Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[CoopDeDoo]

I had to leave at 12:30, but I found out that Janelle's Barnevelder took Champion Large Fowl. A gorgeous hen.

A white Call Duck took BOS.

And a bantam (I don't know breed) took Best Chicken.

That Barnevelder was gorgeous! She stopped me in my tracks

I even made my DH ( totally not a chicken guy at all) come back and look at her (he was already in the next row thinking we we almost done

)

 

[pennyJo1960]

OMG! I just went to put the dog out and we ran into a gigantic possum. I am freaking! My heart is pounding, I have never seen a possum that big. I was planning on putting my chicks out in the coop but that ain't Flippin happening. I know all you farm people are laughing at me right now and I don't blame you but that thing was really big and I know it wants my chickens. So now I'm going to read up on possums here on this for him , I can tell I'm not going to get any sleep tonight.
I'm going tomorrow to get the supplies to build the new coop, I think my plans just changed! Right now my older chickens are outside in one of those prefab coops and also in a prefab run. The ones in the run are locked into a dog crate every night. But the others aren't. What should I do? Should I get a dog crate to put the others into until the new coop his boat? Will they be OK tonight? I know I am overreacting and freaking out but I would be devastated if that &$@$&&@& possum got my chickens. Oh sorry for the cussing. Are possum as good as raccoons when it comes to managing latches and hooks and enclosures? I could move all the chickens into the garage tonight. Oh man please help.

where do you live I have several dog crates you wouldn't have to buy them should you decide to do that.
I went to the local hard ware store bought a wading pool drilled wholes in the upper lip this is what it looks like.
this is one of the smaller pools a large one would be advised for full sized birds

 

[Leigti]

where do you live I have several dog crates you wouldn't have to buy them should you decide to do that. I went to the local hard ware store bought a wading pool drilled wholes in the upper lip this is what it looks like. this is one of the smaller pools a large one would be advised for full sized birds

I ended up putting the two oldest birds in the cat crate. A little cozy but they got over it. So I might have to buy one more crate. I live in Walla Walla. About three hours south of Spokane. I can probably borrow one from friends also but thanks for the offer. The crates have to be small enough to fit into the prefab runs, about 2 feet tall. Or less. I am probably just overreacting but that thing freaked me out. :-( My neighbors have chickens and chicks in some ramshackle enclosures, I will have to make sure I tell them about the possum. How do you say possum in Spanish? Maybe I'll just draw one. They'll get the idea.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I ended up putting the two oldest birds in the cat crate. A little cozy but they got over it. So I might have to buy one more crate. I live in Walla Walla. About three hours south of Spokane. I can probably borrow one from friends also but thanks for the offer. The crates have to be small enough to fit into the prefab runs, about 2 feet tall. Or less. I am probably just overreacting but that thing freaked me out. :-(
My neighbors have chickens and chicks in some ramshackle enclosures, I will have to make sure I tell them about the possum. How do you say possum in Spanish? Maybe I'll just draw one. They'll get the idea.

the large plastic pool might be your easiest cheapest idea rats nor possums could find a way in if you zip tie
wire every other opening it is pretty darn easy. you could put up to 6 birds in a large one

 

[lynnehd]

I ended up putting the two oldest birds in the cat crate. A little cozy but they got over it. So I might have to buy one more crate. I live in Walla Walla. About three hours south of Spokane. I can probably borrow one from friends also but thanks for the offer. The crates have to be small enough to fit into the prefab runs, about 2 feet tall. Or less. I am probably just overreacting but that thing freaked me out. :-(
My neighbors have chickens and chicks in some ramshackle enclosures, I will have to make sure I tell them about the possum. How do you say possum in Spanish? Maybe I'll just draw one. They'll get the idea.

You are not over reacting! There are so many horror stories, and the last thing you want is for something to happen because you didn't take it seriously enough.

Sounds like you can secure them for now in the dog crates, especially if you can find another one. Wish I lived closer, you could borrow mine.
I'd check Craigslist, and also perhaps post an ad on BYC's Buy Sell Trade forum.

I'd be sure to add a galvanized mesh apron to your coop/run.

Yikes!

 

[pennyJo1960]

You are not over reacting! There are so many horror stories, and the last thing you want is for something to happen because you didn't take it seriously enough.

Sounds like you can secure them for now in the dog crates, especially if you can find another one. Wish I lived closer, you could borrow mine.
I'd check Craigslist, and also perhaps post an ad on BYC's Buy Sell Trade forum.

I'd be sure to add a galvanized mesh apron to your coop/run.

Yikes!

Good idea thank you for chiming in

 

[Leigti]

My ground is basically rock with a tiny bit of dirt in it. You can't dig with a shovel you have to use a pick ax. So I'm not as worried about them digging in but I will definitely make the new coop secure. I use hardware cloth below and above my tortoise pens so the chicken run will get the same treatment. Except I Will just make an apron out of hardware cloth for the chicken coop.
Rearranging chicken sleeping accommodations was not what I really wanted to do at 11:30 last night but that's the way it goes sometimes The chickens weren't thrilled, they were clicking and staring at me like I was an idiot. They weren't very happy this morning either but oh well. They're happy now, they're out running around the yard. Except the babies they are in my house still which they are going to stay for another week or two now.

 

[pennyJo1960]

My ground is basically rock with a tiny bit of dirt in it. You can't dig with a shovel you have to use a pick ax. So I'm not as worried about them digging in but I will definitely make the new coop secure. I use hardware cloth below and above my tortoise pens so the chicken run will get the same treatment. Except I Will just make an apron out of hardware cloth for the chicken coop.
Rearranging chicken sleeping accommodations was not what I really wanted to do at 11:30 last night but that's the way it goes sometimes The chickens weren't thrilled, they were clicking and staring at me like I was an idiot. They weren't very happy this morning either but oh well. They're happy now, they're out running around the yard. Except the babies they are in my house still which they are going to stay for another week or two now.

sounds like a good plan, you might try the t-shirt thing with the ammonia living in Juneau we used it against bears
with peanut butter in cheesecloth

 

[Leigti]

What do you mean peanut butter in cheesecloth? Don't bears like peanut butter?

 

[Chickielady]

I am bringing a few doz French Silver Cuckoo Marans (eggs) and a few dozen Bielefelders...and maybe 1 doz Sulmtalers...my Sulms are trying to pull off a 1 yr molt....darn it.

I also have alot of chicks, from all 3 breeds.

I will not bring any chicks unless someone orders them.
To order, send me a PM before 5-6 PM tonight.

I lied, I stayed home sick...darn it !

and here is todays's laugh:

What do you call a hippie's wife? Mississippi.