Arizona Chickens

[noodlegirl]

I went chicken outlaw w/o DH full consent. He is tolerating them but I let them free range in our tiny backyard and for some reason they want to sit by the patio door. They have poo'd all over the patio. Can I train them with a water gun or something? I don't want to be mean to them but I am sick of scrubbing poo off the patio.

 

[Mikey D]

I went chicken outlaw w/o DH full consent. He is tolerating them but I let them free range in our tiny backyard and for some reason they want to sit by the patio door. They have poo'd all over the patio. Can I train them with a water gun or something? I don't want to be mean to them but I am sick of scrubbing poo off the patio.

I'm having the same issue with mine (chickens & wife).

We're prolly going to put up a fence and section off the backyard.

 

[Mikey D]

If any one else is interested...

Bulk organic feed purchase is underway!

https://www.facebook.com/BackyardChickenFarmersUnite

Last go around I bought 100 lbs, Tracy bought a half a ton!!! (Not exaggerating)

Saved about $8 per bag.

 

[Memphisjourney2seramas]

fuzzybird- that is so sad. this year we had a bunch of seramas hatch the day before me and DH left on our first ever trip without kids to a wedding in las vegas. I couldn't relax the whole time becuase I was worried about them. 2 did die becuase they got away from the momma and got too cold. It never fells...it is always when you are gone.

 

[Fuzzybird]

fuzzybird- that is so sad. this year we had a bunch of seramas hatch the day before me and DH left on our first ever trip without kids to a wedding in las vegas. I couldn't relax the whole time becuase I was worried about them. 2 did die becuase they got away from the momma and got too cold. It never fells...it is always when you are gone.

Thankyou for your sympathy. I want one of those seramas one of these days. Be my own special indoor birdy.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I went chicken outlaw w/o DH full consent. He is tolerating them but I let them free range in our tiny backyard and for some reason they want to sit by the patio door. They have poo'd all over the patio. Can I train them with a water gun or something? I don't want to be mean to them but I am sick of scrubbing poo off the patio.

I have a small patio area that is surrounded by a 3' high wall. The chickens would love to get into that area and have a good old time in the herb garden. They also would love to sit by the sliding glass door and watch us inside the house. But, we also didn't like the mess and it's a bit much eating lunch with them peering in at us. So, I trained them with a hose sprayer. Surprisingly, it works very well.....for about a few months. Periodically, one will get in and I'll have to spray at her with the hose. Some birds haven't tried to get onto the patio in over a year. I really don't get them all that wet. It's just frightening to them. I also yell, "off the porch" while they're being sprayed and that helps later on. After they hear that once followed by being sprayed, they tend to listen. It saves me actually having to get the hose. It also helps that I have a wall around the area, it's a good visual boundary for them. I still think it would by worth trying even if I didn't have the short wall.

 

[AZBootsie]

If any one else is interested...

Bulk organic feed purchase is underway!

https://www.facebook.com/BackyardChickenFarmersUnite

Last go around I bought 100 lbs, Tracy bought a half a ton!!! (Not exaggerating)

Saved about $8 per bag.

Mikey thankyou for the head up!!!! WOWOWOWOW exciting development. I must have slept through this last time. How did you and the Doc like the feed?? Prices are great .Did you try the nonsoy stuff?? I think that is what I need.

 

[Mikey D]

I have a small patio area that is surrounded by a 3' high wall. The chickens would love to get into that area and have a good old time in the herb garden. They also would love to sit by the sliding glass door and watch us inside the house. But, we also didn't like the mess and it's a bit much eating lunch with them peering in at us. So, I trained them with a hose sprayer. Surprisingly, it works very well.....for about a few months. Periodically, one will get in and I'll have to spray at her with the hose. Some birds haven't tried to get onto the patio in over a year. I really don't get them all that wet. It's just frightening to them. I also yell, "off the porch" while they're being sprayed and that helps later on. After they hear that once followed by being sprayed, they tend to listen. It saves me actually having to get the hose. It also helps that I have a wall around the area, it's a good visual boundary for them. I still think it would by worth trying even if I didn't have the short wall.

We are eventually going to build a brick sitting wall around the edge of the patio. I'm not sure I'm going to try the squirt gun method just yet. Not without as you say a good visual reminder.

Gallo - is the cooler that is the reservoir part of your waterer removable & do you find you have to clean it periodically?

 

[Mikey D]

Mikey thank you for the head up!!!! WOWOWOWOW exciting development. I must have slept through this last time. How did you and the Doc like the feed?? Prices are great .Did you try the nonsoy stuff?? I think that is what I need.

I think the feed is great. I'm interested in the organic for the no-pesticides end of the deal.

I accidentally got the 17% broiler/chick finisher - I thought the forward slash meant "or" not "as such"

The chickens eat it just fine and seem to be happy bouncy healthy chickens.

I'm going to get

2 bags of 16% Organic Layer Mash - 50lb bag - $19.22 ea​

2 bags of 17% Organic Chick Layer Starter - 50lb bag - $19.98 ea

With 7 chickens I seem to be going through 50 lbs in just over a month. I'm guessing that will go up when they start laying.

Silly font change - I want the old format back!!!!!!!

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Welcome RedCandy!

I live in far east Mesa too (Crismon & the Trail). Don't feel bad - I know nothing and that doesn't stop me from posting.

If you were here a week earlier I'd've added a few chicks in with my order as I just put one into Ideal.

If you'd like I'll call them and add a few. The hatch date is Jan. 25th so I'm sure they'd do it.

Let me know what kind and how many & I'll make it happen!

*** I'm not really used to this new format yet***

I'm off to make pierogies! PM me and we'll swap ph#'s and set it up!

*** two or three edits to this one - may be my record!***

Pierogies?? Homemade or box??? My gma took her recipe to the grave with her.