Washingtonians

[TheReidHomestead]

Just a quick note for anyone in the north King or Snohomish County area who is interested in getting their kids involved in 4-H.

Tonight is the My 4-H event at the Livestock Pavillion at Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe at 7:00 pm. This is an Open House basically, for Snohomish County 4-H. There will be representatives from all 4-H projects to share information on the different projects. Not just chickens. If your kids want to do model trains, sewing, food, drama, technology, horses, model horses, lego robots and/or chickens of course, this is the event to come too to find out more about local projects and clubs. Or, if you have an idea for a project, but not sure it even exists, you can come tonight to find out! Don't hesitate to become a volunteer and project leader! This is such a great program for all kids, and it's not just about animals anymore.

We will be there tonight representing poultry. Hope to see some of you there!!!!

 

[RustyHen]

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X2

X3 what kind?

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

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I had to put together a "quick" warmer coop for my seramas. They had been living in a more open A frame style (roof and roost). Used old hay bales I got from a friend, packed them around one of the little "coops" I had bought. They are all nice and toasty...now to teach them to go there instead of the "open" one. They will stay much warmer until I decide their permanent winter coopo. Of course, I may just tie this one up a bit more and make it the winter coop...add a light and I bet they will be good. The BIG coop blocks the North wind, this would probably work nicely. Now.....I have to reinsulate the big coop. A bit of advice...unless every hole is sealed...don't use fiberglass insulation. Mine was totally ruined by mice. It was so infuriating. Won a $50 gift certificate from work for Home Depot...it is going into the "chicken pot" for insulating the coop and sealing it up ..... properly. Start on this this weekend. Anyone want to help.....

come on over.

Anyway, RFF, I do believe Fall is here. BRRRRR!!!!!!

Okay, I have 14 Lav Orp eggs in the incubator, along with 6 serama eggs. My little hen all of a sudden decided to lay some eggs. I am eggcited for one late batch. The seramas were such a hit at the fair.

You're not as high up or windy as we are....but you're pretty brave with those around here!

I tried D'Uccles once (before my coop was fully insulated).....but they did have a 250 watt heat lamp. They didn't fair very well.

You're still incubating?? I have a broody mille fleur cochin hen....she's determined to sit on something so I put a few eggs under her.....

Lav Orps huh?

Yes, I got some eggs from 4-H Mom. She sent me the Lav orps and 1 serama egg to go along with the 5 that my serama all of a sudden decided to lay. I think she (my hen and 4-Hmom) were pretty much at the end of their season. I can hardly wait. Should be exciting. Regarding the seramas - don't ask me why....I will probably have to keep all the babies in the house until next spring - like in a big bird cage (wouldn't the DD love that - right in her room. The serama babies inside all winter.

I am hoping that I can insulate a coop and small pen warm enough for the seramas. I have them backed up against the big coop - this will block the North wind from them. I will put some heat source in their coop as soon as it starts getting really cold. Talking with DH last night and trying to make him understand that they like 80-90 degree weather (or more). The heat at the fair this fall did not even phase them. I may have to knit them socks and ear muffs for winter. I just pray they are okay...I know that DH and DD WILL bring them in the house if it gets too cold.

 

[TheReidHomestead]

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You're not as high up or windy as we are....but you're pretty brave with those around here!

I tried D'Uccles once (before my coop was fully insulated).....but they did have a 250 watt heat lamp. They didn't fair very well.

You're still incubating?? I have a broody mille fleur cochin hen....she's determined to sit on something so I put a few eggs under her.....

Lav Orps huh?

Yes, I got some eggs from 4-H Mom. She sent me the Lav orps and 1 serama egg to go along with the 5 that my serama all of a sudden decided to lay. I think she (my hen and 4-Hmom) were pretty much at the end of their season. I can hardly wait. Should be exciting. Regarding the seramas - don't ask me why....I will probably have to keep all the babies in the house until next spring - like in a big bird cage (wouldn't the DD love that - right in her room. The serama babies inside all winter.

I am hoping that I can insulate a coop and small pen warm enough for the seramas. I have them backed up against the big coop - this will block the North wind from them. I will put some heat source in their coop as soon as it starts getting really cold. Talking with DH last night and trying to make him understand that they like 80-90 degree weather (or more). The heat at the fair this fall did not even phase them. I may have to knit them socks and ear muffs for winter. I just pray they are okay...I know that DH and DD WILL bring them in the house if it gets too cold.

I think you got my last Serama egg for the year! They haven't laid anymore since that one. I think ours are going to be in the basement for the winter, at least through our cold spells. It doesn't get nearly as cold here as over there, but that's my plan for when it gets below freezing. And I think a hay bale coop will work great for them if you don't do anything else! Put one or two of those clear corrugated panels on for the roof and it will be nice and cozy inside!

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

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Yes, I got some eggs from 4-H Mom. She sent me the Lav orps and 1 serama egg to go along with the 5 that my serama all of a sudden decided to lay. I think she (my hen and 4-Hmom) were pretty much at the end of their season. I can hardly wait. Should be exciting. Regarding the seramas - don't ask me why....I will probably have to keep all the babies in the house until next spring - like in a big bird cage (wouldn't the DD love that - right in her room. The serama babies inside all winter.

I am hoping that I can insulate a coop and small pen warm enough for the seramas. I have them backed up against the big coop - this will block the North wind from them. I will put some heat source in their coop as soon as it starts getting really cold. Talking with DH last night and trying to make him understand that they like 80-90 degree weather (or more). The heat at the fair this fall did not even phase them. I may have to knit them socks and ear muffs for winter. I just pray they are okay...I know that DH and DD WILL bring them in the house if it gets too cold.

I think you got my last Serama egg for the year! They haven't laid anymore since that one. I think ours are going to be in the basement for the winter, at least through our cold spells. It doesn't get nearly as cold here as over there, but that's my plan for when it gets below freezing. And I think a hay bale coop will work great for them if you don't do anything else! Put one or two of those clear corrugated panels on for the roof and it will be nice and cozy inside!

Actually that is a really good idea. I have a big cat cage that when it gets really-really cold...they could all just go into it in the basement. I will have to set up the cage. That would be good for those below freezing nights. What to do in future if we get a few more than 4 or 5 birds though.

 

[RustyHen]

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Wow! it's like watching a kalidascope(sp)! very interesting

 

[Stumpfarmer]

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Love the (lemon?) blue one with her dark pompador especially well.

 

[Mia_]

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I have a couple of farm boys I call when I need help like that.

One of them regularly picks me up and carries me around (dancing). The other one is bigger. Maybe that comes from baling 12-14,000 small square bales of hay this summer.

Anyway, I am waiting for a response, to see if they will chop it up for you.

 

[Chickielady]

Here is the sad sad end to one of the pumpkins getting cut off the vine.......

off to the Vet's office to be weighed.......
and here is 2 pics of those cable cutters we use to dispatch birds...they come bigger & smaller than these here, and are very sharp!

Hope this helps & I gotta go!
Later guys!

Edited to add: Illia, didn't I send you some of these seeds?

 

[Stumpfarmer]

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I have a couple of farm boys I call when I need help like that.

One of them regularly picks me up and carries me around (dancing). The other one is bigger. Maybe that comes from baling 12-14,000 small square bales of hay this summer.

Anyway, I am waiting for a response, to see if they will chop it up for you.

Nah, it's just a matter of someone in the (logger, construction worker) family getting time to do it. I wouldn't want anyone who I don't know to take this on; if it's not a family member it's going to be someone with their own insurance, because this is a dangerous thing to take on.

Thanks for the offer, but I have plenty of expertise to draw on in my gene pool.