Washingtonians

[flyingmonkeypoop]

Grr, I dislike working at a petstore that gets chickens, LOL. Today we had a pair of cuckoo silkies, a sexlink cockerel, 10 mixed chicks, a sebrite, and a dutch that all came from one person. I was kinda tempted but not enough. Then a regular customer called with terrible news, a group of feral dogs got into her coop and killed 17 of her pullets, a cockerel, and the 2 ducks she had. The only things that made it were two pullets, a naked neck and a blue cochin. She wanted to know if the store would take them so I told her yes, then I bought them right away.
So now I am the proud owner of 2 awesome pullets. I dont have anywhere for them except the duck kennel/house so thats where they will stay. It was an impulse buy, I am not set up really for chickens, I have a 4' fence with pickets that are easy to get through and no coop, the ducks just go into the kennel in the garage at night so I am hoping the hens will do the same. I need to make a pen for them or something and just hope they will follow the ducks in at night, if not I dont know what to do because we have a coon still in the area (I saw his prints in the snow yesterday). I have chicken wire but we have snow so I dunno.

 

[weaveagarden]

How about a makeshift one in the garage for the week or so. I make panels out of 1X3 firing strips (home depot $1 for 8ft) and 1 inch pvc mesh cloth (homedepot - $10 for 42"X25ft) For about $15, some staples and about an hour or two, you could build a cage that would work for a little while until you have time to do a better job.

I have also done the Walmart 5 foot wading pool and the above mentioned mesh and made a cage for the extra room.... Just an idea if no garage.

Don't forget the Stall Dry for litter to keep the odors down until an outdoor fix is ready.

 

[FosteRoo]

Well... Looks like we're all over "The Other Washington." I'm in outer Sequim, just east of Port Angeles, and across the strait from Victoria, BC. Anyone else on the Olympic Peninsula? Just caught the bug and built a coop almost all from materials leftover from a new sunroom, then found someone selling 5 layers (two RI Reds and three Golden sex-links, in their prime). We've got storms moving in from the Pacific, so I'll soon know how sturdy the coop is! The road sign in my avatar isn't about me, but has a fun story that I'll share some time. Anyone in WA using any kind of heat for their flock?

 

[herbandteas]

Quote:
I have read that book and loved it! We spend a lot of time out that way so we will have to meet up sometime when my DH is out by salt creek kayak surfing. It's about 1 hour and a half to get to Sequim maybe a bit more.

I have 2 silkies and 2 bantam cochens in one coop. 1 easter egg layer and 2 white rocks in the other coop.

 

[weaveagarden]

FosteRoo

I lived in PA a million years ago for about a year. I have lived within a 100 miles or so of just about everywhere in Washington state at one time or another in my life, as well as Western Oregon too. Now I am on the other end of the Penninsula Loop in Hoquiam.

Let us know how the coop does tomorrow.

 

[Nyrial]

Quote:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mat/1466341548.html

Ad text:

Rail Road ties for $10.99 each.
You can call me for more info at 360-793-2682


I don't know if it's reasonable or not, I've never bought them...

 

[KMHunter]

I talked to the "resident chicken expert" at the local feed store about how she got through last winter. She said she only added heat during the deep freeze we had. Other than that the chickens seem to do just fine. Mine are doing great right now, we will have to see how cold it gets this winter. I have a min/max thermometer in the coop so I can see how cold or how warm it gets in there.

 

[RonB]

KMHunter
Some of us take after our chickens, NOT the sharpest tool in the shed! I mean when ya talk to chickens all day what do ya expect??
The chicken expert at the local feed store???? ya mean De Youngs??
Its going to be hard if I have to heat my coop! I'll have to heat the whole barn!

Question for anybody that might have an answer! My nest box's are 2 ft. off the floor. If I shine a heat lamp under it do you think my chickens will sleep on the floor or will still stay on the roost and FREZZE ????

 

[justbugged]

FosteRoo Welcome to the Washington State thread.
The group in Washington has been planning a potluck get together, sometime in February. You and your family would be welcome also. Read back over the last 10 or 20 pages or so and you will understand what is being planned.

As for heat in the coup in the past we have used a heat lamp in the coup only when it gets below freezing and stays that way, during the days. Ironimagery mention the use of a dimmer switch in line for the heat lamp. I think I am going to try that next. The really cold; usually is for only 2 or 3 weeks a year anyway. The breeds that you have are fairly cold hardy. I have had chickens off and on for many years, and I have never lost any to cold. Chicks are another story. They need a lot more care and heat. I need to ask my sister what she uses for extra heat. She has been keeping chickens in the City of Seattle for over 25 years now. DH mentioned that it's more important to keep the cold air drafts down than to add heat. The birds produce a lot of heat themselves. I think that is one of the reasons to keep a larger flock. (At least that's what I tell myself

) and only speaking as one, that does not know the recipe for small.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
I think I may know who has a drawing and foto's of that dimmer set up if anyone is interested.