Washingtonians

[UrbanEnthusiast]

As far as chickens preferring their own nests in the brush, it didn't bother me until rats started stealing our eggs if we don't make it home in time to collect before dark. The only hen we have who isn't molting right now has been laying in a spot the rats haven't found yet, fortunately. When we build the new coop this month, we are going to make nest boxes, but I have a feeling they'll keep laying in the brush along the fence.

Thank you for the kind words! Good luck with your new chicks! I'm going to be getting three female chicks in the spring, probably Hamburgs.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Well I liked the doctor a lot (which means a TON coming from me...I think most doctors have a horrible agenda of pushing meds for the pharmaceutical companies, rather than making someone WELL again. Long story.) and he seems to be taking me in the right direction. Next Wednesday I have a nerve study on my arm and shoulder to figure out the issue, however I think it's my neck that is the problem in the long run. I hope the study shows something though and we can work on my arms instead of having spine surgery. Ick! Thanks for the well wishes.

We have gotten 5 eggs already today and 2 more girls are sharing the nest box right now! I am simply waiting and waiting for the day when I get 9 eggs all together; that will prove to me that everyone is earning their keep. The only one I am certain isn't laying yet is my Welsummer; I know for a fact that my Maran/EEx, 2 Buff Orps, 2 Easter Eggers, 1 RIR, 1 GLW, and Black Lorp are all laying, even if it's inconsistent due to early maturity. DYING for my Wellie to lay!!

 

[Nikki99]

As far as chickens preferring their own nests in the brush, it didn't bother me until rats started stealing our eggs if we don't make it home in time to collect before dark. The only hen we have who isn't molting right now has been laying in a spot the rats haven't found yet, fortunately. When we build the new coop this month, we are going to make nest boxes, but I have a feeling they'll keep laying in the brush along the fence.

Thank you for the kind words! Good luck with your new chicks! I'm going to be getting three female chicks in the spring, probably Hamburgs.

Ours have 7 boxes to choose from but still, they insist on laying outside in the bush! I hope we can get it squared away soon, I'd prefer they laid inside, we worked hard on those boxes!! Lol.

Thanks! I don't know what Hamburgs are, you have perked my interest, I'm going to Google them!

 

[VelvettFog]

Well I liked the doctor a lot (which means a TON coming from me...I think most doctors have a horrible agenda of pushing meds for the pharmaceutical companies, rather than making someone WELL again. Long story.) and he seems to be taking me in the right direction. Next Wednesday I have a nerve study on my arm and shoulder to figure out the issue, however I think it's my neck that is the problem in the long run. I hope the study shows something though and we can work on my arms instead of having spine surgery. Ick! Thanks for the well wishes.

We have gotten 5 eggs already today and 2 more girls are sharing the nest box right now! I am simply waiting and waiting for the day when I get 9 eggs all together; that will prove to me that everyone is earning their keep. The only one I am certain isn't laying yet is my Welsummer; I know for a fact that my Maran/EEx, 2 Buff Orps, 2 Easter Eggers, 1 RIR, 1 GLW, and Black Lorp are all laying, even if it's inconsistent due to early maturity. DYING for my Wellie to lay!!

Check their vents. You'll easily be able to tell who's laying, and who's not.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
Oh yeah....will do that after lunch! Oh and one of the gals sharing the nest box didn't lay.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
When mine started laying I confined them to the run and coop for a week. Now that most of the girls are laying I don't worry about it because they all see each other laying in the "designated" spot and I don't worry about yard eggs anymore. Could you lock yours up for a week to train them to lay where you want them to?

 

[mikeyb]

If you can, keep them confined to the coop and run until about mid-day. Most of the hens will be done laying by then (its not like they can just wait you out). When I let my gals out and take care of their immediate needs I collect the eggs, usually 5 to 6. Then later about 3pm I check and sure enough one more egg will be there. Apparently this hen likes an empty nest. Although from time to time I check the yard for eggs I haven't found any, thankfully.

Now to my waterpipe problem. I think I'll just lay a pipe out to the coop and at the house side I will connect it with a short designated hose. This'll be just for spring to fall. Winter I'm resigned to carrying water out to them. I'll just chalk it up to exercise.
Thanks to all who responded to my questions.

 

[FlyRobinFly]

I finally got my chance to hold the darkest rescue chicken. Um now I know why someone dumped these.

Ouch! I'm sorry you got attacked, and that your daughter had to witness it.
These guys with those long legs look almost like they have some game bird in them, which would account for the scrappy temperament...but that's just a guess.

 

[FlyRobinFly]

Glad to hear she is home and doing okay! I hope she recovers completely.

 

[justbugged]

Quote: Very interesting about the effects of bombing a house. I haven't bombed in years now. Since removing the carpets we simply haven't had any infestations. (That I have been aware of.

) I haven't been willing to risk the small finches that live in the house either. In the past, I have been known to use the chemical No-Pest strips. I found them to be helpful with controlling the both house and fruit flies. But then I got to thinking that even if it's clear across the room from the little birds, and the fish tanks, That I just don't want to risk anything. I would rather live with the spiders. With the flies on the other hand I have simply gotten very good at swatting them. I have also found that fruit flies are easier to nail if my hands are wet. I don't mind crawlies very much, but things that fly into my face are dead meat around here.

It all depends on how annoyed something makes me.

I am going to have to look up about the Hobo spiders though. I have been known to relocate a beastie, if it's not ignoring me properly.

I am fairly certain that the only reason that you even saw your spider was because of the dark. Most of the European House spiders prefer dark hidey holes. They are foragers, so they hunt and have been known to bite. The House Spiders are not considered venomous, but I will assume that the bite could still hurt a bit.

Many years ago I had a girlfriend that was bitten by a spider, and she had a very large patch of skin that turned very black.

While I like spiders, I do have some major limits as to where I will let them live.

I wanted a very hairy tarantula, then I read somewhere that they can live up to 30 years. I don't want any pet that will live that long at my age. So my all time favorite spider are Black and Yellow Argiope spiders. They are very polite field spiders, and don't want to live inside with me.

I looked a few pictures of the Hobo, and I know for sure that I have swept up dead carcasses of that kind of spiders. Now I don't think that I will ever be able to think of using bug bomb a place that I am plan to live in. One web site says that you need to bait for hobo spiders.