Washingtonians

[AriLovesChickens]

Interesting conversations you're having here...

I'm in Lake Forest Park, currently without chickens, and I'm exploring options for inexpensive small coops. I'd like to get 2-3 birds. I guess I'm looking for something that could be easily taken down eventually, because we're renting and don't know how long we'll stay. My sister (lucky enough to live on several acres in Iowa) has suggested making a coop out of shipping pallets. I'm not sure if I'm up for that; I've heard they're hard to get apart, and I don't have power tools.

Any suggestions/recommendations?

 

[AriLovesChickens]

Oops, double post.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote:
I posted my pictures on the Brabanter/Spitzhauben thread to see if anyone could tell me how many cockerels I have. It seems I only have ONE!

Hey thats no fair--everyone has to deal with all the extra lil roos'

just kidding that is really great for you and for them !

On the other hand, I know I have three spitz cockerels and only two pullets.

 

[cheryl98117]

I have not seen one ray of sunshine at all today. But man is it ever warm and muggy here. Everything I have touched today has been slightly sticky. I dont normally complain about our humidity, but its kinda shocking. lol These Locust trees smell SO good, they have a very sweet pungant aroma, kinda makes the air feel heavy. And my property is buzzing! The Bee's have finaly arived!

 

[Chickielady]

I have 4 people on a list waiting for eggs, and turned away 1 lady who wanted 4 pullet chicks (any brown egg layer) and turned away 2 people who wanted eggs now, and I have not delivered to my town account (2 doz a day) in 3 days...I have too many customers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My pullets need to grow faster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
I have read they don't eat raw root crops. I haven't had luck with carrot or potato peels, but if cooked, they will eat them.

I heard raw tator peel can kill chooks! Any body know .

If it is a big hunk it can block the crop.
So can apple peel, and a big peel of carrot, cucumber or dog kibble.
Nothing is ground up in the crop, it has to funnel through a tube the size of a large pencil, then goes to the gizzard to be ground up.
Grapes, cherries are bad too.

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
I didn't realise yer hands were that tiny!! cause I know them berries can't be that big.

They are huge!!
And heavy!!
When I have a lot of babies, I will bring you some, plant them in yer window boxes so slugs & chookies don't get them, and you & DH will have berries !!

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
My opinion ONLY --

Birds of the same age, who are pretty close to the same size can be housed together. The breeds you mentioned, BR, SLW, BO - would all be fine in a flock together. I have 8 EE's, 8 RIR's, 4 Stars, 1 BO, 1 SLW and 1 GLW-Roo - things are going along swimmingly, even tho I don't have any ducks.

I personally, would not try and put bantams and large fowl together -- UNLESS --- a bantam roo over LF hens -- maybe.

You are not a nuttie newbie -- unless we all are. Other than CR. He's old.

Tail twisting is encouraged

Stepping on rats is not. There are few to no rats on the dry side of the mtns. I've lived here for 35 yrs -- never seen a rat.

Now I've done it -- rat jinxed my own darn self.


Dave

FYI: I have lived here for over 35 years, and had a wildlife cam & spend most all of my time in the woods, and NEVER have I seen a brown rat like this...this is a warf type rat!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. We had quite a huge population of these and more kinds of rats in E OR & E WA.............the miles & miles of rolling hills of wheat is the big clue.
Where there is oppurtunity, ye shall find rats.

 

[AriLovesChickens]

Oh, I guess another question would be: do you know of any good places to buy small coops in the Seattle area that will deliver for a reasonable cost? I've also looked into buying used coops, but I don't have a truck/SUV to carry large loads (nor do I know anyone with one).

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Quote:
For just 2 or 3 hens, you might search Craigslist for Rabbit Hutches. You can often find them free or cheap and you can alter them easily enough if needed. Or wooden dog houses. For 3 hens you would want it to be 3'x4' at a minimum, bigger is always better though cause of chicken math.