Washingtonians

[VelvettFog]

Another (nearly panicked) question... will Rhodie get over the big scary predator who stole her egg? My goodness - if she doesn't shut up soon, I'm going to have some upset neighbors. What can I do (besides giving her egg back) to get her to be quiet?

Wait until tomorrow

 

[mikeyb]

About hens laying anywhere but the nesting boxes.
I spent time/money and energy building 4 nesting boxes with exterior access lids so I wouldn't have to bend over or go into the coop to get the eggs.
Every 2 days I have one egg in the same nesting box, the other 4 to 6 eggs on layed on the floor in the most secluded corner. This is actually not going to be a problem very soon. This is the area that will be the sweep out door as soon as I cut out the wall for the access panel. But still........So now I'm thinking that the nesting boxes really need a cover to darken the interior of the box.
About the noisey hens;
mine start to squawk about 11:30 every day because they want OUT OF THE RUN NOW. I think they get bored and want to go hunt the creepy/crawly/yummies. They now range all over their back yard, an acre of fun for them. Feed consumption has dropped as they get more adept at finding their "goodies". They are also very quiet when free ranging.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote:
I totally agree - my hens are louder than the roosters.

The loudest (that I had to get rid of because they were so loud) were my Australorp and Black Copper Marans.

My Jersey Giant is also quite loud; as are two of my EEs.

The quietest are my Brabanters. They walk around peeping and honking pleasantly - not yelling at me like the ones above do.

BTW - I got my Brabanters from Hallerlake who hangs out on this thread. They are ADORABLE!
I really enjoy my Brabanters. They're curious and friendly. And they make that adorable little honking sound instead of clucking.

 

[itsren]

Rhodie is in the coop right now "singing" the egg song. Except it doesn't sound like singing. It sounds more like being in pain to me. I took the golf balls out. I peeked in... she has rearranged the nest box - hopefully she'll lay there this time.

 

[VelvettFog]

Rhodie is in the coop right now "singing" the egg song. Except it doesn't sound like singing. It sounds more like being in pain to me. I took the golf balls out. I peeked in... she has rearranged the nest box - hopefully she'll lay there this time.

I think when my birds sing the egg song it sounds like they are swearing!

You know ... bawk, bawk, bawk, BAWK OFF !

Only my birds don't say 'bawk' - they have potty mouths

 

[itsren]

About the noisey hens;
mine start to squawk about 11:30 every day because they want OUT OF THE RUN NOW. I think they get bored and want to go hunt the creepy/crawly/yummies. They now range all over their back yard, an acre of fun for them. Feed consumption has dropped as they get more adept at finding their "goodies". They are also very quiet when free ranging.

I wish that were the case with Rhodie. I had to put her back in the run because she got so loud squawking all over the back yard. She was near 2 of my neighbor's houses and going absolutely nuts. She kept running back to the coop - looking where her egg was, then she'd run back out to the yard squawking and looking around.

Rhodie is the only one squawking - and she's the only one who has laid any eggs... which is why I'm pretty sure her noise has something to do with her either not liking the feeling of laying eggs, or the fact that her egg was missing.

 

[itsren]

I think when my birds sing the egg song it sounds like they are swearing!

You know ... bawk, bawk, bawk, BAWK OFF !

Only my birds don't say 'bawk' - they have potty mouths

YEP! That's exactly what it sounds like!

 

[chickenjane82]

Is there ANYwhere that processes chickens local to pierce county?

Both my options fell through and I need to get these suckers outta here and Id rather not do it myself.

I heard there is a guy in south prarie but noone can give me a name or a number!

 

[itsren]

Any suggestions on how to free-range my chickens with a neighbor's cat that's used to running free? I finally discovered what the huge problem was all morning - our neighbor's cat has discovered them and is hanging around. It was bad enough with the stray (that I still haven't caught) - now I have to deal with a loved domestic cat. I talked to the neighbor, they gave me permission to spray their cat with a hose, but, I'll be honest - I'm nervous to let them out of the coop now. They told me he was a "good hunter" and that he's used to being out wherever he wants.

 

[jenreinke]

Just curious about the typical leg color of a black sex link pullet. I have one I got a couple of weeks ago and her legs are the same color as my EE. Most of the pics I have seen of BSL's look more yellow in leg color but it could be the photo. Thanks!