Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[MisfitMarie]

Grapes actually do well. The chickens will eat any leaves they can reach. Getting fruit can be hit or miss depending on variety and heat.

That's a great idea! How long until I would have nice, long grape vines all over my run if I were to plant them this weekend? I don't know anything about grapes!

 

[QuiltinGramma]

Thanks for the help....I guess I got an Easter Egger then.

 

[Hinotori]

Grapes actually do well. The chickens will eat any leaves they can reach. Getting fruit can be hit or miss depending on variety and heat.

That's a great idea! How long until I would have nice, long grape vines all over my run if I were to plant them this weekend? I don't know anything about grapes!

Next year probably. In found the store bought ones take a while to get going. The one I pruned before planting did best. Well the ones I got from my great uncle did best but they were layered into the pot to root three years ago

 

[Hinotori]

Thanks for the help....I guess I got an Easter Egger then. 

My EEs have been very good layers. Even the four year old girls are doing decent

 

[MisfitMarie]

Next year probably. In found the store bought ones take a while to get going. The one I pruned before planting did best. Well the ones I got from my great uncle did best but they were layered into the pot to root three years ago

Okay, thanks! I'll start looking! Grape vines sound fantastic.

 

[clawstar]

Hello people from Washington. Just a question For anyone who lives near lake stevens. Who do you use as a sitter for your ducks or chickens? I am new to BYC and I will have 3 ducklings here in 2 weeks. I will be leaving town for about 10 days in July and I was wondering if someone could recommend anybody. Thanks

What part of lake stevens?? I don't know anyone, I would love to do it myself but idk anything about ducks...

 

[whatthequack]

What part of lake stevens?? I don't know anyone, I would love to do it myself but idk anything about ducks...

I live close to hwy 2 just off of 20th. Well that would be great we will definitely have to talk more. once I get them I will learn a lot more about them.

 

[Chickielady]

Thank you so much everyone. With your help I was able to locate eggs. Further, I've made a list of who to call in the future. Us western Washington people need a list of locals who have fertile eggs for sale, IMO. The two co-ops I called literally told me they couldn't help because it would be in direct conflict of their interest (selling their own baby chicks). Couldn't believe that attitude! I'm becoming quite disheartened by my local feed stores this spring.

@chickielady, I've added those to my list for next time.

Meanwhile violet is now sitting on 5 Swedish flowers and 2 silkies for her first venture into motherhood. I'm super nervous and excited!

Thanks again! And somewhere we need a list!!!!!! Local backyard coop people, for us small scale growers!

There is 2 kinds of people at feed stores (generally) and #1 is the horse girl (in her teens or young 20s) and the second is the owner/manager/ or otherwise is out for sales and yes, they want to sell their stuff.
The #1 girls just want to do their shift & go home and ride....

...........none of these people have much of any interest in your poultry.
They are, at best, middle men.

 

[Chickielady]

That works for me. I asked the seller and will get back to you.

We're talking, time is the issue now........

 

[Chickielady]

Educational Post

Ameraucana vs Americana/Easter Egger

It's spring and many of us are having a great time getting new chicks, so...... just to keep things straight when it comes to buying "Americana/Ameraucana" chicks from feed stores. 99% of the time those chicks will be Easter Eggers, not Ameraucanas. There is a serious lack of information (aka integrity) regarding Ameraucanas by the hatcheries and stores. And therefore an awful lot of people are misinformed and confused.

First, there is no such breed as an Americana. It's a made up name the hatcheries use for a mutt. It's a mixed breed that has some Ameraucana blood. Maybe half, maybe a quarter, maybe less. Because they can lay almost any color egg, they've been nicknamed Easter Eggers. As a mixed breed of no specific combination the offspring can have a multitude of looks, some are quite striking.

This doesn't make them bad birds, just not Ameraucanas.

Just like dogs, chickens have SOPs (standard of perfection) for each recognized breed. When you cross a german shepard with something else, it's no longer a german shepard, right? It might look a lot like a shepard, but it's not. We all accept that. It's the same with the chickens. Commercial hatcheries sell chicks that are a cross between Ameraucanas and whatever. They usually have puffy cheeks, and that's about as far as it goes. An Ameraucana lays a BLUE Egg, not a green egg. Easter Eggers can lay most any color egg, thus the name.

A LOT of us have Easter Eggers in our flocks and we love them. They're great chickens. They just aren't Ameraucanas -- and there is no such thing, at all, as an Americana. It would be really great if we could all learn to call them what they are.

The Ameraucana SOP recognizes only the varieties (colors) listed below. You can find out a lot more, and see pictures of the real ones at the Ameraucana Breeders Club website.
Black
Blue
Blue Wheaten
Brown Red
Buff
Silver
Wheaten
White

Good girl Carolyn !

I get so tired of trying to explain !