Washingtonians

[TheReidHomestead]

Welcome to all the newbies! Hope everyone can stay comfortable today. It reached 107 out here in Monroe yesterday. The girls and I stuck it out, used the pool alot, but it got old fast. The house reached 90 and that was the pits! Think we will head out to the mall later for a bit of relief.

Our birds seem to be doing ok. Mostly I see the panting in the older ones who go in to roost earlier than the younger ones.

BBS = Blue, Black, Splash, not a breed, just variety's, works for several breeds, mostly seen around here for Orpingtons and Ameracauna's.

 

[Centaurheart]

*crawls back home from work shocked she survived* We survived it! Tomorrow is supposed to be a chilly 100. Thank goodness! That whole 106 at Winlock Highschool by 12:35 was a bit ridiculous.

Gwen - A few thoughts for you. I don't have any kids, but I have witnessed the phenomenon regarding first children (silver spoons, medication when they cough, only the best name brand products, top of the line everything, hospital visits when body temps hit 97 degs)... then the second kid comes along and the parents just make sure they aren't out in the yard eating the dog leavings - handmedowns are perfectly fine, generic everything, and home remedies galore. I think chickens are a lot like this. We want everything perfect, when in reality the toddlers are just as happy playing in bell bottoms out in the mud rather than in oshkosh with designer toys inside germfree!

You're chicks will be fine outside on these warm evenings. They don't have feathers everywhere, and they aren't little adults yet so they still need some heat, but if they can pile together and have some nice warm hay to bed down in, they'll be fine. You truly made me smile with all your fears. You're going to be a great chicken mother. If you think its really too cold, run an extension cord and give them a little heat from a lamp, but I honestly think they will be fine if they aren't in a draft and can pile up in some warm hay.

Yes, there are hawks around - and if you free range full time, you'll get some losses more than likely. You should always cover your run, even if its just with simple bird netting. If you want to let your birds free range, sit out with them or plan for some loss. I'd hate to plan for loss, so when mine are out, I'm out in the yard with them (wifi reaches out there!! yea!!!). Otherwise they are snuggled secure in their coups.

You're cat will be picked on horribly by the adult chickens, and even the teenagers who are full of themselves and out to have something to prove. Feel bad for him

Mine chases my huge tomcat. And if your mouser is thin, you might want to worm him... when they are outdoors and eating mice, they get tapeworms all the time from those silly mice.

Rats. Ick. I agree with Iron. Drown them, don't put poison out. Your cat will be in danger and so will everything else around. I have to check water buckets each and every day in this weather for floating mice. They crawl up, get in, and drown when they can't get out of the smooth sides. I water my horses in those large garden tubs with the rope handles. They don't really even need bait in this weather, just water! So bucket trap like its been suggested, and remove all the other sources of water.

Stay cool everyone... I think we got through the worst of it.

EDIT: Wrote this last night but didn't remember to hit post until this morning! I passed out on the couch in front of the AC *blush*

 

[Greg Richardson]

Seen Hawks mentioned..........

I read on here about using DVD's or CD's to put on top of your run or where ever in your yard to reflect scaring them away. I have seen many hawks fly by but never stay.
Ours free range every day.
We have crows around here that go every where but the near the run where the DVDs and Cd's are.

Not saying this is a for sure thing but so far has worked.

I may go stick some up in the trees out in the yard.

 

[Greg Richardson]

Gwen. No set amount between them just have them spaced out.
Because of my security wire I installed at top and a few feet down I have a natural way to hang them.
With this type of install it is nice as a slight breeze and they reflect even more.

BTW. It took me a lot of time to make that wire at the top stick out but I think it was worth it.
On top it is going different ways on back and front side. Next row down I have it pointing up and down.
I thought that run construction was never going to end but I'm glad I took the time I did.
This extra row makes the fence just over 8 feet tall.

And yes the rebel in me made the coop green and white instead of red. LOL!

 

[chookchick]

We will survive!!!

I think we have turned the corner on this hot spell--it is only 88 on the back deck right now.

Rats--I meant to say bring the food into the coop at night. The best thing you can do is not put out bird feeders or pet food and keep your garbage shut up tight. Also clean up any fallen fruit and vegetables (includes blackberries!). Don't leave out water sources for them (unless you want to drown them). Keep your crawl space vents tightly screened. If they can't find food or shelter, they will go elsewhere. From WSU lecture on vertebrate pests...

BTW--most poisons will probably be available only to licensed pest controllers soon, so if you have a favorite, get it now. Too many problems with misuse and accidental pet poisonings.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

CD's / DVD's work OK and they are easy to get for free. However I have noticed mine that have been out a few months have started to peel so you need to plan to replace them once in a while. I use a combo of the CD's hanging on string and bright orange or pink surveyors ribbon. Has saved my weed patch (intended as garden) from the deer.

 

[crazychickenluver]

Hey all...we finally made it. Its actually cooler here. I also found a solution for putting my chickies back outside in a safe pen. I forgot I had one of those cedar rabbit hutches I bought 2 years ago when my boys wanted to raise rabbits, well the rabbits did not make it through the summer, needless to say I will NEVERown rabbits again! Anyway, so the rabbit hutch is a perfect place to raise the chicks!!! Woohoo, I can let them back outside!!!

Hope everyone else made it through the heat with no problems!!

I wanted to help someone out if anyone is interested. I would have taken the chickens but was told that I have 23 and if I brought anymore home me and the chickens were going to be thrown out I need help for my addiction!!

Anyway here is the thread and the ad...

I Have A Hen And Roo I Need To Find Good Home For
3 Months Old Have All There Vaccines
Free Pm Me For Pic

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=221878


They are silver sebrights so if anyone can help her out that would be great!!!

Catch you all later..

 

[Sammimom]

Hi all,

Seattle Tilth would like to plan an eastside coop tour, they need at least 6 coops to feature, and are specifically interested in Sammamish and Issaquah. The date of interest is Saturday, Sept. 26.

If interested, send an email to Laura at

[email protected]

Let's inspire more "urban" chicken keepers!

Thanks also, Chookchick, for suggesting I put this post here.

 

[cheryl98117]

All birds sold this afternoon. They all went to a good local home just up the road from me.

Yay for happy chicks!

Hello everyone. My sister has asked me to help her sell her flock.

She has three 8 week old cochins, a blue/red roo, a buff, a blue, one 8 week old black something, "we are not sure what this little pullet is." Nine 5 week old pullets, 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte, 4 Brown Leghorns, 2 New Hampshire Reds, and 2 Barred Rocks.

Along with the chicks she also has a small grazing pen, a puppy pen "used for a grazing pen, a 48 foot roll of 2" chicken wire, and a 50' bag of all purpose food.

She is asking $5 per chick.

If anyone is interested you can reach her here on BYC by searching her user name, crystal98110.

She is located in Kingston.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
I have a pair of young breeders for sale...otherwise, I'll have eggs next spring.