Washingtonians

[L0rraine]

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Hey! You're having a little TOOOO much fun. Those guys are really cute! Are they about duck size or a little bigger?

 

[L0rraine]

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Thank you! What have you been up to these days? How's the duckies doing?

I'm afraid I've had a bad couple of months which is maybe why it's been hard to participate lately. During the horrible wind and rain a few months ago I got stuck off Island until well after dark and something got my BEI. He was in the pen, safe from winged predators, but not locked into the 'safe' house so I'm guessing a raccoon or something got him after dark. Then, during the cold spell, I moved my Silky in with the Runners because it's a bit warmer where they are at. He seemed pretty happy with them (though they weren't overly friendly towards him), but then about a week ago, shortly after I let them all out to free range, he just disappeared. My husband, stepson, and I had been out and about in the yard in the morning and so it really caught me off guard. He had disappeared once before, briefly managing to find himself through the fence, but this time there was absolutely no sign of him. I'm guessing it was a stealth hawk and he was just so small he was an easier target. I've been watching everyone pretty closely as they free range the last few days and am amazed at how everyone (chickens and ducks) like to hang in the vicinity of my collie who just kind of plops himself down and watches over them. But I do know that the Silky was a little more nervous around the dog so maybe didn't stay in safe range. We love having them roam around the yard, but if I ever get bantam ducks again I'll keep them penned like I do with my Silkie chickens because I think they are just too vulnerable given their smaller size. I just get this lousy pit in my stomach for the longest time after I lose one.

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
Thank you! What have you been up to these days? How's the duckies doing?

I'm afraid I've had a bad couple of months which is maybe why it's been hard to participate lately. During the horrible wind and rain a few months ago I got stuck off Island until well after dark and something got my BEI. He was in the pen, safe from winged predators, but not locked into the 'safe' house so I'm guessing a raccoon or something got him after dark. Then, during the cold spell, I moved my Silky in with the Runners because it's a bit warmer where they are at. He seemed pretty happy with them (though they weren't overly friendly towards him), but then about a week ago, shortly after I let them all out to free range, he just disappeared. My husband, stepson, and I had been out and about in the yard in the morning and so it really caught me off guard. He had disappeared once before, briefly managing to find himself through the fence, but this time there was absolutely no sign of him. I'm guessing it was a stealth hawk and he was just so small he was an easier target. I've been watching everyone pretty closely as they free range the last few days and am amazed at how everyone (chickens and ducks) like to hang in the vicinity of my collie who just kind of plops himself down and watches over them. But I do know that the Silky was a little more nervous around the dog so maybe didn't stay in safe range. We love having them roam around the yard, but if I ever get bantam ducks again I'll keep them penned like I do with my Silkie chickens because I think they are just too vulnerable given their smaller size. I just get this lousy pit in my stomach for the longest time after I lose one.

Awww

I wonder if it's our geese that keep the air attacks away. If you like hatching things, I would gather a couple eggs from Ranaya this spring for you. She's a chinese and her gander is a plain headed roman. I don't plan on hatching anything from them, but you'd rather have live little ones I'd let her sit some if you would like... I'm such a pusher

Here's some pictures of them:
Ranaya

Rommy:

I few times I've wanted to call to chat, but I seem to have lost your number

 

[Nyrial]

despite my (weak) protest, DH wants to order some more bantams since he got almost all pullets this last time around, and wants some more roos. I'll be placing a McMurray order on Wednesday if anyone wants to get in on it. I'm aiming for a 2/8 or 2/15 batch, but could end up with a 2/1. We can work out drop off/pick up around the potluck. I'll bring them there or something and drop them off.

Just let me know via PM what you want to add to the order, then I'll let you know what your portion of the order is (price of chick + shipping/# of chicks) once the order is billed.

ETA: If you're interested in what standards we're ordering let me know, as you know that on the standards you get a quantity discount at 11 birds.

 

[weaveagarden]

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I am so sorry. I think it is harder when you don't know what happened, too. I wonder if you can use some aviary knotted netting suspended above their range area. Just having some of it above may help to make it harder for a flying predator to come and go.

 

[crazychickenluver]

Ok Everyone....So those that want to do an order together PM meewith what and how much. I am going to place the order through Murray. I will have them delivered the week of the 22nd of February and will bring them to the party. If you live in Kitsap County you aremore than welcome to get them early or anyone that wants to come get them from me is fine to. If someone has a different idea please let me know as well.


Herb..I went today and saw the chickens, I only purchased 2 from him, not sure if the americaunas are something you would be interested in. He primarily had the mixes of Polish/americauna left. If you want chicks I can order some for you with my order.

Everyone have a great night!!

 

[justbugged]

I thought I would mention my past experience with predators. The carrion birds tend to make a really nasty mess of a chicken, and often leave most of the carcass behind. My daughter used to get so

and would rant and rave about the mess the hawks would leave behind.

On the other hand the coyotes tended to make things just disappear, sometimes there might be a few feathers left but often there was no evidence left. I will have to ask my sister about the raccoons. She has had trouble off and on again for years. She lives in urban Seattle, so the coons have been the only consistent predator that she has faced that I know about. She even lost one of the RIR chicks that I raised for her this past spring.

I spent most of my day today at the laundry mat, washing the down quilts. I finally got caught on the fourth batch of puppies, with the mama having the pups in my bed. I didn't think that the pups would be here before Monday, so I hadn't got the whelping box out yet. I was awakened to 4 of the dogs and 2 new additions all in the bed with me. I was not a very happy Dog mama. Chips one of the puppies from the July litter I swear was trying to help his mom give birth to the new puppies. He spent all day watching over them. He was very sweet, and protective, about getting 4 new siblings. The puppies are very cute and gaining weight.

I also counted up my Faverolle pullets and discovered that I seem to have 10 of them. This confuses me to no end since I was very sure that I only had 9 of them.

I have counted them a number of times over the last couple of months and always counted 9. But last night I just wanted to make sure everyone was in the coup, and I got to counting, and recounting, and recounting again, and there are 10 Faverolle pullets at my house.

It's a very nice thing that they are really sweet chickens. Now I just want them to start laying.

 

[Eagle2026]

Totally out of context:
You want to see some stuff that is off the grid....Check This Out. Spectrum Ranch and I showing some of our stock!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3449602#p3449602

Caution- HEAVY, HEAVY pix.

Mike

 

[Eagle2026]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3449671#p3449671
Here are a few pix of me spending good time with the DW and our daughter.
Mike

 

[Chicken Rustler]

OK so I just gotta ask one more time. I am supposed to be getting some hatching eggs and this is what they are.

wade jean c1 bloodline from the copper king

Can any body give me any idea what I am getting, like what the birds will look like and if good layers. ??? I know they are supposed to be dark layers and they are said to be rather expensive. I am not buying them I "won" them and they will be shipped this spring.
Thanks Rob