Arizona Chickens

[5pinkarrows]

nurseshelly--Your yard is gorgeous! I can't believe that is in AZ!

Laree--Patch is beautiful! The others are cute, too.

Pastrymama--I am really sorry about your chicks. That is so disappointing!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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Ravens are among the MANY species of birds protected by the Migratory Birds Treaty Act, so I strongly caution you to NOT consider hunting or shooting them. Hefty fines ($$$$$) and jail time would not be much fun.

Exactly what i researched but tell you the truth they are so hard on all other breeds of birds I do not understand why they are protected. I saw one knock another small bird out of the air this morning. I noticed when I first moved to AZ how few birds species there are here compared to everywhere else I have lived, now I know why!

There are many, many species of birds...some of the best US birding locations are in Arizona. Just all birds do not visit all places.


Yes, I agree that birds that probably should not be protected are, but it is an international treaty that dates back over 100 years. Getting treaty changes agreed to by many nations is probably not likely to occur. There is a lot of latitude that COULD be worked with, but isn't. The basic concept has worked...many species that were in ever declining number and in danger of extinction are NOT. What would help is recognising that many of the birds that were originally protected (to prevent them becoming hat ornaments!) are no longer in any danger, and no longer need that level of protection. For mammals, it is usually allowed to kill a predator, even if it is endangered, when it is attacking one's stock. With an avian, no matter how healthy the population, this is not the case.

 

[nurseshelly]

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It's all good

I'm sure we will meet up again sometime!

 

[nurseshelly]

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Your yard looks even more beautiful in person!

Thanks! This time of year is great, every flower around is going strong

 

[nurseshelly]

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Thanks! In the summer it will look more like AZ. Unfortunately the roses don't like it much when it gets into the 100s ... they end up with little bitty blooms and just look sad in general. This year I was good and remembered to cut them back to canes - it's why they are so crazy. It's so hard to do though because when it gets cool they get really pretty and are as nice as now. Then I have to chop them all off to cane them and it's really hard to do when they look so good. If I don't, they look cruddy all the next year though. So have learned just to chop and give roses to the neighbors when I cane them. I usually do it after the night time freeze is finished for the year.
Must go to bed, Easter Bunny will be here early I'm sure!

 

[Mahonri]

Have a blessed Easter everyone.

Looking forward to the next week and next few months in general as my little one feather out and then I'll be selling a few of my older hens. Still lay nice big eggs but the blue color has faded through the laying cycle. I'm trying to keep all of my Blue Wheaten and sell the Wheatens.

I'll also have a couple of marans available. If I end up giving them away, Laree will get them. Did I tell you she vaccinated all of my chicks! She's AWESOME!

 

[Mandymooligan]

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I understand this, I have been a dedicated birder/photographer for decades in every state I have lived in (Montana, Washington, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas) . I am looking forward to getting out and about in different areas in AZ. So far what I have seen here (Chino Valley)are RAVENS, sparrows, a few finches and doves. I have had a few hummingbirds at my feeders since last week. I have lots of feeders out and hoping for more variety. I have no intentions of harming any ravens but my hopes of allowing my chickens to free range are obliterated.

 

[LarryPQ]

Happy Easter, everyone!!

I am just sitting here, listening to the kids brawl over Easter baskets, hoping I can absorb enough caffine before they break out the chocolate bunnies.

 

[leanna1017]

I have big pans of water in my coops so my girls can cool their feet. (Hen pedicure?) They do end up using it as a potty too. Does anyone know if I can dump this water into my planting beds or is it too "hot" with all the chicken poop in it?

 

[LarryPQ]

It should be fine...but perhaps you can alternate days?


I keep the mulch pile in the coop, and dump the water in there--it keeps the mulch pile cooking, and the fly levels down in the main run.