Washingtonians

[PitterPatterPalace]

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We had 3 stellar jays playing in our yard today! (and I'm just north of you)
The chickens didn't seem to care too much about them. ;-)

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

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I'm curious about NPIP status as well, and is it worth getting? What is the perks of being NPIP vs not... etc

I think it'd only be worth it if a number of us got NPIP tested and could share the cost of having a tester come out. It sounded like it'd be $80-$100 for someone to get alone, as they charge for driving up from Olympia. Maybe more for Rainwolf as he is planning on selling a number of birds but there are several of us in the general vicinity (Rainwolf, DIYSeattle, Hallerlake, plus many others that live in the area but don't get on here often). If there's a lot of interest, we could see what it would all involve...

We wouldn't mind getting 'certified', so long as it's cost-effective, and could then potentially sell or give eggs away to consumers who would feel better about it.

 

[Rainwolf]

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I agree that kids grow up to fast in the city. I love my neighborhood just for the fact that its a true little community which seems to be lost in most of the city.
But I still wish I could live in the sticks and have a farm myself. I grew up on acres with a 100 acre natural park behind my house. It was the best for playing, exploring and learning about our natural world.
Some of the animals I grew up catching and playing with I no longer see anymore

Frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, newts, lizards (and yes we did have native lizards in western wa!), snakes, flying squirrels, owls, and so much more!

Oh I know exactly what you are talking about! I grew up in the deep woods on the North end of Bainbridge Island. Back when Bainbridge was a small town. The propertys next to ours were ALL wooded except one. So I had acres upon acres of forest to explore. You really don't see all the small wildlife anymore. I can't remember the last time I saw, let alone caught a newt or salamander... Its really sad actually. The more people expand into the non developed areas, the more natural wildlife we lose.

Where I live now, is only about 15 miles from where I was born and raised, and the critters we have here are mostly larger wildlife. Bear, Cougar, Coyote, coon, and Civic cats... Have you ever seen or smelled a Civic cat? If you havn't smelled them your lucky! But they are cute large Weazle cousins. Will devistate a flock in a heart beat, and will take on small and medium sized dogs. We also have this large rodent "I say large because they get to 5lbs." Well I have NO idea what these rodents are called, but they look like miniature versions of beavers, flat tails, equatic, kinda a sandy brown color. OH and they eat fish! Wiped out my entire fish population, koy, schubunkins, and gold fish... Anyone have any clue what this rodent might be?

Sorry about my raving! I kinda get lost and lose my train of thought. lol

river otter?

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Chickielady - I SHOULD be able to make the Chehalis show. DH and 2 of the girls have a Tae Kwon Do tournament I thought might be that weekend, but it's the following weekend. I don't think we'll show anything, but we'll at least come down for the day.

Monicas - Good to hear from you! Do you still have those split black Ameraucana pullets? I know I emailed you about them awhile ago, and then things got busy. I'll take them if you still have them.

I've also been thinking about getting NPIP, but don't know all the details. I know for the Evergreen State Fair, the 4-H and FFA kids need to prove their birds are from NPIP stock or they get tested at Vet Chick when they come in. We have a State Vet there that my DD usually assists, and they take a blood sample from under the wing and do a quick test for Pullorum Typhoid, and then they take a mouth swab to be tested for Avian Flu. I imagine getting set up would incur some cost and having the state vet come do the same with your entire flock. Then once everything checks out you would get your paperwork. I have heard from other members on here that they also inspect your facilities to make sure your birds are living in a good environment.

We spent the day building a new coop on the back of the goat barn. Acutally, its another duplex with two adjoinging coops. Will post pics when done. The 8 wk old Orpingtons and Lav Ameraucana will go in them for the winter, then the Ameraucan's will move to the smaller coop I have my two older Lav Orp Roo's in and I'll be able to have a Lav Orp pen and a BBS Orp pen and have my all Ameraucana's together.

 

[DIYSeattle]

In order to sell eggs out of state arent we supposed to be NPIP certified? I dont plan on selling anything but I guess you never know.

Would they even consolidate the drive up here to split amongst several people? I think its rediculous that other things require you to go to Olympia to get or have them come to you, but thats how it works here.

 

[Rainwolf]

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I have a pair of Stellar Jays that live on my lot. They have been here for years and years we watch the babies grow and leave. I'm not sure but I think they return to the same place to nest and hatch babies every year. I love them as they chase the starlings away. I also have a pair of crows that live close by that my mom feeds in the mornings again love them due to chasing starlings away and my fruit trees do not get devoured.

I have a couple pairs of humming birds here. My mom calls them red rufus? but I don't know if that's their real name.
We have a family of coons (5) and opossums that visit but I made sure my birds are well protected with 1/2 inch hardwire cloth.
The squirrels have found the coop tho and during the day they go inside and raid the leftovers we feed the flock. The toads.

 

[Rainwolf]

Oh and the best thing about a rooster?
He chases the coons away! My big Buff orp saw the coon on the fence during the day.. poof went the feathers and charge went the roo! Coon had no idea what to make of this weird thing so left the area pretty fast!

 

[CIgal]

I finally got around to taking some pictures of the wee ones. I'm happy to report they are doing great!

 

[Chickielady]

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Monica, get ahold of Pipsandpeeps, she not only knows what you need, she probably has some of it....I myself vaccinate for Marek's and Newcastle, although I am here in WA state now, MG seems to be much more apparent than Newcastle...but again I stress, to talk to Jean, she shows, and knows what is going around in what state.

 

[Chickielady]

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I am so glad someone has a camera besides me !!!! We need more photos !!!
And aren't the babies adorable !!!!