Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[puch]

thank

My experience is based on feathering. My flock made the transition with temps dropping below 40 at about 6 weeks. They were fully feathered and I tried to keep the temp up in the coop as outdoor brooder with a carefully suspended secure lamp (which I know is a taboo subject!). They huddled together for warmth and were fine, much happier with the space. Lamp was gone in a few nights when I was convinced that it really didn’t make a difference. Feathers are key

thank you so much!

 

[puch]

thank

I agree. If they are feathered they will be fine.

And BTW i use black ceramic lights when I need a bit of heat. They are not fragile like the red lights. I don't use them to brood chicks but some people do and they work fine.

thank you so much!

 

[puch]

what is black ceramic light?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Good morning Washingtonians!
I have question about a 5 week old chick(now) along with 6 (7week old chicks now) join to the older chicks.
in the past 4 days, Weather in Seattle was hot. so I put this 4 week old Starlight green egger pullet in the coop during the nights( 57 degree and above), she was whining, but servived. during the day time they were happier in the run than they did in the gargage.
next 5 days, the weather will be much cooler, and night temperature will drop to lower 50s or even 49 degrees.
should I pull her back to the brooder in the garage? if I do so, I have to pull another 6 chicks together with her. getting back to the small space maybe a challenge for them

A healthy 4 week old can easily withstand any of our low temps right now without heat, especially with other chicks to huddle together with.

 

[Hinotori]

what is black ceramic light?

Reptile bulb. I use one for my shed in winter. Just have it in a standard brooder bulb cover since I had that.

 

[Smokerbill]

These are the ones I bought.

 

[Smokerbill]

A couple of my old hens escaped the run and got into the great outdoors an hour ago so I let out the other three to give them all an evening of free range foraging. The teenager New Hampshire pullets are still locked up securely in the run because I have no idea where they'd run off to if I let them out.

Maybe I'll get more than one or two eggs tomorrow...

 

[Smokerbill]

The old hens are happy tonight, tearing up the flower bed that I don't really care about and making the young ones on the cage jealous. The light colored one is a free spirit and likes to forage next to the road. LOL

 

[FeatherAndBloom]

Anyone local to Longview/Kelso interested in adopting a lovely Gold Laced Polish hen or know of a polish/silkie flock who would like to welcome her? Sadly I didn't know so much about getting two of a kind when I got her, and now she's my "odd-one-out bottom chicken" and getting picked on for her cool hair-doo.

My only rooster is finally going to auction on Friday, which might change the dynamic a little, but it's the hens that are picking on poor Polly.

She's healthy, vaccinated, 14 weeks old purchased from a feed-store and raised on fermented Scratch and Peck. I've kept the bullying closely monitored and she doesn't currently have any feather loss. I just want a good caring home for her where she'll be able to a more pleasant experience. Main requirement is another polish or silkie for her to bond with.

 

[ValerieJ]

Sorry no silkies here. She is a beauty! I hope you find a good home for her.