Washingtonians

[FirewifeJess]

Check out this cool web I found in my front yard this morning. As soon as I can track down the spider, I know three little fluffy butts who will enjoy a fun game of spider tag.



Speaking of fluffy butts... I want to rip my ugly dead corn out that didn't survive through our Yellowstone vacation. But, every time I think that's it, I'm done looking at it, my 3 little fluffy butts remind me that it is one of their favorite places to play.

Both pictures are gorgeous!! I love the chicken butts!

You should have prefaced that pic with "Guess what?"

 

[ChickAudie]

You all are so kind! Thanks again for the welcomes, just as soon as I can figure out the quoting I will be all set!

Chikielady, those paintings are beautiful, you are so very talented! I wish I could paint like that...my 11 year old is able to draw and paint really well, I don't know where he gets it from.

Cloverleaf, you will have to keep us posted on those eggs! I keep on hoping that something good will come

How long do eggs take to hatch anyway? Silly question, I know I can just look for it on this website!

I have a ton of pallets from work that I am about to fashion this weekend into (hopefully, if all goes well) a chicken coop! I was going to take them all apart to build it, but my Pa suggested just leaving them together and using them to form the building. He also voulenteered my Uncle's scrap fencing I was going to use for the siding.

I do have a question.... I wasn't going to roof the enclosed run, just the coop. Since we are in Washington, do y'all think I should put a cover over it to keep out the rain?? I was just going to run the hardware cloth over the top, but then read the article on avoiding a muddy run and am thinking a roof might be a bit better idea, more work than I was wanting

, but better for the outdoor ladies in the long run..... Our lot is a large, but level lot.... sort of on a hill, a big hill that you only noctice when you drive up. There is some pretty thick grass growing, but from what I have read, that won't be a lastin' too long!

 

[FirewifeJess]

You all are so kind! Thanks again for the welcomes, just as soon as I can figure out the quoting I will be all set!

Chikielady, those paintings are beautiful, you are so very talented! I wish I could paint like that...my 11 year old is able to draw and paint really well, I don't know where he gets it from.

Cloverleaf, you will have to keep us posted on those eggs! I keep on hoping that something good will come

How long do eggs take to hatch anyway? Silly question, I know I can just look for it on this website!

I have a ton of pallets from work that I am about to fashion this weekend into (hopefully, if all goes well) a chicken coop! I was going to take them all apart to build it, but my Pa suggested just leaving them together and using them to form the building. He also voulenteered my Uncle's scrap fencing I was going to use for the siding.

I do have a question.... I wasn't going to roof the enclosed run, just the coop. Since we are in Washington, do y'all think I should put a cover over it to keep out the rain?? I was just going to run the hardware cloth over the top, but then read the article on avoiding a muddy run and am thinking a roof might be a bit better idea, more work than I was wanting

, but better for the outdoor ladies in the long run..... Our lot is a large, but level lot.... sort of on a hill, a big hill that you only noctice when you drive up. There is some pretty thick grass growing, but from what I have read, that won't be a lastin' too long!

First, how big will your coop be and how many chickens are you getting? If your coop is pretty big and you don't have a lot of chickens, you probably don't need to roof the run since they'll have adequate shelter inside out of the rain; I recommend at least 10+ s/f per bird inside if you go that route. If your coop is adequate for sleeping and laying eggs (as mine is) but not for hanging out in, you'll want a roofed run. My dozen girls only share a 35s/f coop, but their run is 128s/f and completely covered. It will always be dry. That means they have at least 10s/f outside and 3s/f inside.

 

[ChickAudie]

First, how big will your coop be and how many chickens are you getting? If your coop is pretty big and you don't have a lot of chickens, you probably don't need to roof the run since they'll have adequate shelter inside out of the rain; I recommend at least 10+ s/f per bird inside if you go that route. If your coop is adequate for sleeping and laying eggs (as mine is) but not for hanging out in, you'll want a roofed run. My dozen girls only share a 35s/f coop, but their run is 128s/f and completely covered. It will always be dry. That means they have at least 10s/f outside and 3s/f inside.

