Arizona Chickens

[mclevinson]

Quote:
I put sod down. Although they ate it to death, it still holds water pretty well. I wet it down when it approaches 100 degrees. If you want it to stay alive make a wire topped frame for it, they'll eat what grows through but won't be able to kill it. Freeze qt sized milk jugs and put in their water. I also hung a moving blanket (cheap and tough-not one of those expensive quilted things) from the top of the west end of the cage. I wet it down and as it blows it cools the air a bit. Rachael Bess suggests putting several 14" clay plant saucers in their run, keep filled with water so they can walk in it and stay cool.
I have lots of shavings, they dig down and lay in them. Must insulate somewhat. I put a reflective insulation board between the south wall and the coop (making sure they cannot peck it) I planted around the coop and pen but it won't be mature enough to help out this summer.

I'm new to this so I am constantly looking for tips. Good luck!

 

[pastrymama]

Lyongirl,

So sorry about your hens. I have cochins, brahmas and salmon faverolles(plus various other breeds), but these in particuliar don't like our AZ heat. So I have misters put up in my run about 4 feet off the ground. My dh put them up, so I couldn't complain about the height. But it actually has worked out perfect! The hens LOVE IT when I turn them on and they get a nice soaking and a nice place to lay in when I turn them off. I also have a swamp cooler on wheels in the run that I turn on in the hottest part of the afternoon. It's of pretty good size, not one that would fit in my coop, so I just let it run for a few hours and keeps them happy. They are out in the yard from early morning until about 1 or 2pm, then I need to put them in the run to let the dogs out. My dogs and hens don't play nicely. I lost a pullet last week when she flew over the fence early before dh got up(i was out of town) and the beagle got her. My fault, I hadn't clipped her wing yet. She was 15 weeks. I was going to clip when I got home.

I do have some pullets I can part with. Send me a PM if you are in need. Sorry for your losses.

Oh, and I have a shade sail up as well and we are adding a few more this week. I also planted grapevines along the blockwall and have a ladybanks rose vine covering my chainlink fence and gate to get in to their area. They like to hide under the growout pen since it's up on blocks.

 

[constance]

turkeybreeder and Lyongirl


I am very sorry for your losses.

 

[aurorarose25]

Anyone interested in buying some pet quality LF salmon fervolle pullets that should be laying soon? I have 5 they r $15 each ?

 

[AZKat]

I've got misters up by my coop, and it seems to do a good job of keeping the chickens cool. We got a $20 mister kit at Home Depot, and haven't lost a chicken so I think it was money well spent.

My broody is sitting strong on her nest, but when I peeked in this afternoon, when she hopped up for her coffee break, one of the Marans eggs was missing. It was no where to be found in the coop, and there was no sign of shells or egg guts, so I have no clue.

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

Quote:
I put sod down. Although they ate it to death, it still holds water pretty well. I wet it down when it approaches 100 degrees. If you want it to stay alive make a wire topped frame for it, they'll eat what grows through but won't be able to kill it. Freeze qt sized milk jugs and put in their water. I also hung a moving blanket (cheap and tough-not one of those expensive quilted things) from the top of the west end of the cage. I wet it down and as it blows it cools the air a bit. Rachael Bess suggests putting several 14" clay plant saucers in their run, keep filled with water so they can walk in it and stay cool.
I have lots of shavings, they dig down and lay in them. Must insulate somewhat. I put a reflective insulation board between the south wall and the coop (making sure they cannot peck it) I planted around the coop and pen but it won't be mature enough to help out this summer.

I'm new to this so I am constantly looking for tips. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you've lost a couple chickens already. I lost a couple last year, but didn't the year before. Last year, the heat snuck up on me and I hadn't cooled them down like I did the year before. So far, so good this year.

A few ideas for you: I have a sandy area in my run and I wet it down each morning when it's supposed to be an extra hot day (I give it a good soak), so that by the time it gets hot in the afternoon, the hens have a cool place to lay or stand. Their run is also shaded by large trees. Another idea is to put a large pan of water out there in the afternoons - some chickens like to stand in one (it does get dirty, so you'd have to dump it each evening and then fill it around 10 or 11 (or whatever time you think is best). Make sure they have plenty of ventilation in their coop, so that they don't overheat when they go in to lay their eggs - if the coop is 4-sided and enclosed, maybe you can put some temp nestboxes out in the run during the summer time.

The misters sound like a good idea too.

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

Quote:
I'm so sorry you lost 1 like that, especially one of your favorites. I've actually cried after losing hens to a coyote - it's so awful when they die that way. Was it the broody you got from me or a different ameraucana?

 

[turkeybreeder]

Quote:
I'm so sorry you lost 1 like that, especially one of your favorites. I've actually cried after losing hens to a coyote - it's so awful when they die that way. Was it the broody you got from me or a different ameraucana?

yes it was the broody i gotten from you she was a really nice hen

i did not get a chance to take a picture of her with the chicks she hatched
i still cant believe what happen it has been a really sad day for me
she will be missed my mom said she saw a blue egg so she maybe
decided to lay an egg where the dog was if atleast the egg was not broken
i could atleast taken it to hatch

 

[constance]

They are crowing.

I need to re-home my roos ASAP, they are all starting to crow. They are 9 weeks old, healthy, vaccinated for Marek's, and I have a healthy flock with no known diseases. Welsumers, Wyandottes, Ameraucanas, Olive Eggers, and maybe FBCM. I am attached to them, but they have to go.

I would much rather re-home them here than post on CL. Very special price for BYC'ers. Those that cannot be placed for potential breeding, we will eat, so I am not trying to send them for dinner.

I could have a couple of started pairs if that helps: one each for Blue-roo/Black-pullet Americauna, Welsumer, and maybe/probably FBCM, but I may try to keep him for a while.

The first round of thumbnails are below, click for full image. Round 2 will follow. Please take a look, and if you or someone you know might be interested, PM or email me. I could potentially transport up to Central AZ.

Two Splash BLRW, one with a single comb (purported to mean high fertility), one rose comb. Both very friendly, the rose comb is a lap boy:



One BLRW: Nice boy, stays out of trouble.


Three Welsumer roos, one pullet: Pretty, flighty roos, extremely friendly pullets. I could easily sex these chicks at 4 days by color and pattern (eye stripe and point on head). This line should keep the color sexing trait.


More to follow...

Edited to add photos of the rose comb Wyandotte

 

[constance]

RE Misters:

I am about to hang some and would appreciate hearing people's opinions on the following:

1) How high (I saw Pastrymama's 4 ft)?

2) How often do they come on?

3) How long do you leave them on?

Muchas gracias!