Washingtonians

[Zgoatlady]

Ok Im doing a happy dance

My husband came in two nights ago with my (our) first two BCM eggs and than yesterday I went out and found one more...
When he came in to show me I thought something had gone wrong he had a sad look on his face than he smiled and said here!!

So Im a happy girl..

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
I am a newbie, so I am just hazarding a few guesses.... Here goes!

Is it possible that they are just gorging on the nummy greens and have their crops full so it looks like they are all puffed up, and move around more slowly like I do after Thanksgiving dinner. By morning their system processes the food and they look better.

If that is it... Are you providing a source of grit for them. If they had been eating chick starter, and now are on regular food, they may not have enough grit to process the food in as fast.

Maybe they are just not used to the idea that they are going to get to have this stuff everyday yet.

 

[crazychickenluver]

Hi Weaveagarden;

No offense taken, I actually do not have grit around for my hens because I was told not to. We have a lot of sand around so I was told there was no need for it. I went to the feed store today and bought electrolytes for the gals to see if that helps, I have seperated them again with their own food and water. They also recommended I put them back on a 24% feed instead of an all purpose however my little buff still does not look to good but the maran looks better.

 

[weaveagarden]

If given a choice, my Buff will only eat grass. I noticed that she was not gaining weight like so many others. I have put them all on the highest protein I can find because I like to put grass in their coop throughout the day. But now I make sure I see her eat some of the other feed before I add grass in at all.

I sure hope they all start doing better. I wonder if there might be something that they haven't yet learned not to eat that the other chickens found out about in more subtle ways. I always worry about that with mine. I have so much morning glory. But so far they don't seem to be interested.

 

[crazychickenluver]

Well it is with great sadness that I report that my little black cochin did not make it.

Now I only have one black cochin left and she too does not look to well. The only plus thing is that right now she is still eating and drinking so I still have hope for her. THis is really odd tha both my cochins have gotten sick.....The others seem to be doing well and thriving although the cockoo maran that was sick still is puffed up and resembles a vulture while the other cockoo maran looks perfectly fine, however she is very active and eating and drinking with no problem. I really wish I knew what happened to the cochins. With that being said Now I am on the hunt for new ones but will probably wait until spring to get them.

 

[ChristinaMae]

Hi all! I was pointed in your direction from someone in my intro thread.

I live in Gig Harbor, way out in Key Pen, for those familiar with the area. Currently we have 4 BO's and 4 EE's. We've never had chickens before, so we're learning as we go! I'm already planning for next spring (or maybe even sooner, lol.) I really want true Ameraucanas and Lavendar Orpingtons, and I'd love a couple Cuckoo Marans. My 6yo also is wanting to get a goose or two. I'm not sure what I think about that yet, so I told her that she has to save up her own $$ for them, haha.

 

[Greg Richardson]

Saw this on Craigs today. Someone just getting started be a quick no hassle way to do it.
Considering what you are getting price isn't bad.

It amazed me how much it all adds up building a coop and I bought my roofing, siding, used, and some lumber from job sites and still for a 4x8 coop it was lot more then I thought it would be.


http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/grd/1352196156.html

BARN SHAPED SHED - $700 (Snohomish)

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Date: 2009-08-31, 3:33PM PDT
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]

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BARN SHAPED SHEDThis is a terrific shed with a cute shape that could be used for storage, chicken coop, or kids playhouse. We built it and used it for a chicken coop for a short time. This shed is is mobil with removable tongue and tires. Comes with treated lumber to make 7x8 outside chicken area. Extras included: lattice, leveling blocks, entry steps, chicken supplies, and extra siding.

It is 5'2 wide, 7'2 long and 8'8 tall.
The door is 2'8 x 6'8
2 inch rigid insulation
2 by 4 inch construction
3/4 inch plywood floor
30 year comp. roof
wired for light and plug

 

[newchik715]

Well I have to admit- I did not read through all 270 some odd pages. Maybe there were tons of people in the BUrlington area like myself but I did not see you

. I would like very much to have chickens in the spring of '10 and I would like to possibly meet someone in my area and see your set-up, meet your chickens, get advice and find out what kind of a commitment i am really in for. I have wanted to do this for some time and have begun deep research but I would love to talk to a real person and meet some real backyard chickens!

SOme questions I have are concerning cost for the coop, the feed, daily upkeep...does anyone have a ball park monthly figure?

In the PNW how do you protect your hens from the cold and rain and possible snow?

Am I inviting rats and lice onto my property by having chickens?

Do they really smell or if i keep up on the cleaning can they be clean animals?

all i ever hear from people when i tell them i want to do this is how nasty chickens are and how the eggs have to be cleaned and on and on....can i get some real advice from you guys who actually know?

 

[weaveagarden]

Coops can be simple and cheap or made from found items. Or they can run you into the thousands. If cost is a factor, keep it simple, because it can add up.

To answer you question regarding cleaning and bugs etc. You should research Diatomacious earth also called DE and the deep litter method

or DL method here under the coops topic above in the index. A product that is fast becoming my best friend is DryStall also called StallDry, StableDry..etc. It had DE and volcanic clay in it.

In Hoquiam, we get about the same amount of rain as you, but it is a bit warmer usually. I don't have an uninsulated coop yet but hope to as soon as money magically appears. And plan to use a lightbulb as heat this year. If it gets really cold I will improvise something warmer for them. They are in the enclosure (house) and have a run about 3 times the size. I will have mud in the winter, so I plan to lay in a very thick 8" layer of sand (I had a little bit of flooding in that location last year, so I know the coop will be in danger of flooding. I hope that with the drying agent and the sand I can keep odors to a minimum.

Oh by the way. I just started in June. If the city doesn't shut us down to a limit of 4 hens, I plan to have a flock of 18 with 1 rooster. We will see what happens throughout the fall.

Oh, and

 

[newchik715]

thanks for the welcome and the response! I hope to have around six hens or less. I have a shed that would easily be converted into a coop i think...how much do you suppose your chickens run you monthly- with feed and clean up and surprise health issues?