Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[robj]

Hi WA chicken people.

I'm just getting started with my chicken adventure. I'm hoping to be ready to get some pullets by Monday, maybe Wednesday at the latest. Working hard on getting the coop and run "just right". I have been looking around and I was wondering if folks can point me to a good source for them or some sort of info describing the possible sources? Looking for egg making breeds as opposed to meat. I'll probably want to get 5-8. I'm in North Seattle area but I can travel. Hopefully someone can help take the mystery out of sourcing some neat birds for me?

Thanks!

Welcome! I know of a couple of places down south 1 in the Tacoma area and 1 in Gig harbor I know there is a few places a lot closer to you but someone else will have to help with the names of those. What breed of bird you are looking for will help with the direction you may be sent. There a many egg layers do you have anything in mind? let us know what makes a bird interesting to you because there are a TON of options
.
You want egg layers there is white, brown, green, pink, blue and olive? (There are a few of us that have a very colorful basket of eggs) There are many different colors of the same breed of bird available as well.
Do you want just a bird in the backyard (which is fine) or do you want a bird that will be easier to handle? There is a big difference in temperament in some breeds.
Are you thinking of showing you birds?
Some breeds do better then others in pen rather then being able to free range so how is you coop set up?
A few questions to help us give you suggestions on a breed. You can find chicks at your local feed store you just may be limited on selection.

Some common good layers (Brown eggs)
Barred Rock (one of many colors of the Plymouth Rock)
Buff Orpington (Orpingtons come in many colors and sizes not just Buff)
Rhode Island Red
Black Australorp
Wyandotte Gold Laced and Silver Laced are common. Blue laced Red is another of many colors in Wyandottes.
Thes are all great layers and all have good temperaments
Good luck and have fun!!
OH YEAH GOOD LUCK WITH THAT 5 OR 6 # CUZ CHICKEN IS A HEADIN YER WAY!!!

 

[RedReiner]

Hi WA chicken people.

I'm just getting started with my chicken adventure. I'm hoping to be ready to get some pullets by Monday, maybe Wednesday at the latest. Working hard on getting the coop and run "just right". I have been looking around and I was wondering if folks can point me to a good source for them or some sort of info describing the possible sources? Looking for egg making breeds as opposed to meat. I'll probably want to get 5-8. I'm in North Seattle area but I can travel. Hopefully someone can help take the mystery out of sourcing some neat birds for me? Thanks!

There are several members that breeds and sell in the north Seattle area. Rainwolf for one. She's not often on BYC anymore, but I'll send her a message. Russ

lots of us up this way, I have English import orpingtons, blue black and splash, 4H mom has a variety of breeds, we are in Monroe, another gal up the road has silkies and others. there are just to many to list up this way,

 

[Paradox]

Thanks very much for the warm response!

At this point it's all about the eggs. Chilled easy going temperament that lay well. Color of the eggs is less important to me than getting nice size and good tasting eggs if they happen to be cool colors then that is icing on the cake for me. Maybe later I'll be looking for other attributes? My coop is 4.5' by 6' with 18' x 4.5' of run space. 4.5' x 24' total for the birds.

My breed list at this point is:

Red Sex-link
Black Sex-link
Gold Sex-link
Silver laced Wyandotte
Blue Andalusian
Ancona
Black Jersy Giant
Egyption Fayoumi
Gold Laced Wyandotte

Not in any particular order, based on what could be available at one particular source. I'm easy on the breeds if I know thye are coming from a good source.

Thanks!

 

[Rainwolf]

Hi WA chicken people.

I'm just getting started with my chicken adventure. I'm hoping to be ready to get some pullets by Monday, maybe Wednesday at the latest. Working hard on getting the coop and run "just right". I have been looking around and I was wondering if folks can point me to a good source for them or some sort of info describing the possible sources? Looking for egg making breeds as opposed to meat. I'll probably want to get 5-8. I'm in North Seattle area but I can travel. Hopefully someone can help take the mystery out of sourcing some neat birds for me? Thanks!

Hi there! I am located right by northgate mall! I have many chicks for sale, just hatched to started outside ready birds. You can stop by and chat chickens if you like. send a pm since it is difficult for me to keep up here. Welcome to BYC!

 

[Slinglings]

Hi WA chicken people.

I'm just getting started with my chicken adventure. I'm hoping to be ready to get some pullets by Monday, maybe Wednesday at the latest. Working hard on getting the coop and run "just right". I have been looking around and I was wondering if folks can point me to a good source for them or some sort of info describing the possible sources? Looking for egg making breeds as opposed to meat. I'll probably want to get 5-8. I'm in North Seattle area but I can travel. Hopefully someone can help take the mystery out of sourcing some neat birds for me?

Thanks!

Hi Paradox! It's nice to meet you! I'm also in North Seattle~ and I know Rainwolf also. She has some nice birds.

