Newbie! - Where to start in Phoenix, AZ?

newbiechick1978

Hatching
Aug 2, 2015
2
0
7
Have been thinking about starting a back yard flock for more than a year now. Wanted to wait until my son was 2 or so before we tackled that one. Would love a mixed breed flock of about 5 to start. Looks like city ordinances allow 20 per half acre (which we have) but my HOA says no chickens (although we are a horse community). Taking a request for approval to keep backyard chickens to an HOA meeting very soon. I am banking on the "chickens are less messy, stinky and loud than horses" defense to make my case.

Has anyone successfully gotten their HOA to approve backyard flocks and how did you go about it?

When we are ready, where are the best places to get chicks? We met a nice lady from Firefly Farms in Gilbert at the farmer's market this morning who gave me her info and invited us out to see the farm when we're ready. Seems like a fantastic way to get chicks but she only had a couple of different breeds and I was hoping to get at least three (Reds, Auracarans, Australorp, and maybe a Buff Orpington). Any other suggestions for local sources of chicks?

Also, any helpful tips on keeping chickens in our climate? Will I need a heat lamp in the winter (we are low desert here in Phoenix)?

Thanks!
 
Welcome to BYC!


Chickens are awesome! They can be a little messy at times, and they can be a little noisy, but they are pretty, inexpensive, offer eggs, forage for some of their own food, and I have 60 that only cost around $15 a week to feed. They are great beginning animal on a small farm.
I would love horses, but they are too expensive for us, as we would have to fence in a huge pasture, build a stable, buy high quality hey, wormers, vet care, hoof trimming, grooming supplies, lead and halters, ect, ect, ect. Still, some day I hope to get one.

Some good breeds that do well in both cold and warm weather are Black Stars, Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks (they come in a variety of colors), Australorps, and Orpingtons. Leghorns do well too, but they are prone to frostbite.

Best of luck with whatever your decision is!
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My chickens getting drinks


 
Thanks! Looks like a happy flock!

We don't have a horse but we have neighbors that do. We are one of the few subdivisions in Phoenix that allow horses so all the lots are about a half acre or so and we have a common area with a horse exercise pen. We back to South Mountain and horses are allowed on all the trails there. We love seeing them out and about.

I figure it shouldn't be a far cry to allow residents to keep chickens. I am hoping I don't encounter too much resistance.
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