Washingtonians

[spectrejazz]

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From what I have researched and been told, the lights should be on only during the early evening and morning, to supplement the suns rays and extend the day to 12-14 hours. So for Seattle it would probably be from 6:30am-9am and 3:30pm-7:30pm in the winter. I will try it this coming winter and report the results. Anyone else have an opinion on the lights? I know some are vehemently opposed, but I have heard many well-formed positive opinions, as well.

 

[spectrejazz]

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Check out this one I built for a friend last year. It has a green roof and performed well over the winter. I built the run and attached a cheaply-made coop that they bought off the internet and couldn't bring themselves to discard. I made this green chickens poster for a sustainable event.

 

[TheReidHomestead]

spectrejazz, very cute coop and run!!!

We also use lights in our coops from end of October on. We just took them out last weekend although we could have probably done it a bit sooner. We have them on timer's from 5:30-8:30am and from 4:00-8:00pm in the evening.

We have a 2nd pip!

AND even more exciting, our Muscovy lady finally went broody!!!

We've been letting her keep her eggs and she had 10 in there 3 days ago. DD just went out and said she was all fluffed up on the nest and was not happy when DD looked in on her!! I gather she is 2 days into it since we haven't let them free range the last 2 days. 3 days ago we did and she was out and about. This is our first time with ducks, as we adopted this pair last fall. This is their 2nd laying season. They had 2 successful clutches last spring with 100% fertility. I guess we'll find out how it all works come early May! Anyone want some scovy babies?!? I'm not sure what variety they are, maybe someone here can tell me. Let me find a pic and post it. The drake is mostly white with a bit of black here and there and she is white and brown.

Tamara

PS: Here's some pics. So what variety or are they mixed, would these be? Anybody know? Thanks!

 

[RonB]

spectrejazz & WA4-mom
we must be reading the SAME book

We agree on the Morning hours. and yes I read the same about PM hours too. The reason I DIDN'T use a light in the evening was because I ALSO READ that chickens don't see well in the dark

and that it wasn't a good idea to have your chickens running around in the coop say around 7 or 8 pm and then have it all of a sudden go DARK when the light goes out. I had a light on next to the coop and if the chickens were on the floor before the light went out they were STILL on the floor two hours after the light went off. guess they couldn't find the roost.

So with the light on just in the AM hours, I was getting 6-8 eggs a day out of a possible 8. I got the Same results after I turned the light off

 

[Illia]

Going to Chimacum on Saturday to pick up some Wheaten & Blue Wheaten Marans pullets.

- And a Black Copper. I'm low on W/BW, so I'm in big need for more, as I LOVE Wheaten Marans.

In the mean time, my current 3 Wheaties don't even have the right feathering yet to be sexed, but I know I've got a boy already. . He started his "chook chook" today.

 

[Sparkelrose]

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I would be interested in some babies, we had 2 last year and we loved them! But coyotes got them in the winter

, So I will be building a new coop for them this month and hopefully it won't happen again. The ones we had kept getting out of the fenced area so I will be putting a top over the fence as well. Let me know when you have some babies!

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Let me know when you have some babies!

I will!!! I'm guessing first week in May sometime. I just went out to check on the little momma myself. She has plucked out a bunch of her feathers and is flat as I have ever seen her! She makes these cute little warning squeaks when we open the door to see her. Dad is sitting outside the coop standing guard. Any tips or advice for this little project would be much appreciated!!! I'm wondering if I need to keep Mr. Duck out of the coop? Away from the babies?

Tamara​

 

[LaSombra]

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Wow, that's fun. If you are along the I-5 corridor, I would love to get some fertile eggs from you some day

Looking forward to seeing a picture of your chicks!

I'm pretty close to I-5. about 20 miles east of it, but could always meet you in Centralia/Chehalis or something. These eggs aren't from my own stock. I bought fertile eggs, but in a few months...

 

[Zgoatlady]

ChristinaMae
Oh if you want goats Im the place to go, give you a GREAT price on wethers..

spectrejazz
I have some nice BCM eggs if your intrested...


Ok so Im getting some Wheaten & Blue Wheaten Marans on Sat too,

2 each and a rooster bet we are getting them from the same person lol

 

[spectrejazz]

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Oh yes, in a month or two! We are busy with this current hatch as a test run. If we get only a couple of birds out of it, then we will probably be looking to find some fertile eggs sooner than later. They lay the chocolate eggs, yes? How is your strain's color? Are those them in your avatar?? Thanks for the offer!