Washingtonians

[StarryEyzz]

Quote:

I'm so sorry about your lost chicken. I have 7-year-old twins, I know how they'd react if they lost any of our chicks, so I can feel your pain.

When the neighbor dog attacked ours, it was a bit of reality setting in that we're going to have to all learn to deal with losses. It's so difficult with little ones.

I'm a newbie, still learning... but I did have one in a chicken chair for 4 days. I was her "other chicken". It was exhausting. My 3 chickens love to snuggle up together. They are by each others side non-stop. When my little Brahma was injured and I had to take her out, it was really hard on her. I couldn't keep her near the other two in a separate kennel, because my EE would body slam against the side of the brooder trying to get to her. So, the Brahma had to go with me everywhere. If I walked out of her sight for less than 30 seconds she'd absolutely freak. So, she went with me everywhere - even to the bathroom!

I couldn't leave her, even if my kids or husband were in the room with her. I was her chicken companion. I even sat up with her at night until she fell asleep.

As difficult as it sounds, esp. since you're like me and want to maintain a very small flock, I would get another chick so they both have someone to snuggle up with.

THANK YOU. You have been VERY helpful. Your experience defininently shows me what I need to do.

I'm fairly certain we will have to get another one. My nephew has seen the chick, says he wants this one even if its not the same kind. (which he originally wanted). So I really doubt we are up for another heartbreak of taking it back.

 

[SadieSue]

Blackberry and Blueberry both have a chick this morning!



Blueberry's chick is super curious and always pokes her head out to the sound of my voice.


And the third and final egg under Blueberry finally made some noise this morning =) I wasn't sure if there was anything going on in there!

Sweet broodys and babies! Remind me what kind of eggs the broodys hatched this time?

 

[StarryEyzz]

Yeah, the neighbors have 2 weimeraners. They are usually in a very stout run, and when the neighbors let them out to run it's under supervision. On that particular day, however, the dogs squeezed through our gate (now fixed, a little too late) and killed 3 of our girls. Sadly, my chicken-adoring daughter saw the whole thing. She still has nightmares, and is freakishly protective of the chickens, now.

On the plus side, my husband beefed up ALL our gates, and the neighbors installed an invisible electric fence. Sad day, but we're living and learning.

Anyway, having fun on this thread! I'll be poking around a lot!

--Nikki

Nikki,
sorry for your loss. We just lost one yesterday. My nephew, who lives next door and is involved with caring for the chickens, accidently tipped over a heavy gate onto his fave chicken. Horrible for him!

They were in our garden, in a makeshift run that we only put there when we are there to supervise. Well everyone got sidetracked and the accident happened. We had been saving money to build their secure run in the next few weeks. After this happened, my brother told me to get online and find what we need...NOW. It was such a horrible experience for us all, he didn't want a repeat. So luckily I found what we wanted on Craigslist in the next town over. They guy had JUST POSTED it too. So now we have the run, just need to bury some wire around it and secure it up.

Horrible lesson for us all. But we are living and learning also. I feel bad that we are doing so at the expense of our chicken and the devastation of our nephews feelings. But I do know its a sad reality to when owning backyard animals. UGH...still sucks.

Welcome to this little thread and all it has to offer.
Christina

 

[Sudsy Chick]

Quote:
They are Easter Eggers =) When I came home from Ogresses with eating eggs - Blueberry was acting broody in the coop.

Halfway through washing the eggs to put in the fridge...I came to and pulled the four blue remaining unwashed eggs and stuck them under Blueberry

Then she stopped sitting, so I stuck them under Juno who had eggs a week ahead. Then Blueberry started sitting again, so I gave her ceramic eggs. Then Blackberry started sitting - so more ceramic eggs LOL When Juno got close - I gave Blueberry & Blackberry each a real egg and ceramic egg mix to sit on.

We lost one to inexperience or nest crowding from one of the laying hens, not sure which...hence the three eggs between the two of them =)

 

[Ogress]

Blackberry and Blueberry both have a chick this morning!



Blueberry's chick is super curious and always pokes her head out to the sound of my voice.


And the third and final egg under Blueberry finally made some noise this morning =) I wasn't sure if there was anything going on in there!

Cute! I love the eye-liner on Blueberry's chick.

 

[SadieSue]

Such an eventful day we had yesterday with our leg of the VelvettFog WCT 2012! I will go out and take photos of the coop. Dave and DH worked what seemed like a straight 9 hours or so until it was up and completed. I wasn't able to get photos of the finished coop yet because as soon as they were done I got dinner on the table for our hungry crew and guests and by the time dinner was over and guests had left I had lost the light. I invited our friends over, (my gf and her husband and his mother) because my gf was the one who had chickens first and inspired me to get my own. I wanted them to be the first to see the changes in the yard with our new gravel paths, paver stone patio, beautiful fence and the VF coop!

I truly enjoyed our dinner with Dave, his DW Debbie and our guests. We had country ribs in beer, barbeque sauce and sauerkraut with red potatoes and salad. My gf brought home made brownies. Unfortunately our diner and visit was over too soon as Dave and Debbie needed to get to the next location since the tour ends soon. I don't know how he does it.

It was an action packed day with happy results. I really enjoyed my morning routine when I went to let the girls out of the run. I am still admiring the changes in our yard, and appreciate the fence every day. I closely examined the new coop, opening the man door to the run, sliding the pop door back and forth, lifting the cover on the egg box and the clean our door. If weather permits later this week I'll be priming and painting, adding a ramp, and will add new photos then. My babies are going to love their new grow out pen! The silkies will be living there permanently after the Orpingtons grow up and move out.

Just took photos - I'll send in my next post - it'll be pic heavy!

 

[itsren]

Dawn - the babies are so cute!

Windy day. I had to put a tarp on 2 sides of the chicken tractor. So far, so good. I think the tarps are cutting the wind for them. I enjoyed sitting out there and watching chicken TV, even if it was windy.

I tell you, my little Brahma is so clutsy, it's almost funny (actually, it IS funny

). My EE and RIR are very sure-footed. They seem to be able to stand on anything - even things I don't want them on. Not my Brahma. This morning my Brahma was trying so hard to balance on the edge of the dust-bath. The edge is pretty wide - the other two balance on it easily. All of the sudden she fell in face first. What a silly bird. Poor thing. I hope those coordination skills improve over time.

 

[StarryEyzz]

Happy Fathers Day!!!!!

 

[Farmin Momma]

• Location: Shelton

OOOOHHHHH ME ME ME ME!!!! I get to pick them up TOMORROW WOOOOHOOOOOOOO I'M SO EXCITED!
darn chicken math!
Oh good I am so glad that you got them. I wanted them so bad but could not go all the way up there to get them! Post pics when you get them!!!!

 

[SadieSue]

Okay - Here are many views of my new VF coop. I hope today's build up north is going as well as ours did. I am eternally grateful to Dave and Debbie for giving up days of their time and all of the hard work that has gone into the building of our coops and runs.

Coop facing North - also featuring "Toscano" my little Olive Egger from CL checking things out.


close up of sliding pop door


Facing South - inspection by "Dilly" our little lavender Ameraucana


Nest box


Viewing from inside the clean out door