Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

Don't be so sure things can't fit through tight spaces.

great video!!!
Our family friends that have a closed coop with chicken wire
have said they find the dead bird carcass all the time..

Hey I keep on wanting to ask if anyone knows of another bird
that lays an egg a day??? 27-36 hours.. So really not a day, you
know what I mean???

 

[GrannysRoost]

great video!!!
Our family friends that have a closed coop with chicken wire
have said they find the dead bird carcass all the time..
Hey I keep on wanting to ask if anyone knows of another bird
that lays an egg a day??? 27-36 hours.. So really not a day, you
know what I mean???

Not sure what you have, but I am sold on my production red I got from the feed store to keep a hatchling company...she layed big extra large eggs all summer and all last winter too, I think I may have one of her offspring but need to catch her laying to know which one. She is very docile and my roos love her too much I also have a 2-month chick of hers with a silkie roo....will be interesting, either a broody red or laying fool....

 

[Bobby Basham]

Quote:

The birds fit through the chicken wire? Or is it hardware cloth? Because I haven't seen any birds remotely close to small enough to fit through chicken wire in my area. About the only thing close are hummingbirds, and since they aren't interested in the feed, there's no worries there. Can you get some pictures up close to compare? The ones online look mostly too large to fit through the chicken wire. Those suckers are small to squeeze through!

I plan on using chain-link/dog kennel structure for my run. The top will even be chainlink, and there will be hardware cloth extending at least 18" up the sides and out under the planter boxes surrounding inside and/or outside the entire run.

What about using aluminum metal screening (as in rolls for screen doors) to cover the rest of the side walls upward from the hardware cloth, and extend it over the entire top of the run to keep out those small, pesky birds? I haven't been to ACE Hardware lately to see what the prices are The run will be fortified on four sides and the top to begin with to keep out the serious predators, and the screening should be enough to keep out those wild birds wanting a free meal. It won't keep out the tasty bugs, though.

Hate to do a repeat, but this is just a pen sketch of my potential run, subject to MANY changes, possibly 10x20 or 12x20, surely enough for six hens max and a small coup. The interior run amenities will come last...outside perches, dust baths, carpet, panelling, misters, spa and salon etc. I may have to call in Candice Olsen or the Property Brother twins from HGTV.

But on a serious note, I don't want the run to be Prissy and fu-fu, but very practical and functional to keep the gals busy while I'm at work. Maybe try to create a miniature ecosystem in this barren back yard. They should be well fed and tired by dusk. No coup decision yet, but plan on keeping the pop door open 24/7 when I do decide.

Okay, gotta do dinner then wheel this 300+ LB Hammond organ and 200 LB Leslie back to the back of the house to the family room. I didn't get to play at the Leo Rich Theatre last month.--BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Happy Almost Halloween

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Happy Almost Halloween

WOW! Are the pics real or photoshopped? The feathers look so lifelike, yet the scale is so large.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

WOW! Are the pics real or photoshopped? The feathers look so lifelike, yet the scale is so large.

My friend posted this on facebook:


http://www.flavorwire.com/339253/20-incredibly-bizarre-vintage-halloween-costumes

 

[kevs-chickadees]

You're lucky you made it a whole year! Boy, they can really put a dent in the feed, can't they? While I love my treadle feeders, I would point out that there are cheaper and easier alternatives. While I don't have any experience with them, the trigger/lever activated bucket feeders are well reviewed and can be seen in this thread. Also see post #10 & #13 in this thread for a very cleaver auto-feeder design. Of course, like a treadle feeder, the success of these types of feeders also depends on training the chickens to use them.

I'm about to go thermo-nuclear on the European House Sparrows in my yard. After returning home this weekend, I discovered that they had completely denuded my snow pea vines. Now they're trying to do the same with the cauliflower and broccoli plants. I built a diabolical sparrow trap last year, tested it and then released the captives after going a bit soft. I think they've finally pushed me over the edge now.

I know what you mean about the stupid birds destroying the garden. Last year I finally had enough, we built a fully enclosed section for the garden. Keeps the dog, chickens, bunnies, and all unwanted sky rats out.

 

[City farm]

Not sure what you have, but I am sold on my production red I got from the feed store to keep a hatchling company...she layed big extra large eggs all summer and all last winter too, I think I may have one of her offspring but need to catch her laying to know which one.  She is very docile and my roos love her too much  I also have a 2-month chick of hers with a silkie roo....will be interesting, either a broody red or laying fool....

No I mean another bird other than a chicken..

 

[parentwarrior]

My Friend did it!!!!! She fought the city of Gilbert when a neighbor complained about her chickens. She was not zoned for it. They grandfathered her in. She can keep the chickens and ducks from what I understand. I will have her post an update when she feels better (sick) but I had to share the good news. It pays to stand your ground and fight. I am very proud of her!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

My friend posted this on facebook:


http://www.flavorwire.com/339253/20-incredibly-bizarre-vintage-halloween-costumes

Those were absolutely hilarious! I'm amazed at how detailed and clever they were for the times. Just as funny and apropos is that the top prize was 40 Guineas.

O.K., I realize the prize was the British coin, but how perfect.