Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[poultryorganics]

They are beautiful! I found additional light and having nesting areas that are "tucked away" help get their hormones pumping. Our pullets started laying when I put the nesting box back in a dark corner of the coop and added a light to the front area of the coop. That may have just been coincidence, but they started laying at 19 weeks (en masse) and haven't stopped....

 

[flirty31]

How old?
Are you using any sort of artificial light?

Most chickens begin laying between 5 and 8 months old depending on when they were hatched. They need at least 14 hours of daylight, more daylight is better. One of the "daylight" floresent light bulbs for indoors works great in a coop set on a timer to be on from say 4pm til 8pm. Giving them a long day of light.
Also black sunflower seeds helps them lay eggs and prevents them from getting egg bound.

About 21 weeks old.

Do you know what it is about black sunflower seeds that helps? I actually do have some of those but haven't given them many, maybe I should start giving them some more

 

[KMHunter]

Hey everyone,
I need some creative ideas to keep roosters in the city. We were going to soundproof the coop, but with the recent hawk attacks and having to move the LF to the coop in which we were going to soundproof, I don't think we will get around to that in the near future. With my chicks I have now, it's looking as if I have two Cochin boys, and a Modern Game boy. Any suggestions as to what I could do to keep them in the city without bothering the neighbors?
Thanks.

The only thing I can think of is keeping them in the garage or a shed of some sort in seperate cages. Bantams do fine in medium cages by themselves, and maybe letting them out during the day for a little while then putting them back before they get to crowing too much when people are home. That's just an idea, not sure how well it will work. Sorry.

 

[KMHunter]

Quote: They are good for them. They are full good fats and oils and protein. If you give them too many it can make them fat.

I mix them in with my 5 way scratch to make it 6-way.

 

[poultryorganics]

I think talking with your neighbors and sharing eggs is the ticket.... we have 4 roosters currently and they can get pretty chatty at times. I've visited with all our neighbors and let them know we don't want our chickens disturbing them in anyway - encouraging them to talk with us first if there is a problem. We have also given away a fair amount of fresh eggs which is good incentive for a neighbor to put up with a some extra noise now and again. Most people are blown away by the difference in the quality of fresh eggs... and once introduced become chicken advocates quickly! Good luck... hope this helps.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

They are good for them. They are full good fats and oils and protein. If you give them too many it can make them fat.

I mix them in with my 5 way scratch to make it 6-way.

You can also mix them in their regular grain. Right now I'm feeding kinda a lot of sunflower seed, but as it warms up i cut back on that and let the chickens out in the yard more to get exercise and eat free food (weeds, grass and bugs)

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

I think talking with your neighbors and sharing eggs is the ticket.... we have 4 roosters currently and they can get pretty chatty at times.  I've visited with all our neighbors and let them know we don't want our chickens disturbing them in anyway - encouraging them to talk with us first if there is a problem.  We have also given away a fair amount of fresh eggs which is good incentive for a neighbor to put up with a some extra noise now and again. Most people are blown away by the difference in the quality of fresh eggs... and once introduced become chicken advocates quickly!  Good luck... hope this helps.

That was what I was thinking of originally doing... However, I recently got rid of my LF because I wanted to focus more on Bantams. I've talked to two neighbors who are fine with the chickens (one even has 8 hens) but I'm not sure about the others.

 

[lovinchickypoos]

I am the same way - very awkward! I don't socialize much, and sometimes, I talk about random things because sometimes the silence is too much for me.... and my words usually come out twisted or transposed, lol!!

Man oh man, it's like you're describing me!!!!!




Ha! The yippies!! They don't even get the point of being a hippie, smh....

But, better for them to spend their money than me!!!!

That's no joke, haha!

Well with the talk of yuppies yippies and hippies do ya know the definition of a HIPPIE??? It's a Jack that looks like a Jill and smells like a John !!!

I finally officially quit smoking cigarettes! On day 63 without, and Im doin just fine. Wish my DH would at least not smoke in our van, and make it a little easier, and less stinky for me, but whatever. I'm dealing with it. I feel much better, and am saving SO much $$$ each week that its ridiculous! Im saving $52.50 a week!!! Or $210 a MONTH!!! Good grief! How on earth did I ever even afford it to begin with!?! lol

CONGRATULATIONS

I wish so badly that my mom would quit. She's an overly nervous person and she uses stress as an excuse to keep doing it. Even with going to the reservations, she would sure save major, much needed, money if she would stop. She's fighting right now with inflammed lungs which is causing major coughing and trouble breathing.

I am new to this forum, as well as to having chickens. I inherited "the girls" from my daughter and have managed to keep them alive so far! I have 3 buff orpingtons that have given me about a dozen eggs in the last 2 weeks. I would like to try using them to help with composting as I read in an article elsewhere on the site. That will also be new to me. I have been container gardening but will be expanding to a standard garden this year and figured it would be good to incorporate natural stuff in.

Cynthia

Hi there!!!!!!!!!! Which city are you in?

They are 9-months old, both are good with "the girls", not terribly vocal, and VERY tame (they enjoy sitting on my lap for cuddles). I would also be willing to part with 1-2 of my SS hens with each rooster for anyone that is looking to start a flock.

We are located in Kitsap County, but I would be willing to drive a fair distance for right home. Any takers??

Best Regards-

Thank you! I wish I had more room so that I could keep them both. They are both so sweet and treat me like their number one hen! Roo even took a nap with me once.... I was just beat one day working on some home renovations, laid down on the floor to take a rest for a few minutes... the few minutes turned into more like an hour, and when I woke up I found Roo snuggled up to me with his neck draped over my arm - out like a light. No joke... he was actually spooning with me!

They are gorgeous

That is so darn adorable about your spooning roo!!!

 

[ChickAudie]

They are gorgeous

That is so darn adorable about your spooning roo!!!

X2!!!!

 

[WhiskiRanch]

Quote: Im so happy they are doing good

Mr wants to build the extension on this summer or fall. First thing we are gonna do is tear down that ugly red barn behind the house and rebuild that to look like a smaller version of the grey shop. I might be able to put a coop up near that in the back. I just dont want them in the back corner. thats too far away for my liking.