Washingtonians

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
Everyone has their own way of course but.....

My roosts are 2x4's and 1x6's in two different coops.
Have you ever placed your hand below a chicken in 30 degree weather when it's sitting down on the roost?
Try it. I think you will be amazed at the heat even after holding them a bit.

Yes I know. I have 13 all together and they generate a lot of heat when they are scrunched together. I haven't had heat in there for a few days as the light burnt out again. We still have frozen water in the water dishes right now.... So I think it was in the 20's over night. Probably not much warmer in the coop. They are still laying in the coop. But I thought since she is trying to stimulate laying, she might want to keep it warmer to fool their little bodies into thinking it was spring.

Are your 1X6's flat or skinny roosts? Some of mine fall off of their 2" roosts at times.... Might be smart for me to go with a wider one or two so even the gravity challenged girls could have a firm hold.

Thanks for the idea.... I think I will do that.

 

[Illia]

Yeesh, supposed to go down to 24 F on Sunday and Monday night, and as high as 31 F during the day. I had better get a working peice of clothing for my turken before then. . . I tried a couple things today, but she really doesn't like them if I am not watching her. If I am, she is just fine, and I think it is warming her up nice. Otherwise, she eventually pulled it off for the second time now, so. . . I'm trying for a new pattern or something.

 

[weaveagarden]

Have you looked at the hen savers. Maybe it will have to be something that goes around her whole body, and is not knit on the body part so she can't slip out of it. Actually you could probably market them if you get the bugs worked out. Lots of cold little turkens out their, and also slow feathering cockerels.

 

[weaveagarden]

As of today, I have 2 olive colored egg layers. Angie, wheaten EE, has layed an even darker colored egg. She kept trying to kick my friend out of the coop while he was working on insulating the ceiling.

So the coop is warmer and should help to keep Pinky quieter. For the first time tonight I will be able to lock them in tight. We will see how it works. I still have the one wall (the door wall) to insulate. We need to remake the door to a 2 hinged doors full opening type. So the insulation will be part of that process. But it is already warmer in there, and the noise is absorbed very well, so I am hopeful that the crowing will sound much quieter.

KMHunter: I am sorry you had to deal with the little ones demise. That wasn't part of the deal... So sorry. I am glad that it didn't go on for a while. Better to just happen and not suffer as much. Sounds like the others are a heartier lot. Glad to hear that it looks like their are girlies in the mix. Thanks is not enough for what you are doing. It is very much appreciated.

Thanks Mike also. Free is a very good price, and I am happy to post a picture for you, and will also try to get some info for you about the white gene that you have spoken about. ( By this I mean that I will keep you posted as they develop). It will be interesting to see what the eggs look like in the future. Of course I am hoping for very dark, we shall see. Can you describe what a barnevelders egg looks like compared to a Maren egg. Is it redder, or just lighter?

And in advance, thank you Kittymomma. Let me know if there are any hitches in your plans so I can see about getting another ride for them south.

If this is a duplicate post from yesterday, I guess it doesn't matter as I can never say thank you enough to all you fine people.

Kim, if you are able and want to, I wouldn't mind seeing what the girls look like. I know Mike would appreciate it if everyone could get a look at his fine hatching work.

edited for clarification and atrocious spelling!

 

[Greg Richardson]

Are your 1X6's flat or skinny roosts?

Flat.

Another factor about heat is if the coop is warm they aren't going to be prepared for the elements in the run or running free.


cockockookaa..............

Some Chickens adapt well to changes not missing a beat laying and others freak out.
I'd just make sure they have around 14 hours of light that is on a timer so it's consistent then give it some time.

I raise discus fish and they are the same way. Some changes they take weeks if not months to get back to normal.​

 

[justbugged]

Quote:
I really want to see some pictures of your Turkens in their clothes. I would love to see the progression of items that you come up with. The idea of clothing for chickens just tickles my funny bone to no end. She sound like a very smart chicken, by going behind your back to take things off.

 

[weaveagarden]

I have had quite a day. I have been mis-speaking to people all day long. I say something I think is relatively benign and all of a sudden people react badly. I am afraid the same may have happened on here today........ Or am I just being overly worrysome. Ah well. If sorry is needed, I am, truly.

I had told someone that I would try to post a pic of Oddrey my odd ball EE. She is laced for one thing, and also has no muff or beard. Also her feathers aren't as soft as most chickens. Her's are a bit like those on my Dark Cornish, Mya.

Anyway. She is my pride and joy.... Not that I had anything to do with her looks, as she was a McMurray Hatchery chick. I thought she was my Buff Orpington chick, until she started developing a darker top half. She is currently laying about 3-4 avacado/light olive colored eggs. Anyway, here she is (click to enlarge):

 

[KMHunter]

Weaveagarden, I was just thinking that I should take some pics so you could see what your babies look like. I will try to do that tomorrow.

On another note, I went to check out the Maltby club, and for the number of hours we want it we will have to rent it for 24 hours. That is $450. Ron is going to check out another place around here, but if anyone has any other ideas, or we just want to try to get the money together and do it, I will do whatever. What do you all think? Suggestions? If this looks cost prohibitive, we can always wait until late spring early summer and do it at a park.

 

[weaveagarden]

I don't really want to wait if we can find a way.... But then I can't have it at my house, so it really is up to the masses of us I guess.

For me that is a borderline amount. If we are really at least 60 or so, $10 each will give us even a bit more to cover those expenses that always creep up when you don't plan for them. If we do that, I think we should advertise in the Chickenstock, etc thread because I know that not all of the Washingtonians visit here, or have during our planning stages.

How many forum members have you listed at this point Kim. Seems like it should be about 20-25 who said they would come.... Then with some of them having a Plus 1 and some having kids who would come. Well, maybe we have enough.

I have a suggestion for the donation amount also. For kids we could suggest $1 per year of age. You will have my donation as soon as you ask for it, and if you decide you need it, I can send a bit more. And it will not be asked for back if I don't come. I have to state again, that I think any of us who send in money to Kim should figure that it is a donation to get this thing off of the ground. If we decide later not to attend, we know that the money is spent and Kim is not a bank, so it is an investment into the success of a future party we might attend. The first one has to come from somewhere.

I also think that those attending could donate toward future parties also. Just a few dollars, so that the next planner can have a deposit ready to plop down at the right time.

I would say, keep looking a little bit. But lets set a date to decide by. Since we are opting for non-alcoholic, a church seems like a good idea. They usually have some areas that would handle 100 or so.

Everyone chime in here. We had some great ideas brewing last time we discussed this online. How do you all feel about committing to come by sending in non-refundable donations now. That is likely what will make the difference between the Maltby Club and someplace else Or having it or not.


Kim. Thanks, I would love the pics. When you have time.

 

[Nyrial]

So anyone here dealt with a cocky cockerel? My reddish colored roo (I want to say RIR, but I have no idea to be honest) took a swipe at me today and gave me a nasty blood blister on my hand. I chased him down and carried him around by his legs for about 5 minutes.. He disappeared into the coop real fast after that.. but not without giving me nasty puffed up neck looks.

I already don't allow the girls in the bachelor pad, and he doesn't scare me, I'm not sure how long I should wait for him to settle down.. He's just barely 5 months, so I can't imagine he's sure how to handle the hormones yet. Ironically, he's not even my top roo, THAT one steers clear of me.

Not sure what to do other than beat his tailfeathers every time he tries something.. I don't put up with that from animals. How many "learning experiences" should I give him before sending him to freezer camp?