Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Chickielady]

It seems that many people are having great success with poop hammocks. Seems easier to carry to the compost if it's just a sling.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/534564/poop-hammock-rocks



As noted, I am putting up walls on the exterior parts of the roosting area. The bottom 2 feet are 1/2" hardware cloth to prevent grabbers on the ground, and the chickens will be protected by walls in the lofted area.

I had yards of that non-sticky teflon-like white webbing that we used for the koi water filters...but never thought it was useful for such a purpose. But looks interesting, easier than poop scopping for sure, and less dust.
Good idea !

 

[Chickielady]

Unfortunately, I don't know anybody with chickens to buy!

Ask.
There is alot of us here.
I am also avoiding any large hatcheries (besides the obvious reasons) to avoid possibly importing further AI in this state.
It is scarey stuff !
And we have enough to worry about with the Pacific Flyway right down the middle of our state.
Just my opinion.

 

[MargaretYakoda]

You would caponize a female ?

OMG no... I have caponizing on my brain this week. I meant cull. I wouldn't cull her for this.
I am considering learning to polardize pullets, but this one's a JG so she's not going under the knife.

 

[CarolynF]

Hi there Washington neighbors! My name is Mary and I am brand new to chickens but loving every second of it. I'm so happy to have found BYC and other chicken enthusiast!

Hi Mary,

Glad you found us. Tell us about your birds and your setup. This is a great place to share and learn.


Quote:

I just got three lil week old chicks last Monday. The rir is Una, the bigger Welsummer is Nugget, and the smaller Welsummer is Gummi. I gave my roommates a bunch of mealworms to feed the chicks with, and now if you put your hand in the brooder all the little ladies come run over and sit on your hand. They love to cuddle up and ride shoulders and arms around and almost don't want to go back to the box afterwards. I'm so excited to have chickens again!

Sweet Babies! Welcome!

With all of this drama with AI, how do you recommend getting a few laying (or nearly laying age) hens? I have a few breeds that I have been thinking I'd like, but I am not set on anything just yet. I'd like to support people who aren't just raising hatchery birds, but frankly, I don't know enough about buying chickens to make this happen

Your conversion sounds great, you've been really thorough! You might want to think about a way to provide more protection in the winter. But it would be for your own peace of mind as much or more than for your chickens. I'm a softy so I have a coop with 4 walls, a floor and a roof.

As far as getting chickens locally.... like ChickieLady said.... Just Ask. Several of us can point you in the right direction. It takes a bit more patience and planning than going to a feed store or doing mail order, but you'll generally get birds of better quality and lower risk. And don't be afraid to ask more than once. Put together a wish list, run it up the flag pole and see who salutes!

 

[Chickielady]

OMG no... I have caponizing on my brain this week. I meant cull. I wouldn't cull her for this.
I am considering learning to polardize pullets, but this one's a JG so she's not going under the knife.

Thank goodness ! I thought for a moment that your cheese had slid right off your cracker !

If I had more energy, I'd caponize the 15 cockerels I have running around & doing nothing but eating right now.

 

[sweetsam]

@overeggextender I also thought about renter a rooster. I think it's a great idea although with the avian flu I might wait a while

 

[Chickielady]

Hi Mary,

Glad you found us. Tell us about your birds and your setup. This is a great place to share and learn.


Quote:

Sweet Babies! Welcome!

Your conversion sounds great, you've been really thorough! You might want to think about a way to provide more protection in the winter. But it would be for your own peace of mind as much or more than for your chickens. I'm a softy so I have a coop with 4 walls, a floor and a roof.

As far as getting chickens locally.... like ChickieLady said.... Just Ask. Several of us can point you in the right direction. It takes a bit more patience and planning than going to a feed store or doing mail order, but you'll generally get birds of better quality and lower risk. And don't be afraid to ask more than once. Put together a wish list, run it up the flag pole and see who salutes!

X2...well said Carolyn !

 

[Chickielady]

OK, the new coop, remodeled...what I have been doing the last 2 weeks..............













2 older Bielfelder cockerels, and the rest are younger Biel pullets, a cockerel, and several silver duckwing sulmtaler cockerels and their pullets, light (silver) and dark (wheaten) pulets...and there is nothing as cute as a Sulmtaler wheaten pullet just getting her crest...looks like the cutest, fatest little quail !

 

[Chickielady]

So last week I was forced to open up my little hoop house...LOL the maters were pressed up against the plastic & the squash were busting out !
I had not removed the plastic earlier due to so much cold weather we had !
COLD !!!
And inside the freshly laden composted hoop house, it stays a nice 70-80 degrees...all those wonderful microbes at work !


Opened the front....things are getting a wee bit ca-razy in there !

Spaghetti squash had to get out......so I opened a corner...

It was pure summer inside !

Finally they can come out of each corner.....and it was still so cold..............

Finally took the plastic off a week ago, and the squash has gone WILD !!!

 

[mOOf]

Chickielady, Your chickies are lucky to have such a beautiful coop! I love your paint job!