Washingtonians

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote:
You fish upper or lower? My favorite place to fish.
I have fished lower now more. Much better luck in a boat then shore. Fish there taste great.
How was the water level?

There is a great road that takes you high above the lower lake. it's a bit scary if someone else comes down it. LOL!
But beautiful views from top..............

http://www.atthegateministries.org/files/QuickSiteImages/gregnewpicture.jpg

Yep, been up this road. We actually fished both lakes. Not really any luck on the lower lake, but did get some great photos of a big buck on the bank on the back-side of the lake, over by the dam.

We caught more fish in the upper lake, all bass. We pretty much catch and release. Every now and then we will keep a trout if we get one, but we are big time bass fishers...love that fight.

We have a new (new to us) 18' pontoon boat that made it really nice to get into some of the "tighter" spots on both lakes...we had a blast.

Both lakes/reservoirs are actually looking pretty good. This is the most water that they have had in them for some 10 years. Conconully is only some 20 minutes from where we live, but we absolutely love it there.

 

[cheryl98117]

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I planted 5 squash plants of different varieties this year in my garden from seed. They grown large and healthy, but not a single one has set ANY fruit. I've only been gardening in western WA for 7 years, but this is the first time this has happened to me. I'm mystified as well. Not enough pollinators was the only reason I've been given when I asked a master gardener. I've seen a few bees because I plant lots of flowers they love, but I haven't seen a lot. Apparently you can pollinate by hand, but it's a little too late for that now . . .

I have fruit on the vines, but they are SO small, just barely starting to produce. This season has been so odd. I only have one pumpkin that is bigger than a golf ball. I guess it also doesn't help that I have some unknown critter that comes through and nips off the broad leafs on the vines. I can't figure it out for the life of me, and my husband seems to think that my chickens have eaten the big leafs. lol There is NO way that the chickens ate those leafs without leaving some marks around the plants. lol

I guess I will just be happy that I have the one almost decent pumpkin out of them all, and try again next year.

 

[TrystInn]

Iheart,

It's essentially a balancing act between the safety and health of the chickens leveled against the probable danger. There are daytime predators that may decide to go after your chickens, there are wild birds that can transmit diseases to your chickens, there are possibilities the chickens can get loose - which is a whole host of dangers from dogs, to cars, to irritated neighbors, animal control folks, etc.

If you have a securely fenced yard, with a reasonable expectation of protection from predators (shelters, raptor wire, etc.), know what plants are on your property, etc. then you can hedge your bets.

 

[cheryl98117]

Iheartchicks<3

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is free ranging dangerous?

It can be. For those of us who free range our flocks, we are running the risk of predators gaining access to them. But we are also letting our chickens get the benefit of eating a more natural diet. Its definatly safer to keep them in a coop and run. I just can't stand to see them locked in ALL the time. My entire flock has been outside, and free ranged in my fenced back yard, since they were 4 weeks old. Whether or not you decide to free range your chickens is totally up to you. Just be prepared for anything that could/might/will happen, be it from birds, dogs, coons, bear, coyotte... It doesnt matter where you live, there are predators everywhere.​

 

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

i dont have a fenced in yard. i have 5 acres! lol. i have fences put country white type that they could easily get under... the only predator is my cat who would be kept in.. they would go out for like 3 hours a day... they could run under stuff for hawks right?

 

[Imp]

Iheartchicks<3

:

i dont have a fenced in yard. i have 5 acres! lol. i have fences put country white type that they could easily get under... the only predator is my cat who would be kept in.. they would go out for like 3 hours a day... they could run under stuff for hawks right?

If my chickens see a large bird they completely disappear, like totally disappear. Disguise the coop, pick up their poop, grab the cats and are just gone. The silence is eerie. Usually under the deck. They must have xray vision and can see through the deck, because they don't come back out till the raptors are long gone. I have lots of shrubs as well.
It's no certainty that they will be safe, but places to hide are a good thing.

It would be a slim chance that your cat would be a danger to full grown LF. My hens run ferals,strays, and pet cats off their food. It is occasionally posted that a cat attacked, but rare that it was witnessed.

Russ​

 

[KMHunter]

Iheartchicks<3

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my cat almost pounced on my 4 month old!! should i do it or no?

My cat was going to sniff at and probably more to my sexlink. My hen looked at my cat for a moment, the pecked him on the head really hard. My cat won't go near them now!

 

[NurseELB]

I have a very nasty 2 year old black sex-linked hen that has been terrorizing my 3 new babies. The babies are almost 4 months old now, and get along fine with our other BSL hen. We had to isolate her and were considering freezer camp.
She just got a stay of execution.
I found an add on Craig's list with a "sweet little barred rock hen" that was getting beaten up by her flock. Her owners were looking to re-home her for a small fee, so I suggested an even trade instead.
They called me tonight, the trade takes place tomorrow.

I hope this works, I really need some peace in my little flock!

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

Quote:
It can be. For those of us who free range our flocks, we are running the risk of predators gaining access to them. But we are also letting our chickens get the benefit of eating a more natural diet. Its definatly safer to keep them in a coop and run. I just can't stand to see them locked in ALL the time. My entire flock has been outside, and free ranged in my fenced back yard, since they were 4 weeks old. Whether or not you decide to free range your chickens is totally up to you. Just be prepared for anything that could/might/will happen, be it from birds, dogs, coons, bear, coyotte... It doesnt matter where you live, there are predators everywhere.

x2. We lost one... Very sad. But still want a fulfilled life, which in our minds mean access to the "safe" version of the world around them.

 

[hallerlake]

Iheartchicks<3

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is free ranging dangerous?

I let mine free range until three weeks ago. I had to rescue one of them from a bald eagle that was stripping off her feathers. I live IN the city of Seattle mind you. Free ranging is dangerous. If you free range, you WILL lose some. As Cheryl said, you have to balance the desire to keep them safe and the desire to let them live the free life. At this point, I let them free range for an hour or so every day when I can be out there with them. Some people feel life in a cage is no life at all, and let theirs free range. Some people keep theirs in a run all the time. You have to decide what you can live with.​