Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Elweirdo]

We already have a coop with a fenced run. It's just my wife and I so we don't need lots of eggs. We thought 3 was a nice number to start with. I think the coop is big enough for more.
I also have 2 beagles so there is concern for Barney's reaction. He'll probably howl a lot at the beginning.
As for varieties, I'm thinking Barred Rock, RIR, Austrolorp and/or Buff Orpington. Not sure. Wilco will have pullets of each starting up soon. Does that mean mixed sex or all ladies?
I need to do some work to get everything ready. Still need a feeder and water. Need to work out where and how I'll brood the little puff balls.
The first steps always seem the most daunting.
Thanks.
Jeff

 

[Elweirdo]

Sorry for your loss.

...psa to cover your rain barrels.

My Brabanter hen, echo, got in to our rain barrel and drowned yesterday.

The barrel is now secure so it cannot happen again.

She was our only pullet out of a bad hatch....she was such a sweet bird </3
My 3 year old is ao upset.

 

[mixedbreeds]

We already have a coop with a fenced run. It's just my wife and I so we don't need lots of eggs. We thought 3 was a nice number to start with. I think the coop is big enough for more.
I also have 2 beagles so there is concern for Barney's reaction. He'll probably howl a lot at the beginning.
As for varieties, I'm thinking Barred Rock, RIR, Austrolorp and/or Buff Orpington. Not sure. Wilco will have pullets of each starting up soon. Does that mean mixed sex or all ladies?
I need to do some work to get everything ready. Still need a feeder and water. Need to work out where and how I'll brood the little puff balls.
The first steps always seem the most daunting.
Thanks.
Jeff

Hi and welcome. I have several kinds of chickens and they have all done well but the black astralope, Rhode island red and Welsummers have layed an egg every day since they started early last July. I found that pretty impressive

 

[pennyJo1960]

We already have a coop with a fenced run. It's just my wife and I so we don't need lots of eggs. We thought 3 was a nice number to start with. I think the coop is big enough for more.
I also have 2 beagles so there is concern for Barney's reaction. He'll probably howl a lot at the beginning.
As for varieties, I'm thinking Barred Rock, RIR, Austrolorp and/or Buff Orpington. Not sure. Wilco will have pullets of each starting up soon. Does that mean mixed sex or all ladies?
I need to do some work to get everything ready. Still need a feeder and water. Need to work out where and how I'll brood the little puff balls.
The first steps always seem the most daunting.
Thanks.
Jeff

Good morning

I am down in Mossyrock if you choose to go
with hatchery birds they should have lists with what is shipped then ...theceltichorse is correct
chicken math is a national affliction many of us have. Personally started with 5 now have 20
1 cockerel.. all of us have different breeds to some extent

 

[Elweirdo]

Good morning I am down in Mossyrock if you choose to go
with hatchery birds they should have lists with what is shipped then ...theceltichorse is correct
chicken math is a national affliction many of us have. Personally started with 5 now have 20
1 cockerel.. all of us have different breeds to some extent

I have Wilco's Chick Arrivals sheet in front of me now. When it says 'pullet' is that a sexed female chick? It specifies straight run as mixed sex so I assumed as much.
I've been reading and Chicken math is mentioned a lot. I believe it. I have always had pretty good pet will power though. I rescue beagles so we have to have limits. Barney is an X factor.
From people I know with chickens and much of what I've read I assume hanging feeders are preferred as well as scattering scratch treats? Seems like there are many different watering methods. I'll need to decide on something.
My profile picture is my coop with the last flock to live here. I need to provide some heat. I'll need pine chips. I have straw.
Several fences and hound dogs provide some predator protection.
I've got work to do before I buy any birds.
It's exciting though.

 

[Hinotori]

...psa to cover your rain barrels.

My Brabanter hen, echo, got in to our rain barrel and drowned yesterday.

The barrel is now secure so it cannot happen again.

She was our only pullet out of a bad hatch....she was such a sweet bird My 3 year old is ao upset.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your girl.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Quote: your guess is correct pullet refers to female where as straight run can either
and luck of the draw after birds are feathered they really do not need heat
I use a pvc feeder I will post a picture but if you put the phrase in the search box you will also find them
after trying a few ways to give clean water I have gone to nipples in buckets. I do not put any kind of food, water or treats outside
it is all kept in my coop

 

[Hinotori]

Quote:

Yes pullets are sexed as female. It's about 90% accurate.

Starting with 3 is a good thing. You can add more later after you realize how sweet and friendly hens are


Oh and if you're giving scratch, don't forget the granite grit for the hens. oystershell isn't grit, it's to help them make good shells.

 

[Babybockbock]

Anyone have a hen they are willing to part with? Our poor Charlie is lonely now...and my bigger girls are brats to him!...we would love another brabanter hen or pullet..a silky or any breed of bantam.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Anyone have a hen they are willing to part with? Our poor Charlie is lonely now...and my bigger girls are brats to him!...we would love another brabanter hen or pullet..a silky or any breed of bantam.

might see about @Hinotori I know she has Silkies not sure what she has just now