Arizona Chickens

[Fuzzybird]

Quote:

So sorry! I too would report this. It is surely animal cruelty.

Aw geez! So sorry! I would be on the war path for any kids with bb gun! Do call the police.

 

[Mahonri]

My Blue Copper Olive Egger (my only olive egger) FINALLY laid her first EGG! She and the egg are gorgeous and after 9 and a half months I'm happy.

 

[parentwarrior]

My Blue Copper Olive Egger (my only olive egger) FINALLY laid her first EGG! She and the egg are gorgeous and after 9 and a half months I'm happy.

Wow! So cool! I was amazed how much stronger the fresh eggs shells are compared to store bought. A big difference. I have never heard of that type of chicken. I will have to look it up.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Thanks so much for you folks not flaming me. I meant no harm, and have been rather calloused after being in the legal profession for all these years, seeing nothing but the bad. The comment about asswhipping doesn't solve everything, but my mom never said, "Just wait until your Father gets home." She laid us to rest before he got home. He would come home, finding us in different corners sniveling, and would say, "what's wrong with them?". She would say, "I had to lite 'em up because the did/didn't do(....)."

We actually got many good kids in our church, working on their Masters and PHD's, earning scholarships galore. All kids aren't bad, and I apologize for coming off that way.

Anyhoo, no pets here yet, but I think chickens (and other pets) are very therapeutic, and I need take a chill-pill and get some. It may bring down my stress levels and being grumpy. Working with the legal stuff all day, I come home only to watch Judge Judy, Peoples' Court, Judge Joe Brown, and other legal stuff. I can't let the job go, and that's not healthy.

I'd rather sit out in the backyard, sipping my favorite beverage, and enjoy the antics and entertainment of my (future) feathered friends. How do your chickens affect you after a long day of work? I like the fact that many of your girls will peck at your feet, wanting to be held and loved on, eating treats out of your hand, falling asleep while you stroke their wattles. That is just the neatest thing.

Of course, I could make time for them, being single, and don't have to deal with spouse and kids, getting the meals on the table asap etc. I can deal with a baloney sandwich and some red koolaid, watching the kooky cluckers, and call it a day. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[beehappy4ever]

Today i came home soooo excited to see my chicks when i stumbled upon the saddest thing i have ever had to go through. 7 of my babies were dead. Upon closer inspection it appears that they have been shot with a bb gun. Im not sure who did this but i wanna cry!!! There was 3  still alive and my duck was all good but yet i am shocked that something like this would happen for no reason

So sorry to hear that, how rotten for someone to do that!

 

[Demosthine]

Thanks so much for you folks not flaming me. I meant no harm, and have been rather calloused after being in the legal profession for all these years, seeing nothing but the bad. The comment about asswhipping doesn't solve everything, but my mom never said, "Just wait until your Father gets home." She laid us to rest before he got home. He would come home, finding us in different corners sniveling, and would say, "what's wrong with them?". She would say, "I had to lite 'em up because the did/didn't do(....)."

We actually got many good kids in our church, working on their Masters and PHD's, earning scholarships galore. All kids aren't bad, and I apologize for coming off that way.

Anyhoo, no pets here yet, but I think chickens (and other pets) are very therapeutic, and I need take a chill-pill and get some. It may bring down my stress levels and being grumpy. Working with the legal stuff all day, I come home only to watch Judge Judy, Peoples' Court, Judge Joe Brown, and other legal stuff. I can't let the job go, and that's not healthy.

I'd rather sit out in the backyard, sipping my favorite beverage, and enjoy the antics and entertainment of my (future) feathered friends. How do your chickens affect you after a long day of work? I like the fact that many of your girls will peck at your feet, wanting to be held and loved on, eating treats out of your hand, falling asleep while you stroke their wattles. That is just the neatest thing.

Of course, I could make time for them, being single, and don't have to deal with spouse and kids, getting the meals on the table asap etc. I can deal with a baloney sandwich and some red koolaid, watching the kooky cluckers, and call it a day. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Hey Bobby,

I'm in Law Enforcement, so I completely understand where you're coming from. It is so easy to get addicted to the job and let it rule your life. I remember many nights where I would be off of work and be watching "Police Women of XXXX County" or something similar. I hate the Judge XXXX shows, though. They irritate the crap out of me.

Animals can be very therapeutic. I have always had a dog and it helped bring down my stress levels. My last dog was the most gentle Golden Retriever I've ever met and he knew exactly what I needed. I could come home and sit down, but he'd respond immediately. He was by the front door as soon as he heard the motorcycle. If I needed loving, he'd set his head on my lap until I pet him. If he thought I needed to be active, he'd grab a ball or rope and tug on my leg until I went out back with him. Unfortunately, I had to put him down about a year ago, at fourteen years old. My new German Shepherd is too young and rowdy for my tastes, but he'll be great once he matures and calms down.

