home and I'd get to play with them!

Here's the first 4. Waiting, waiting, waiting on 5 and 6... I sure hope they come out today. I don't like worrying about the last to hatch...

 

[dobok]

Hi guys how the flock are ya ?

 

[Sudsy Chick]

Well it looks like my mistakenly locking down the incubator Wheaton Ameraucanas two full days early hasn't done too much damage. I've got 4 out of 6 hatched so far! Yesterday was officially hatch day and then another popped out last night. I'm worrying about my last two eggs - I haven't seen any pips on them yet. And the babies of course keep coming to the window when I talk to them. I know they want OUT.

These are my gf's chicks that I volunteered to hatch for her. She's not a fan of having chicks in the house though and is having a big party for two kids making their First Communion on Sunday so she's fussing a bit about not having any place for the chicks except in the house.

So I'm thinking... My third Silkie, Pearlie June, just went broody again. The other two ladies in the VF coop are already raising my 3 week olds. Pearlie June has been broody about a week. I'm wondering if I keep the chicks in the brooder in my house this week if Pearlie June would accept them after that? I'm guessing she would as she was pretty good about having the other chicks in the coop the past three weeks...

Any opinions on this? That way my gf wouldn't have to worry about having these pesky chicks in her home and I'd get to play with them!

Here's the first 4. Waiting, waiting, waiting on 5 and 6... I sure hope they come out today. I don't like worrying about the last to hatch...



'

Aw, they are adorable!!!

IMO, the earlier you put them under mama, the better chance you have of her taking them (as day olds rather than week olds.)

Of course there is the issue that she has only been broody for one week...

Silkies are pretty good brooders... and you know your girls pretty well.

If you think she'd take them, you might want to take one or two down and watch her reaction?
Oh goodness, I'm no help, am I?

 

[CarolynF]

Well it looks like my mistakenly locking down the incubator Wheaton Ameraucanas two full days early hasn't done too much damage. I've got 4 out of 6 hatched so far! Yesterday was officially hatch day and then another popped out last night. I'm worrying about my last two eggs - I haven't seen any pips on them yet. And the babies of course keep coming to the window when I talk to them. I know they want OUT.

These are my gf's chicks that I volunteered to hatch for her. She's not a fan of having chicks in the house though and is having a big party for two kids making their First Communion on Sunday so she's fussing a bit about not having any place for the chicks except in the house.

So I'm thinking... My third Silkie, Pearlie June, just went broody again. The other two ladies in the VF coop are already raising my 3 week olds. Pearlie June has been broody about a week. I'm wondering if I keep the chicks in the brooder in my house this week if Pearlie June would accept them after that? I'm guessing she would as she was pretty good about having the other chicks in the coop the past three weeks...

Any opinions on this? That way my gf wouldn't have to worry about having these pesky chicks in her home and I'd get to play with them!

Here's the first 4. Waiting, waiting, waiting on 5 and 6... I sure hope they come out today. I don't like worrying about the last to hatch...

Such cute little things! I want to hold them!! Right NOW!!!!!!!!! I hope the last two make it out quickly and happily.

Oh, the cutest thing with my little wheaten am. I figured out that when I catch her, which she doesn't really like, and I hold her so that her feet are on the palm of my hand, she relaxes and lets me pet her as long as I want to. Just like when she was tiny! Apparently it's really important to her to have steady footing, because if her feet are dangling she's a real wiggle worm and struggles to get loose. Then, when they finally go inside their coop at night she'll cuddle up to my hand if it's in front of her chest and let me pet her again with my other hand. I just LOVE IT!

By the way.... has anybody actually SEEN this GF that Sadie Sue keeps referring to? Me thinks it's her imaginary little friend who happens to be an enabler so she can hatch more chicks!!!

 

[bikerchicky]

I used a trampoline as shelter for Muscovy ducks in the past because it provided solar heat in the winter and kept the snow melted underneath (I lived in Ellensburg at the time). It had pads over the springs to keep kids from falling through while jumping.

I inherited this when I married my hubby. It doesn't have the pads. Not sure I want to take on the task of making some. Guess I will just have to watch my girls. Such a difficult thing to spend hours doing.....NOT

 

[SadieSue]

Quote: Sure you are. You're telling me that all birds are individuals with different personalities and that I should maybe experiment and see what works best with my birds. And when I do, to use caution and observe them for any behavior that might be harmful to the chicks.

Pretty sound advice I think. Thank you!

 

[SadieSue]

Quote: Cute story about your Wheaten Am... I do like friendly chicks!

As far as my gf being real or not - Um. Yeah... I've seen her and talked to her. For 40 years now. I'm pretty sure she's real. But boy, has she helped me get in trouble a lot when we were in high school. She has talked me into some situations I tell you! And now, more chick raising... when will her bad influence ever end? She even told me to go ahead and order those Olive Egger eggs that should be arriving next week. But no - I don't think anyone else here has ever seen her... Huh.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Well, short of pitching out some old hay and putting the hanging feeder in a bucket full of bleach water and rinsing it out, the Wyandotte abode is ready for new tenants. I also have the new composter set up and a few dozen other small things taken care of. So I am resting for a smidge before I go finish the day, OK?

8 eggs from 11 chooks so far today.

 

[bikerchicky]

A slow gradual feather loss is pretty normal, as long as the pullets are not becoming bald. New feathers will grow in to replace the ones that fall out.
Usually pullets will go through one or two "mini" molts before they start "true" molting. I've heard at 6 months and 12 months.
True molting is in the fall (since most chicks are hatched in the spring) it is often at about 18 months.

Now that being said... I've had chickens about 12 years now, and have had only 1 chicken truly molt in the fall. And never had a pullet "mini" molt. Just a year round gradual feather loss; with an occasional bald spot.
I've speculated that the mild climate here is the reason, but others have reported the same thing in more extreme climates.

lighting can sometimes effect molting as well.

Russ

Great information. Thanks