Washingtonians

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

One word on generators. We did not know the difference othere than there were cheaper and more expensive. Cheaper: Noisy. More expensive: Quieter. We thought this was the only difference. We learned the hard way...but were able to correct....that the cheap generators dispense the flow of electricity in surges. The more expensive are considered "invertor" generators and they dispense an even flow of electricity. This may not matter in an incubator, but it does when being used to run my 5th wheel. The "surgey" type generators are hard on some of the electronics in my 5th wheel trailer. I am totally illiterate on all this....I just know this basic info. Do a bit of research would be my recommendation. We ended up buying a Honda 2000. Runs the 5th wheel great, quiet and no surge problems.

We had bought a BIG generator for around $500 from Home Depot for the trailer, found out regarding the whole "invertor" thing....just made it back within our time line to return it...went and bought an inverter generator and things run great now.

 

[Chickielady]

Crimany....I just now bought the one at Cabelas on sale, enter 'XHOLIDAY in the promotion box and get free shipping although they still charges me $14 for over weight special handling (I am not THAT over weight !

) but we have an inverter also...maybe that will be OK...I have no intentions of running my home/computer with this little bugger...but I will have it if power goes out to run 1 or 2-250 watt heat lamps for the brooding babies AND the big incubator...I could never fit 75 baby chicks in my bra

And think about Illia, setting 77, all stuffed into your bra !

Just imagine: Everyone in your family has baby chicks in a bra...even the boys, in pockets, in sweatshirts muffs...in the knitted scarf tied around your neck...now you know how mama hen feels with chicks swimming through her feathers...

 

[justbugged]

Quote:
heck yes !
But if it isn't windy you are screwed...

No that would be when DH hooked it up to a exercise bike and makes me pedal. If I want the power then I do the miles. I would get even sooner or later, after all he'd want to eat someday. lol

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Rainwolf, sorry about your hatch! I'm locking down tomorrow night and have a LOT of BLRW's in there. If I have extra's I can let you know. I decided to wait on the serama's until Spring. I'm going to try and get eggs locally at the Cascade Poultry Show in Monroe in March. Jbear said she'll be there and has some pretty serama's.

Hallerlake, where did you end up in the Peace Corps? My dad went with one of the first groups in the early 60's to Nigeria. Then in the 80's he worked for them in Southern Africa and the South Pacific, not as a volunteer then though, more involved in teacher training for the volunteers.

 

[hallerlake]

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How frustrating for you.

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Rainwolf, forgot to mention, I've gone through several digital thermometers and just got the twin pack at Petco for the reptile aquariums for this batch. It was less then $10 bucks, you get a thermometer and hygrometer in the pack. They are designed to be used in high humidity, high temp, and so far have done a great job. I got the Fluker brand name one's that are recommended here frequently and another pack by another company, can't remember their name though.

 

[justbugged]

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I can see it now; Chickie will make us all of us Washington ladies come over, and put little chickens in our bras.

It's a good thing I practiced ten years ago. The event will then come out annual sitting of the chicks event.

There would be media coverage, and they would try to outlaw chickens because it is the leading cause of insanity. Oh well you got to have a hobby.

 

[hallerlake]

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[ReiMiraa]

I posted this under feeding management thread, but thought this would be relevant here too since Wilcox farms is based in WA.

I'm at Washington State University and today was career and internship expo.

There was a Wilcox booth (they do dairy and eggs)

So i asked them some questions. BTW their free range chickens are true free range eggs, get to see grass, more pasture like (so if you have to buy store eggs, but feel guilty, they are a good choice). They don't let the free range ones molt, supplemented lighting in the winter in the coop. Having the light on early in the morning to keep 15.5 hours of light for the chickens per day.

The production egg layers (battery chickens) go into a forced molt once a year by limiting light down to 8 hours.

I asked the guy what the ration is for a molting bird. (he cant go into specifics of course, trade secret)
"Less protein, more high energy foods"

Since he is in the chicken egg industry i figure he might know more than me.

So since my chickens will be molting soon i plan to feed them more ground corn and less layer food. though corn does contain 7% protein.....

Just thought i would post this interesting conversation i had with someone in the Washington State poultry (egg) industry.

Feel free to debate or comment.

 

[ByN8ureHomstead]

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Is 'biddy' a brand name or slang?

slang for itty biddy...

I was thinking that. I did Google it.