Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Chickielady]

I locked the dogs in the chicken pen for half an hour and left them. I was hoping they'd get some rodents. Much to Athena's disappointment, she didn't get to kill any. Zeus ate a bunch of chicken food, which is the only danger of leaving them with the birds.


I have good dogs

 

[orchardflock]

Their wings were the only thing that saved them.
Why would you want to clip them & make them more vulnerable ?

Excellent question. I know we recently decided to clip some of our birds wings (the bantams) because they were flying out of their pen with 8 foot fencing and feasting on peaches. The thought was they (and our crop) would be safer if they stayed in their secure area. Also, we are planning on putting netting over everything. We decided not to clip any wings of our free ranging large birds to make them less sensitive to predators.

Speaking of predators, we discovered evidence of a black bear today IN our fenced area! Near our bee hives (which amazingly are untouched and doing well)! I just placed an order for several bear deterrent devices and stuff to electrify our fence. Not sure anymore if clipping anyone's wings was a great idea.

 

[Chickielady]

Completely off topic.
I'm in rural Snohomish out towards Monroe. Has anyone had any problems with Blackhead disease in this area? Or know if it's a problem in Washington state in general?
I have turkeys and chickens and wanted to potentially give them a combined run space, but keep their coops separate.

I have never heard of it in the state, but best thing YOU can do is contact the NPIP in Olympia and ask them ! Subscribe to their e-letter which Lyndon posts daily concerning everything from Parvo to West nile Virus to Newcastile to Bird Flu...this is an e-letter put out by Wa State VETS which are watching export/import and cases in other countries
BUT most of their posts (daily) concern us here in the United States.

Click here, read, and register to get their e-letter daily~

https://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AvianHealth/AvianNPIP.aspx

 

[Chickielady]

Thank you.
I'm so hesitant to mix them. The turkeys are seriously my little loves ( well they are pretty big now, haha ) I just don't want it to be my rotten bad luck I end up having blackhead in my yard.
I should introduce myself. I'm Shannon. My family is pretty new to chickens and turkeys. We got some chicks and poults from our local Co op and we are having a blast with them.
We have 2 Narragansett Turkeys, and 4 chickens.. a Delaware, Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington and French Wheaton Maran.
We are in the Snohomish area as I mentioned. Originally from San Diego.
Nice to meet everyone!

I have had, both..and while the Toms can get irratated by the Cocks & their crowing in breeding time, after that they usually get along OK.
The hens in both breeds seem to do Ok.
I have never heard of black head in this state, that said, keep the drugs on hand just in case ( I did)
It is easier to get the proper drugs for it now, rather than try to find them when your birds are sick.
That said, it is wise to follow what the brainiacs say we should do, in the first place, that being not housing them all together.

 

[Chickielady]

I regularly allow my birds to free range out of their coop pens, and I have alot of coop pens, so daily a different group can free range.
Those that have flown out of their coop run, have had bird net applied over their runs...
That is only necessary with light weight breeds, like Leghorns, and some Ameraucanas.
My heavy breeds can only dream of flying out over the pen fence.
nonetheless, flying is necessary for them to evade predators...
But by all means, save the peaches !

 

[Chickielady]

5 pounds of delicious. Making jam and bread tonight for tomorrow's breakfast.
View attachment 1108501

I am so sick of berries this time of year ! The blueberries especially...I have to pick them daily and I get so tired of it........I free them daily in 1 quart containers (as apples & pears) I can use them in winter to make upside down cakes......YUM

 

[Chickielady]

Does anyone have a recommendation of a hatchery to use to buy Indian Runner ducklings from? These are going to be pets not show.

Also, are there any breeders located in Washington for these birds?

There is a few that raise runners here, one is @blueduckings who mainly is on FB at this time: Linda Chaw (FB: https://www.facebook.com/linda.chaw.7?fref=pb&hc_location=friends_tab&pnref=friends.all )

 

[Chickielady]

I just joined tonight and it was suggested to join this thread. I live in Napavine Wa

Welcome to the thread !!

 

[Chickielady]

Cool colors on the baby Sulmtalers.............

 

[pennyJo1960]

these are my little peeps