Ha! Originally, I was only getting four hens, but then, I found another breed that I *must* have, so five total. My original design was for a 4'x4' coop, but I am not sure how long the pallets are - I am guessing close to it, they are pretty big. I am also raising it up off the ground about 2 or 2 1/2 feet so their outside feed can hang underneith, without getting pooed in or knocked over. I think that is about 3s/f per bird. Outside, I was doing a 8'x6'x6' run, which will be cutting it close for the outside footage. Our lot is only 10,800 s/f so I can't go bonkers with a delux chicken mansion...as much as I want too

 

[FirewifeJess]

Will they be free ranging too? I highly recommend they have a covered run and still be able to range your yard. That will keep the coop/run cleaner as well, and give them lots of greens/bugs. If you are confining them to coop/run full time you are correct, the grass will be gone in a week.

 

[pettec63]

Does anyone here have experience with meat goats? I have the opportunity to get a portion of a billy goat for a good price. Apparently he's a big sucker, maybe 200 lbs. Do billies have good meat? Anyone have good recipes? I've had cabrito, but I know that young goats are much more tender, so I don't even know if an adult billy goat is worth cooking.

Jennifer

I have dairy goats, not meat goats, but we do have two wethers we will probably do in, I haven't had a lot of goat, but I have done tons of reading and I was raised on a farm, and depending on how old the buck is ( correct term for a intact male goat, LOL!) it could be pretty tough and if he was old enough for breeding stock, I would imagine, he might taste "bucky" so, yea, not sure I would go that route, but, I suppose if you cooked in long enough with enough marinade or spices it might be so bad? Just MHO good luck! let us know how it turns out!

 

[pettec63]

Hi all!

I am done catching up with three days of posts! Man this thread is chatty!

Welcome to the new people!

And I am sorry about those that have had losses of loved ones. Animal or human.

I am going to bed early and try to get a good nights sleep. I haven't had one in a few nights. And no I haven't called my Dr.'s office to find out what she recommended. I have been busy and keep forgetting to do it before they close for the day.
That is on the list for tomorrow.

As well as Ogress is being the ultimimate enabler and selling me her Hobavator Genesis tomorrow.

And I have two new additions to the family. Meet Bunnie and Clyde!

Clyde


Bunnie


Clyde is getting fixed tomorrow. I do not need any baby bunnies! Especially since they are brother and sister!
Have a great night everyone!

Hi Kim!!!

those are some cute wabbits!!! LOL! hope all is well with you! Love the names!!

 

[pettec63]

OMG OMG OMG!!! I just got word that a visiting toddler discovered a tiny white egg next to the coop! That means one of my two Exchequer Leghorn pullets is finally laying at last!!! Here is a pic of it in between our blue mutt's egg and our Welsummer's egg. In the process of making this post I just heard that another tiny white egg was discovered inside the coop!!!

LOL!! leave it to a toddler to find a tiny egg!! Kids gotta loveem! Good for you!! good luck!

 

[lovinchickypoos]

Check out this cool web I found in my front yard this morning. As soon as I can track down the spider, I know three little fluffy butts who will enjoy a fun game of spider tag.



Speaking of fluffy butts... I want to rip my ugly dead corn out that didn't survive through our Yellowstone vacation. But, every time I think that's it, I'm done looking at it, my 3 little fluffy butts remind me that it is one of their favorite places to play.

THAT WEB IS BEAUTIMOUS!!!!!! I plan to use my corn stalks as Halloween decorations!!

 

[JennS]

I have dairy goats, not meat goats, but we do have two wethers we will probably do in, I haven't had a lot of goat, but I have done tons of reading and I was raised on a farm, and depending on how old the buck is ( correct term for a intact male goat, LOL!) it could be pretty tough and if he was old enough for breeding stock, I would imagine, he might taste "bucky" so, yea, not sure I would go that route, but, I suppose if you cooked in long enough with enough marinade or spices it might be so bad? Just MHO good luck! let us know how it turns out!

Thanks! I am thinking of using the meat for dishes like Jamaican goat curry or wine braised chops. Maybe get some of it ground to use in spaghetti sauce or seasoned burgers. I don't know the goat's age, but I will ask today.

Jennifer