 

[Slinglings]

Thanks very much for the warm response!

At this point it's all about the eggs. Chilled easy going temperament that lay well. Color of the eggs is less important to me than getting nice size and good tasting eggs if they happen to be cool colors then that is icing on the cake for me. Maybe later I'll be looking for other attributes? My coop is 4.5' by 6' with 18' x 4.5' of run space. 4.5' x 24' total for the birds.

My breed list at this point is:

Red Sex-link
Black Sex-link
Gold Sex-link
Silver laced Wyandotte
Blue Andalusian
Ancona
Black Jersy Giant
Egyption Fayoumi
Gold Laced Wyandotte

Not in any particular order, based on what could be available at one particular source. I'm easy on the breeds if I know thye are coming from a good source.

Thanks!

From your list, I have a red sex link, black sex link and they are both good layers and laid early. I also have a black jersey giant. She is a good layer now but took a very long time to lay and eats a lot and POOPS a lot. She really makes a mess. She's a very gentle quiet girl and nice to have around, but has some downsides. My best layers are a red sex link and white leg horn, I bought both of them from a breeder in Lynnwood. You can see what I have in my signature. I am probably close to you if you ever want to come meet any of them

eta: I forgot about Buffy my buff orpington, she is an excellent layer, quiet and gentle. You didn't have that on your list but she is a good chicken. She took a while to lay but she is reliable now. I got her from the same breeder in lynnwood.

 

[Paradox]

You folks rock!

This is where I'll be putting them. You can see the foundation for my coop. I have the nest box built and I'm going to be framing today and tomorrow. I'd like to be ready for birds this week for sure. I'll be in touch for sure.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Thanks very much for the warm response!

At this point it's all about the eggs. Chilled easy going temperament that lay well. Color of the eggs is less important to me than getting nice size and good tasting eggs if they happen to be cool colors then that is icing on the cake for me. Maybe later I'll be looking for other attributes? My coop is 4.5' by 6' with 18' x 4.5' of run space. 4.5' x 24' total for the birds.

My breed list at this point is:

Red Sex-link
Black Sex-link
Gold Sex-link
Silver laced Wyandotte
Blue Andalusian
Ancona
Black Jersy Giant
Egyption Fayoumi
Gold Laced Wyandotte

Not in any particular order, based on what could be available at one particular source. I'm easy on the breeds if I know thye are coming from a good source.

Thanks!

The only one I have on your list is the GSL. We love her, great personality, small in size but lays large egg only taking a day break every 8-9 days. You might also consider Barred Plymouth Rocks and Easter Eggers. Both are good layers and have great temperaments.

 

[CarolynF]

Quote:
Hi, and Welcome! I hope you'll love your birds as much as all of us do!
Based on the dimensions you've given, I'd suggest starting with 5. I'd also suggest that if there is ANY way for you to make a larger run, do it now. I ended up increasing the run 2 times in 2 years. Although my original pen was technically the "right" size (10 sq ft per hen) it made ME feel like they were too cramped. It would have been so much easier and cheaper to do it the first time. Taking an extra week in the beginning can save you a LOT of hassles later on. We hear that over and over again as people are getting started.

I have an EE, Blue Wheaten Ameraucana, Gold Sex Link, Barnevelder, and Swedish Flower Hen. I recently lost my BSL who was my favorite; she was a good layer and had the nicest personality. The suggestions you've gotten here have all been really good. You're smart to get birds from reliable non-hatchery sources. Rainwolf is definitely a good resource, and going to visit her and others can be a great experience. Be sure to ask lots of questions, we always have lots of opinions around here.

ETA: Jersey Giants from Chickielady!

 

[Lutefisk]

Hi, and Welcome!  I hope you'll love your birds as much as all of  us do! 
Based on the dimensions you've given, I'd suggest starting with 5.  I'd also suggest that if there is ANY way for you to make a larger run, do it now.  I ended up increasing the run 2 times in 2 years.  Although my original pen was technically the "right" size (10 sq ft per hen) it made ME feel like they were too cramped.  It would have been so much easier and cheaper to do it the first time.  Taking an extra week in the beginning can save you a LOT of hassles later on.  We hear that over and over again as people are getting started. 

I have an EE, Blue Wheaten Ameraucana, Gold Sex Link, Barnevelder, and Swedish Flower Hen.  I recently lost my BSL who was my favorite; she was a good layer and had the nicest personality.  The suggestions you've gotten here have all been really good.  You're smart to get birds from reliable non-hatchery sources.  Rainwolf is definitely a good resource, and going to visit her and others can be a great experience.  Be sure to ask lots of questions, we always have lots of opinions around here.

ETA:   Jersey Giants from Chickielady!

I don't know how run space is calculated, but I figure it's big enough if the grass can keep up with the population of chickens foraging and scratching. If they turn it into a barren wasteland... Too small!