Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[itsren]

I C U

Oh heavens, not you, too. Yesterday at lunch all I heard out of my kids was "Mom - spell ICUP."

 

[itsren]

Still needs a little stretching in this pic. It wasn't finished.

Aaaah! I LOVE it. I'd say I want it, but it'd probably cover my entire back yard.

Can you imagine the fun the chickens would have in that thing?

 

[itsren]

Quote:
I'm guessing it's the wrong time of year to transplant trees, right? I have an unwanted Golden Rain Tree (I might actually have 2) and an unwanted Red bud in my "tree nursery". I grew them from starts. They are 3 years old. I'd hate to dig them up and have them die, though. I also have an unwanted evergreen that the biggest kid planted... darn thing is in a pot and huge. I'm trying to explain to the oldest DS that we have to let it go somewhere that it can be planted before it dies in the pot. I don't want it in my yard. It's "his" tree and he doesn't want to let it go. The thing is taller than my fence.

The Golden Rain Tree(s) and Red bud came from the Arbor Day foundation.

In the spring, if anyone is interested in any of those, let me know.

 

[VelvettFog]

Hey -- for the Chehalis show -- is there a specific Hotel ya'll are staying at? DW wants to drive over on Friday

 

[itsren]

This morning I was sitting outside and enjoying my cup-o-coffee and watching my big girls play in the yard. I noticed Caunnie has a 3 row pea comb. So, excitedly, I came back in here hoping her comb looked like Blackie's (also an EE) when she was 3 weeks old. I had hope! And my hopes were dashed.

Caunnie - somewhere around the 3-week age.

 

[itsren]

Question for you all... when my big girls were 3 weeks old, they started having play dates outside in the portable greenhouse. Do you think it would be too cold to do that with the little boys right now? My big girls were spring babies - and the greenhouse was kept near the temp of the brooder. In fact, there were days it was a little warmer than the brooder. I haven't checked the temperature on the greenhouse lately, but I'm sure it's not as warm as the brooder this time of year.

Would they get sick if I tried? Or is that a bad idea?

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Okay, I keep worrying that I have more cockerels lurking in my brooder. Can you all help me figure it out?

This is Jerk, a SLW that is growing like a weed. Dominant bird, but not very aggressive. The other SLW, Tandoori, is smaller but has and identical comb and is pushier than Jerk. Tandoori was forcing another chick to get down off the feeders last night by grabbing a toe or feathers.



Next one I'm concerned about is Tikka, one of the spotted Sussex. Tikka's comb is longer than Masala's comb. Here is Tikka. Sorry for the poor shot, she was wigged out by the camera and wouldn't let me get close:



And here is Masala's comb:


Last one is one of the GLW. Both of these chicks are really lagging behind the SLW. They are only one week younger, but they are tiny in comparison to Jerk! I started with 4 and 2 have died (no visible reason). This one started showing growth this week, and then suddenly last night it was jumping on all the other birds and taking on Tandoori, breast to breast. Its comb is shaped differently than all the other Wyandottes - very flat and wide. It's not very friendly either, but I haven't been making much effort to tame it since it looked like all 4 GLW might die.



Anyone have an opinion one way or the other on these? I'd really appreciate the help!

Jennifer

Both of the SLRWs have single combs (which happens, alas, as my SSHs showed me) but they're most easily sexed by looking at their body feathers, and probably not until they're older. Wyandottes take a LONG time to mature. The BLRWs in this picture are twelve weeks:

 

[VelvettFog]

Question for you all... when my big girls were 3 weeks old, they started having play dates outside in the portable greenhouse. Do you think it would be too cold to do that with the little boys right now? My big girls were spring babies - and the greenhouse was kept near the temp of the brooder. In fact, there were days it was a little warmer than the brooder. I haven't checked the temperature on the greenhouse lately, but I'm sure it's not as warm as the brooder this time of year.

Would they get sick if I tried? Or is that a bad idea?

Ren,

Can you set up something so that if they get cold they can move to a heat source? Or - supervise them. If they seem to huddle together without moving around, they are probably cold.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Most of my EEs have quit laying to molt now. I've taken note of those who laid while molting. The best girl for that was the half silkie, half EE hen who molted end of August, slowing down a little to get it done, then resumed laying as normal. 

I'm averaging about 3 blue/green eggs a day from 12 girls. I know a few of them are not laying at all. Combs are all shrunk and pale. With how naked they look, I don't blame them. Thought someone actually plucked Pinky the other day, until I caught her. All full of pinfeathers. I put her down and she shook out a quarter of the feathers she had left. 

On the plus side, the silkies decided to start laying again a couple days ago. That gives us eggs to eat since I don't sell the little ones. The rocks have been doing good, as has the one brahma hen, so we've had 4-5 brown eggs a day. 

You got me thinking about the molting issue so I went out and checked my EE.  She was dropping some feathers a few weeks ago, but I didn't see any pin feathers today.  I've never her seen drop very many feathers!  And the wing we trimmed several months ago still looks the same. 

Some birds molt a few feathers at a time so it never shows. On the other hand, some birds look like they've been plucked. It's an individual thing. I've got sisters doing both.

http://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/managing-the-molt/

Some good information about molting.

Next year I'm going to remember to hold back a couple of dozen eggs to feed during moult.

One question I've had which this article answers: nobody's particularly wanted lettuce or oatmeal for the past couple of weeks. Seems that chickens know what they need.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

My sixteen old daugther at the time getting a bow and arrow shooting lesson on the grounds. May 2003

Mumsy. Have you ever been here? I go by this place often but never have stopped in.
Now that I went to their web page looks like I should.
Had no idea from driving by the entrance that is all back there.
http://www.camlann.org/

OMG! YES! That was one of the first places I did the whole reenacting thing with my daughters! It is fabulous! A true hidden treasure in our region. It is privately owned and jaw dropping beautiful on the grounds. If you want the drop dead experience go on May spring opening and have a meal in the Boarhead Inn. You will not be dissapointed. You don't need a period appropiate costume but if you do dress up it makes the experience a lot more fun.



My daughters upon entering the Boars head Inn. May 2003

A medieval sheep shearing on the faire grounds. May 2003

I am a seamstress and make all period costumes for myself and family.

My hired girl works in a vendor booth every year (she's got, like, five regular jobs). Your dauthers look very in-period!