From what I've seen, heard and experienced so far with the chickens, they would be a great stress relief. I am looking forward to getting some chicks this week, if my wife follows through with her agreement. I think it'll help out, much the same way you explained sitting on the porch with an ice cold drink (or hot coffee in winter) with them.

Keep your head up and find a way out, brother. It'll eat you alive and you'll get burned out. How long have you been doing it? The lawyers I know have no social life and are all work. They get down, grumpy and end up passing away at an early age. Stick around and I hope you get some chicks soon. It'll help out.

 

[Bobby Basham]

This deeply disturbs me.

Where were your babies that they could have been shot by a BB gun? Call the Sheriffs Department or Animal Control. Kids are cruel, and have nothing better to do but wreak havoc on others. Maybe they're all not bad kids, but have bad judgement, succumbing to peer pressure. I blame their parents and all the media exposure (TV/Internet, whatever) contributing to that type of behavior. I don't know about the sale of BB guns to minors and/or juveniles, but, if I were a parent, I would know if there was one in the house. I've read hundreds of Police reports where 16 year old kids have 9mm guns...what's up with that? I pay the mortgage/food and utilities here, and have the right to search every room, crack and crevice in this house

I would hate to catch someone actually in the act, because I would probably be facing some serious jail time. Then again, maybe not if I'm protecting what is mine. A malicious human predator is no different than an animal predator trying to take out your flock. If a person or a bunch of kids are out there shooting and tormenting my chickens for sport, let's just say after many verbal warnings, I have no problem removing undesireable persons/kids from the gene pool so that they may not breed anymore bad blood. Trespassing is illegal, and you have to be pretty close to shoot a baby chicken, of all God's helpless creatures. I know it sounds cruel, but it is what it is.

You've heard about mean, people-aggressive roosters breeding mean chicks. The same goes for mean-***, disrespectful kids. Read up on Genetics and what all the breeders go through to achieve the Standard of Perfection, weeding out undesireable traits while keeping the good ones. You have a right to protect your property, and no one should have to come home to see that disaster, and I would be mad as a wet hen.

Maybe the Sherrif/Animal Control officers could look over the area for foot prints, etc., and go from there, and maybe question some of the neighbors. You'd be surprised at how many parents and/or neighbors have no problem squealing on those offenders. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[Bobby Basham]

Thanks Demosthine,

I've been at the Pima County Attorneys Office for 21 years and can retire next October, 2013. I've come to know many Judges and former prosecutors/ turned judges and many police officers/investigators. My job, after moving from Felony Criminal six years ago to Misdemeanors, is mentally challenging. I have to type up all those hundreds of complaints/summons/warrants to give to the Constables, and that's just a tip of the iceburg.

Those shows on TV are so petty and can't believe the cases presented. I also like the HGTV, History, Food Network, Sci-Fi and Animal Planet. I also used to ride a big Harley LowRider back in the day, but sold it because of the inattentive, idiot drivers out here. That ended up being a $6,000 down payment/trade-in on my first grand piano. Much safer to play in the living room than on the streets.

Your golden retriever sounded like a gem, and sure he lived a long, loving life. I'm sure the new German Shepherd will mature and calm down after that playful stage. I wouldn't mind having a small dog and cat plus my chickens. That would be my complete family, hoping they would all get along.

I'm going at it slowly, planning my coop/run this fall and ordering some babies in the spring. I've got some issues about retirement since I have a house payment now, and don't want to sit around the house retired,broke and can't feed myself, let alone new babies. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[Demosthine]

Bobby, I'm not sure how you made it 21 years and are still going. I'm coming up on ten years and the political cow patties is getting extremely old. My best friend is a Constable up near my house, so I know all about that end of the spectrum, too. Our jobs are severely under-appreciated and under-paid. I would still try to retire if I were you, but find another job in it's place that is far less stressful. If you like the outdoors and this type of stuff, I think it would be pretty cool working at Lowe's or Home Depot in the nursery or lumber departments. But I hate cats with a passion. Otherwise, it sounds good.

Ah, yes, the idiots on the road in Arizona. I ride my Magna to work every day and I know you understand how many times I've almost been taken out.

Good luck on the planning and keep us updated. If you're ever in the Peoria area, shoot me a PM and you're welcome over for dinner. We always enjoy having company over. My wife worked D.O.C. for a few years, too, so the stories we could all tell...

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Could have been a great horned owl if it occurred between dusk and dawn, give or take a bit.