Hello from Phoenix Arizona :)

BruceAZ

Songster
May 18, 2016
883
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Valley of the Sun :)
Hello,

I'm new here (also new to gardening and raising chickens) I found this place when I was browsing around for information regarding gardening and raising backyard chickens.

We started the garden around late February 2016 and raising baby chicks around early April 2016.

It's still spring but the temperature is already in the triple digits here.

We have about 7 citrus trees, 1 pomegranate, 1 grape, 2 blueberries, 5 tomatoes along with melons, watermelons, peppers, onions, basil, etc.. We have space for 3-4 more 4'x8' raised garden beds so we will add more later.

Originally, i put them all in the north side of the backyard but it was too hot and the trees/plants were suffering from sunburn. We moved the trees to the east and west side of the house to reduce the hours of sun exposure.

I didn't know about sun burn at first so i contacted the people at this site. They sent two USDA agents to check on my citrus trees. I learned a lot from the USDA agents.
http://saveourcitrus.org/


I guess the instructions that were included with the plants/trees are not suitable for AZ heat (the trees are from a nursery in CA).

I have some pictures of my DIY chicken coop as well.

Nice to meet you all
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Nice to meet you, your gardens and trees sound so nice ... and thanks for the citrus tree link. Over 100 and still spring sounds like quite the challenge so glad you are managing it.
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so glad you have joined us.

Great intro, thanks for sharing. Would love to see pics of your coop.

Congrats on your new adventures - gardening and raising chickens are quite rewarding, and wish you success in both endeavors.
 
welcome-byc.gif
so glad you have joined us.

Great intro, thanks for sharing. Would love to see pics of your coop.

Congrats on your new adventures - gardening and raising chickens are quite rewarding, and wish you success in both endeavors.

i saw a thread about pictures of chicken coops so i posted them there instead

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/596294/post-your-chicken-coop-pictures-here/13290#post_17030952

The problems i noticed with raising chickens in your backyard

1- the smell
2- the flies


I clean out the coop+ run each day when i let the chickens free roaming in the yard for about 30-60 minutes. It helps controlling the smell. I also have a compost bin in the corner as well.

The flies-- i tried the fly trap that i bought at wal-,mart for $5 ? it worked but they didn't last as long and i felt like it attracted even more flies. My guess is because of the smelly bait that being used.

this is the site that i use to buy various plants and gardening stuffs

i'm looking at this fly trap they have
http://www.groworganic.com/pvfs-wood-fly-trap-12-x12-x12.html


i think it's cheaper to just build my own. It looks like 1x2, mosquitoes mesh wire, and 1-2 hinges

but other than that. .what's a good way to control the amount of flies?

Thanks
 
I don't know if it works but, when I started on BYC several years ago, many folks talked of the success they had using those little Vanilla tree car deodorants. They said the smell repelled flies and they hung them inside( out of chicken reach) and outside the coop.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT
 
i saw a thread about pictures of chicken coops so i posted them there instead

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/596294/post-your-chicken-coop-pictures-here/13290#post_17030952

The problems i noticed with raising chickens in your backyard

1- the smell
2- the flies


I clean out the coop+ run each day when i let the chickens free roaming in the yard for about 30-60 minutes. It helps controlling the smell. I also have a compost bin in the corner as well.

The flies-- i tried the fly trap that i bought at wal-,mart for $5 ? it worked but they didn't last as long and i felt like it attracted even more flies. My guess is because of the smelly bait that being used.

this is the site that i use to buy various plants and gardening stuffs

i'm looking at this fly trap they have
http://www.groworganic.com/pvfs-wood-fly-trap-12-x12-x12.html


i think it's cheaper to just build my own. It looks like 1x2, mosquitoes mesh wire, and 1-2 hinges

but other than that. .what's a good way to control the amount of flies?

Thanks

Thanks for link : your coop/run is a lot like mine. I did more than double the size with an additional covered run after my hens were 1 year olds.
I don't know if your climate is appropriate for sand in the coop/run - but with the sand the poop dries quickly and there's no smell or fly issues in mine.

PDZ also helps to cut down on smells and moisture - and I think you can use it no matter what bedding you use.
 
Thanks for link : your coop/run is a lot like mine. I did more than double the size with an additional covered run after my hens were 1 year olds.
I don't know if your climate is appropriate for sand in the coop/run - but with the sand the poop dries quickly and there's no smell or fly issues in mine.

PDZ also helps to cut down on smells and moisture - and I think you can use it no matter what bedding you use.

It might be too hot even if I cover the roof completely, since it's still spring and yet it's getting close to 100 degree already. The temperature is around 115-120 around July and August .
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I'm planning to add another 4'x8' run in the future, so the total length will be 4'x16' should be plenty for 5 hens

if you don't mind me asking.. what is DPZ ?

i use pine shavings for in the coop but not the run . since a 2 cu ft of pine shaving is around $7 at wal-mart. I'm trying to keep cost down.
 
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It might be too hot even if I cover the roof completely, since it's still spring and yet it's getting close to 100 degree already. The temperature is around 115-120 around July and August .
roll.png


I'm planning to add another 4'x8' run in the future, so the total length will be 4'x16' should be plenty for 5 hens

if you don't mind me asking.. what is DPZ ?

i use pine shavings for in the coop but not the run . since a 2 cu ft of pine shaving is around $7 at wal-mart. I'm trying to keep cost down.

Gee, I thought Georgia was hot. This year we're having a really unusually mild Spring, haven't hit over 90 yet :) We do get heat up to 105-108 - but my coop/run is totally covered and under deciduous trees is much cooler.

PDZ is Horse Stall Freshner - locally I can get it at Tractor Supply - mix it into wet areas and it dries them out and stops the smells moisture causes. It is safe if the flock eats some :)

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/sweet pdz
 

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