Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[PopoMyers]

Well, it's a rainy Saturday here in Spokane area, and hoping it'll clear up in time for a 4pm outdoor wedding.

 

[PopoMyers]

Yes

 

[pennyJo1960]

Yours or someone elses Popo?

 

[PopoMyers]

Yours or someone elses Popo?

Copied from FB post. Update, rain cleared, and rest of wedding day 30 min. delayed, was clear, but cold and breezy.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Happy Sunday to all here .. I have bleached my feet every time I go in the coop. Suppose to go in the 70's here.

 

[My Three Chicks]

Hi Everyone. I'm so excited to be moving to Seattle in 3 weeks! I lived up there 10 years ago before I had chickens. So it'll be my first time living there with chickens! I got a great reference from a post earlier for a guy to build me a coop. That gets installed in 2 weeks.
Any other wise words of advice from my fellow Washingtonians??
What kind of predators should I expect? Any of the digging variety?
My biggest concern right now is a yard/garden full of plants/flowers that are potentially poisonous to chickens! I've read that chickens will leave them alone and also have read cases where they've ingested and died!
Thanks!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to to the state thread .. Ventalation if you want to stave off frostbite .. no chicken wire please all hardware cloth.

 

[Sequel]

Hi Everyone. I'm so excited to be moving to Seattle in 3 weeks! I lived up there 10 years ago before I had chickens. So it'll be my first time living there with chickens! I got great a great reference from a post earlier for a guy to build me a coop. That gets installed in 2 weeks.
Any other wise words of advise from my fellow Washingtonians??
What kind of predators should I expect? Any of the digging variety?
My biggest concern right now is a yard/garden full of plants/flowers that are potentially poisonous to chickens! I've read that chickens will leave them alone and also have read cases where they've ingested and died!
Thanks!

Hi! That’s great that you’re moving back! Generally predators in my area are: Dogs, Birds of prey, Raccoons, dogs, coyotes, foxes, dogs and mink. I have an occasional opossum show up but not often and they caused no trouble. Depending on your location, as in how urban or suburban, you might add more dogs.
Penney gave you good advice about no chicken wire. Think about keeping dogs of all sizes out. Big ones can go over or push through weak fencing. Little ones can reach through and grab chickens. Ok so they won’t but Raccoons can!
The diggers I’ve had are rats. So far no tunneling chicken killers.

If I’m honest the only predator deaths I’ve had were from birds of prey. One was a hawk which I saw, the other I didn’t see but suspect either hawk or owl. So provide a good covered area that they can be safe in at least part of the time.
Good luck and may your move have no adventures!

 

[Hinotori]

Hi Everyone. I'm so excited to be moving to Seattle in 3 weeks! I lived up there 10 years ago before I had chickens. So it'll be my first time living there with chickens! I got great a great reference from a post earlier for a guy to build me a coop. That gets installed in 2 weeks.
Any other wise words of advise from my fellow Washingtonians??
What kind of predators should I expect? Any of the digging variety?
My biggest concern right now is a yard/garden full of plants/flowers that are potentially poisonous to chickens! I've read that chickens will leave them alone and also have read cases where they've ingested and died!
Thanks!

Welcome!

I'll add weasel family to the list. I had a issue one year and had to make traps. I did have an opposum kill one of my birds. Dogs took care of it. The racoon that lives out in trees has stayed far away from any structures here but they are usually problems.

Hawks and neighbor's dog have been my biggest issue. Dog was hit by a car and haven't had an issue since.

I've never had chickens eat a poisonous plant and they hang out under the wild foxglove in the summer for shade as they get 5 foot tall here. Just make sure there are edible alternatives and they won't try.

 

[Hinotori]

Oh and keep all Styrofoam out of their reach. Chickens love styrofoam