Arizona Chickens

[Gallo del Cielo]

Actually, that's exactly where I got the idea, Gallo. I picked up a barrel for $10 off Craig's List and the culled wood was a total of $3.06 at Home Depth, for treated lumber no less. It's a white barrel and will always be in the sun. I was thinking about having a black barrel for winter and white for summer. Maybe if I close off more of the opening, it'll retain some heat during the cold weather. Either way, I'll have the mealworms year round.

The aquarium is staying inside, so it'll always be between 70-80*. Good to know the hotter correlates to the life span. We only have the two chicks right now, so I won't need a good production for about a year, when we've added a few more. And combined with the free range and red flame grapes, plus the moringa tree, they'll be very well fed!

That sounds like a good plan on both counts. Smokin' deal on the barrel too! I've been looking around here to make the same thing and the cheapest I've seen is $25 for the white food grade barrels.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Welcome ccmarie and maryhysong!

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]We are glad to have you join our group.[/FONT]

 

[bcluff]

Question: I bought 3 call ducks recently. The lady said they were normally quiet. BUT NO!! I am worried about my neighbors and having to get rid of them. Any suggestions?

 

[Demosthine]

That sounds like a good plan on both counts. Smokin' deal on the barrel too! I've been looking around here to make the same thing and the cheapest I've seen is $25 for the white food grade barrels.

Well, if you were closer or you are planning on coming up any time soon, I can get some more. I'm on the opposite end of Phoenix from you, though, in far North Peoria. He has two more blues for sure. He said he had a total of five available, less the one I bought. Yeah, I thought $10 each was a great deal. I didn't have room for more than one, though. I had picked up the lumber for the stand, plus the rain gutter, and still had my daughter. My 4Runner holds it's own usually, but two of those barrels was just too much.

I'll let you all know how it goes. I built the stand tonight, but I have to buy some more caster wheels. I'm fresh out after building my welding cart. Already have some food scraps in it, too. I'm out of here for night.

Sleep well everyone!

 

[Demosthine]

Question: I bought 3 call ducks recently. The lady said they were normally quiet. BUT NO!! I am worried about my neighbors and having to get rid of them. Any suggestions?

I was going to jokingly say, "Well, the holidays are coming up," but then I looked up some images. If it's the ones with the green heads and neck, they are absolutely beautiful! The call ducks were gorgeous in general. I wonder if I can sneak a grey call duckling in with the next chicks that I buy. "Oops, honey! That isn't a chicken!!!"

No idea on keeping them quiet, though. I'm always looking for more knowledge. Let us know how things go.

 

[Mikey D]

Welcome to the new peeps - busier than a 1 armed paper hanger these days - gitt'n 5-6 outta 11 & two broody's

That wellie is start'n to look peak'd, pale comb & all.

Maybe have to build a broody box...

 

[beehappy4ever]

Question: I bought 3 call ducks recently. The lady said they were normally quiet. BUT NO!! I am worried about my neighbors and having to get rid of them. Any suggestions?

My sister had call ducks and she couldnt handle the noise so finally had them meet their maker, she said never again would she have call ducks. This coming from a lady with goats, chickens, emu's, cats, dogs and lives on an acre mini farm in California. What type of neighborhood do you live in?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Do realize that backyard chickens will lay reliably for quite a few years, and that years old birds tend to be quite tough. I have 10 year old birds who still lay, albeit not regularly. At 5 years, they laid quite regularly.

 

[parentwarrior]

Do realize that backyard chickens will lay reliably for quite a few years, and that years old birds tend to be quite tough. I have 10 year old birds who still lay, albeit not regularly. At 5 years, they laid quite regularly.

Wow! How cool. 10 years old! I did not realize they live that long.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote: Do realize that backyard chickens will lay reliably for quite a few years, and that years old birds tend to be quite tough. I have 10 year old birds who still lay, albeit not regularly. At 5 years, they laid quite regularly.

Excellent point! Also, you should really read up on flock integration. They are very social creatures and disrupting their group can be stressful on them. If eating them is a goal for you, I would think about using the inevitable broodies to hatch eggs, eat the young roosters and sell or give away the pullets you don't need. It also reduces the odds of bringing in diseases. Just suggesting that as another way of approaching it.