Washingtonians

[TheReidHomestead]

We used the garden variety netting over our two new runs last year. It works for the birds, but we had a bobcat sneaking in one corner. He'd jump on the roof of the adjacent coop, he peeled back the netting in one corner, just enough to slip through, and was helping himself to our birds inside the coop for 3 nights before I saw him one night. I was letting the dog out before bed, looked towards the coops, and saw a gynormous cat just sitting there on the roof. We noticed the missing birds, but not that the netting had been pulled back just slightly. We have since replaced it with chicken wire and so far haven't had him back that we know of.

 

[Eagle2026]

Good to see that there are more people taking an interest chickens and chicks.

I realize that were often going over the same things but for those who are just getting chicks there are some pretty good ideas out there for making homemade brooders.
Here are some of mine.










Just thought that I would throw that out there.
I know alot of us are hatching right now and others are getting feedstore chicks so for the new people their are a couple of ideas.
Mike

ps, click on thumbnail to enlarge

Mike

 

[Eagle2026]

The seine fishing net that I use I picked up from a fisherman in Seattle when the crew were redoing there nets just before fishing season.
I have some left but I have promised it to Weavagarden.
I will keep my eyes open next time I go to fisherman's terminal.
It also doesn't hurt to talk to the port when going down there. They have a big scrap bin!

Mike

Usually I try to get $2 a linear foot, but I don't have any right now!

 

[Illia]

Quote:
Well I certainly wouldn't mind one on the farm as long as that person LOVES what they do.

But, the chances someone wants to work on our farm are SOOO low because we live HOURS away from everyone

 

[Sparkelrose]

I bought 10 Quail about 2 months ago and they have all come into maturity. 5 Texas A&M and 5 Pharaoh, out of the 2 types I only got 1 girl each. The A&M girl died from an injury so now I have way to many boys. Is there anyone who has some girls they wouldn't mind parting with?

Eagle2026, what a great set up!

pips&peeps, thanks for posting the CL add, made me drool, wish I had the money!

 

[Illia]

Oh, and

to all the new members since yesterday!

Our Staggered Hatch was a dud. The four eggs in there did not pip even this morning on day 22, and the temp spiked up. I culled them all to find dead chicks or alive and underdeveloped chicks (saddest thing ever. . .)

I am fed up with Little Giants. I decided to keep mine after we got the 1588, for extra eggs, but I still am not getting anything hatch out of it. Does anyone know if a fan will make it any better? Because the temp and humidity both read entirely separate on each side. . . And the terrible part was that my hygrometer was on the left side, which I only found out on day 21 is actually 15% lower than the right.

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Illia, I have had pretty good luck with my LG with a fan. Sorry your hatch was a dud! My first hatch ever I did a staggered hatch and the last eggs didn't make it either. I won't do staggered ones again for that reason.

 

[whidbey]

Quote:
Mike
New to this site and fairly new to chicken after a long break and move
Where did you find the tubs that you are using for the brooders, I like that idea but dont want something so large
Whidbey

 

[whidbey]

Quote:
Well I certainly wouldn't mind one on the farm as long as that person LOVES what they do.

But, the chances someone wants to work on our farm are SOOO low because we live HOURS away from everyone

Saw the ad for the teenage farm hand on another site and as I understand they are foreign exchange teens, not sure but have been around a couple of them and they are pretty great, not like American teens, but it usually depends where they come from.
I wished I had enough farm work for one to do I would jump at it. But with just the chickens not much to do. I come from a farm in ND, where I and my son grew up and worked from the time we were little. And they are great workers and always looking for new learning experiences about American farming.
A couple of farmer I know use them every summer and they are usually cheap help. And it is usually a great learning experience for the farmer as well. As it was for me. They also have new ideas and experience from their world.
Mark

 

[Eagle2026]

Mike
New to this site and fairly new to chicken after a long break and move
Where did you find the tubs that you are using for the brooders, I like that idea but dont want something so large
Whidbey

The Brooder tubs in the pic are from Tractor Supply (Dels) for $59.99 ea.
There are different shapes and sizes also @ Home Depo.
The ones I have are 85 gallon.​