Arizona Chickens

[Gallo del Cielo]

Got a wormhole in that coop?

Maybe she's related to Billiam's Houdini?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:

Gallo,

that is simply mind-blowing to me! How cool! wow.....I wish we had your mad skillz with the design and implementation of those sorts of projects..........ours come out pretty redneck ram-shackle

"It started with a hole in the ground..."

BTW I drive to Georgia tomorrow! Ladies hopefully to follow sooner rather than later. I am going to miss them so much. I'm tempted to sneak 1 or 2 with me now, but it wouldn't be fair as I don't have a good setup for them there yet.

I also don't really know how we're getting them there in a couple months down the road?! Has anyone moved 20ish chickens such a long ways on here before? We don't even have a vehicle that will hold them right now...I can downsize if I have to, but there are some who have been through so much with us that I just can't imagine parting with them....

People who exhibit take lots of birds long distances often. For travelling at this time of year, unless you have air conditioned space for them (inside a truck/SUV/motor home), you need to travel at night when the temperatures are cooler and reflected and absorbed heat will not be a factor. In a couple of months that will not be as much a factor. Make sure they have plenty of ventilation. Plastic dog crates, wire small animal or rabbit cages, wire dog kennels, cardboard boxes, plastic bins with plenty of air holes. At this time of year, I would opt away from the plastic, and be cautious about the cardboard; in two months that won't likely be an issue. The good thing about solid wall containers is using shavings in the bottom keeps them cleaner, dryer and less odorous. Make sure that they are shaded whenever there is sun.

FWIW, I can easily fit far more than 20 birds into my Excursion (I think I figured out a few months ago that the passenger and cargo space would hold a few less than 100). What breeds do you have? I can give better cage recommendations if I know that.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

So's I goes out to the coop last night to lock up the girls.

1,2,3,4,,,,8,9,10

Ooops

1,2,3...8,9,10

Someone's missing.

I goes back into the human domicile & gets me a flashlight.

Go back 1...10

Who's gone?

Dot, Dash, Freaky, Fuzzy, Princess, Gretchen, Gisell, where's Meow?

1,,,10

Now the coop is only 4 x 17.

Mikey can count to eleven - been teaching them number things for quite a spell now.

Not too many places to hide.

Meow is gone.

What the heck?

Go out this AM, scream "Where's my cluckers?!?"

Meow doesn't come runn'n up.

Let the ladies out, Meow pops out.

Let me say that again...

What the heck?

Some one want to tell me where she was hiding?

Freak'n chickens!

Check out that foreclosed doghouse with rollup awning for a nest of eggs!

 

[kukupecpec]

Chickens will love the grass & most all plants in general.

Gallo & others do most excellent with grape vines & they do not need anything other than the chain link.

Careful with feeding just scratch though, it does not have enough protein, especially for chicks.

I've got them on layer feed now, so their pooh is s much nicer normal consistency, but they still get the scratch as a treat if they eat it from my hand. I'll definitely have to toss some in the planner boxes then so they can go at it!

Where does one buy grape vines? Do they come as baby vines? Will they stay green year round? Do i need to cover them from the frost in the winter? And any idea how many plants i will need for a 15x6 run? It only needs to cover two sides and the roof, the other two 15 and 6 ft sides are already solid.

 

[AZTiff]

Oh bummer. Yeah, you definitely need grower. It didn't say "layer" on it did it?

It doesn't say anything but organic chicken feed. The girls are growing but I am hoping they haven't missed out on some nutrients.

 

[AZTiff]

Bulk purchase of fresh organic every two months. We get 3 - 4 pallets shipped - about $24 a bag including shipping.

http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/...cken-feed-for-huge-savings?xg_source=activity

The October order form is out already.


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHZYcDlHTDN1bkVYYWwybUZLRWduOWc6MA#gid=0

Use Paypal and follow Scott's directions so as not to encumber a fee.

The chickens love it - I've had them compare it to 3 different store bought samples & they prefer the good stuff!

Pick up is at (Ohh gosh I hope I'm remembering correctly) Bakers Nursery

Thanks Mikey!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Where does one buy grape vines? Do they come as baby vines? Will they stay green year round? Do i need to cover them from the frost in the winter? And any idea how many plants i will need for a 15x6 run? It only needs to cover two sides and the roof, the other two 15 and 6 ft sides are already solid.

I got mine at Mesquite Valley Growers (out on Speedway, just east of Pantano). Now would be a good time to plant too. They will loose their leaves with the first frost and will remain dormant until spring. They're cold hardy, so no need to protect them. One plant would be pretty good, but maybe two would be better. It will take some time for them to grow enough in a season to cover the space you have (maybe a couple years). I'd recommend Thompson seedless, Flame Seedless and Black Monukka seedless. I think that White Pearlette also do well here. Get the tallest plant you can so that the tips of the vines will quickly grow out of the reach of jumping chickens. You can see pictures of the grape vines on my run on "my coop" page just under my avatar.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: How old are your birds? Do not feed layer to chicks--only to birds that are laying or nearly at point of lay.

Grapes are deciduous--they die back during winter. Most nurseries carry them, but probably not at this time of year. They are frost hardy--think of all the areas of the world that produce wine--many (not all) have far colder winters than we do. Two to three vines will cover that, but not in one year. Might consider getting some annual vines to fill in until the perennial grapes grow large enough to provide shade. Or find an ever green vine to provide some year round shade and supplement with the grapes to provide deeper summer shade.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Brand? Where did you purchase?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
If it doesn't say it on the bag, it should on the tag connected to the bag that details the ingredients. It's important not to feed layer feed until they are actually laying or very close to laying age. What brand was it?