Washingtonians

[KMHunter]

Quote: Thanks! Just need to finish putting pavers in front of the gate. It gets really muddy in the winter and spring with all the rain.

 

[Chubby Chicken]

Really? Bummer!!!

So, I'm planning to build a separate house and run for them. I don't want them mixed in with my LF. I was thinking approx 4x8 for the covered run... and 4x2 for the house (total land space 4x10). Too small for 3? Or OK? Man, I'm bummed they can't free-range. I was counting on that to give them more space.

Can some live in the garage in a brooder for a while until we know they are boys or girls? I was thinking about setting up a rotation... only 3 outside in view of the neighbors at a time. For all they would know, we'd only have 3 LF and 3 silkies (even though we'd really have 3 LF and 6 silkies). I know.... tsk. tsk. tsk. Is that doable - or is it flat out a very bad idea? I was thinking if we started with 6 silkies, we might be lucky and end up with 3 pullets out of the bunch.

Call zoning. They told me that I could have lots of chickens under I think it was 18 weeks, so that you can have meat birds along with your layers, and have time to grow out your chicks, to see if they are roosters, so you don't end up replacing a layer with a roo. If you know the law, your neighbor can't bully you You could also consider sexed chicks. Someone sexes bantams, is it Meyers? I know it's through My Pet Chicken, but I believe they are drop shippers. Why can't you freerange? Up here it's something like no more than 1000 sq ft free range are, 15 feet from the neighbors.

I feel so lucky that my neighbors are worried that my chickens will be eaten by their dogs, and that is their only care.

 

[Chubby Chicken]

I forgot to add, listen carefully to zoning, because I called, and my zoning person had to be taught fractions over the phone. They thought that 1/2 acre was more than .8 acres.

If I have eight pieces of pie, how many chickens can I fit on that pie? Literally!

 

[Chubby Chicken]

Ideal Poultry will cut the beaks off your chicks for a small fee, GROSS! Beak off and straight to the battery.

Which leads me to my question of

If you had to, which of the major hatcheries would you choose? I have just read too many horror stories. I am looking to fulfill the chicken needs of my extended family. They always want the eggs, so I m going to set them up with chickens, so I don't have to drive to DES MOINES. I am getting at least 20 EEs.

I have 8 hens, and am always out of eggs.

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

Ideal Poultry will cut the beaks off your chicks for a small fee, GROSS! Beak off and straight to the battery.

Which leads me to my question of

If you had to, which of the major hatcheries would you choose? I have just read too many horror stories. I am looking to fulfill the chicken needs of my extended family. They always want the eggs, so I m going to set them up with chickens, so I don't have to drive to DES MOINES. I am getting at least 20 EEs.

I have 8 hens, and am always out of eggs.

I have lots of eggs from swaps and can get you some chicks without having to go to a hatchery. Much as I'd like to, I can't keep 'em all

There is also a farm in Port Orchard that has several breeds in an attempt to be a local, reputable hatchery alternative.

 

[SadieSue]

Here are pics of my new silkie pen.

Yes, there is grass on the left hand side. Spoiled rotten chickens! The door to the run is big enough for me to take the tractor out if and when needed. 3 of the older babies are napping in the middle, underneathe the tractor if you look closely.

And a whole lot of babies(silkies & favs) trying watermelon for the first time. They loved it!

Just thought I would share.

ETA- there will be a cover over the run to keep them dry. Don't need it yet.

Very nice Silkie run! You're a pretty nice chicken Mom to even include grass for them inside the run. The chicks are looking good. Love those Salmon Faverolles... One of my very favorite breeds. Especially if they're Cloverleaf Faverolles!

 

[Totalcolour]

. . .I am looking to fulfill the chicken needs of my extended family. They always want the eggs, so I m going to set them up with chickens, so I don't have to drive to DES MOINES. I am getting at least 20 EEs.

I have 8 hens, and am always out of eggs.

I am setting 18 eggs today, Barenvelders, lay a really nice dark brown egg. If you want to wait I will let you have some. Plus, I take back roos! Also may be setting some EE's from mine (got to check the fertility of the cockerel first).

 

[Totalcolour]

Today I saw something totally unexpected.

I happened to look out of the window, and there was a crow, boldly eating food from the left hand food court (next to the coop). I opened the door to yell, and as I opened the door, Duncan (my 18 week old cockerel) looked up (He was on the right side of the coop). The minute he saw the crow, he was after him, with murder and rage in his hackle feathers. Unfortunately, Duncan can't fly very well and the crow took off.

If I had ever once considered culling him, I'm not now if he continues to go after predators. The crows also eat the baby chicks and ducklings. So Duncan is my new hero

 

[RainyDayChicken]

Hi will you please tell me the name of the farm in port orchard. I live there and need some chicks, this sounds easier and safer than ordering chicks.

 

[ReiMiraa]

Ok where is a good meeting place for anyone interested in cherries?

I plan to leave home tomorrow around 11am. I should be in seattle around 1pm. The destination i am going to is a place right after the I-90 bridge crosses the lake into seattle.


Rainiers are $3.95 per pound
Bings are $2.95 per pound.
We have fresh bi-colored corn from yakima. they are 2 for $1
A new variety of apricot. Sweet Juliette are $1.79 pound or $15.95 for a 10 pound box.
Pm me your cell number and I can text you pictures (i will get to texting photos later today, i have been busy)

I need to know how many pounds of what you would like.
People interested in me bringing cherries:
FlyRobinFly

LakeBird
Zgoatlady


No one wants chicks? Icelandic, Light Sussex (SQ) and BLRW?