Arizona Chickens

[redrocketrooster]

Today I made a garden box (4 x 4) and planted some seeds, removed 14 bars from the ground, hammered them in again, covered the run (even the though the cloth was cut WAY too small) and painted the bathroom. Today is one of those days where I'm reminded that being a pre-wired bomb of ecstatic bursting at the soders is FREAKIN FANTASTIC. The rain and the clouds that rolled in gave me the perfect temperature to move around comfortably and hammer in the bars since the earth was softer. I also clipped some flight feathers today, the chicks were very easy and quick for the most part. Though my EE ripped a chunk from my hand when I picked her up. Supose she knew her freedom was being snipped.

Can't quite say I don't adore days like this...I wish everyday left me covered in cuts, scratches, soil, mud and bruises.

Oh man gckiddhouse! Your incubator looks just like my "baby" tank for the ball pythons. (it's like an incubator despite already being hatched)

Sorry your day isn't going well Tofu, I'd send you some of my awesome day if I knew how to seal it in a box.

Was wondering how the statues go too, Sock!

 

[redrocketrooster]

Quote:
Really? I thought it would kill it off faster than fire...

OH! So here is a question I've been stuck on...Right now the run is landscape rocks, the chickens don't seem to care. Is it ok?
I feel it's boring and rough, I kinda want to put some grass in but won't the chickens kill it off?

 

[LarryPQ]

I thought rocks would cause bumblefoot issues? That they needed a little cushion for their tootsies?

I bet they would eventually kill it off, but you could section off half at a time...I fill up bread trays with mulch and plant radishes or whatever extra seed I have in them. When the plants are large enought, I dump the tray in the coop. Chicken treat, then chicken toy, and eventually chicken dust bath. Finally, I switch trays.

 

[gckiddhouse]

Quote:
Oh, that's right! Thanks! I am going to go back and edit my post so I can keep it straight! Got i written down, too.

Tofu - hope tomorrow is better. Remember the words of Miss Scarlet, "Tomorrow is another day"

RRR - What a day! I love days like that. So few and far between, however...

I think a little chicken poop is wonderful fertilizer, but a lot is too much. I can't wait to get our garden going because we did keep chickens in there for a couple months last fall. I suspect it will be enough for a great garden! I have heard that tomatoes, especially, like a little chicken poop!

Yes, rocks are a little harsh for chickens. I love Laree's idea. My chickens would love that. I may have to consider doing something like that. I try to rake the rocks out as they turn them up. We have started adding TerrAmigo which I really like the look and smell of. It will eventually just mulch in and it is soft for the chooks to walk on.

Laree - all that stuff on CL went like cookies in a kindergarten classroom! I looked at the links right after you posted and half of them were deleted already! You find good stuff!

Anyone watching LOST tonight!! Oh, I am so excited!

 

[redrocketrooster]

Quote:
I thought so too...Im worried about their feet. But I think the combination of the sun and chickens would kill it off so quickly.
I'm no good at growing much either. What about fake grass? Like in 1/3 the coop or something. The again they might eat it.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

A lot of folks use sand in the coops. I haven't read up on it, but there are some things in the learning center about it. It might be too dry here for it, but it may work well. You might want to read up on it.

 

[cluckin_crazy]

I'd never thought that the rocks would hurt their feet... they hurt mine, so it makes sense... about half of my run is exposed to direct sunlight most of the day, so I would think that sand would get very hot. I could scrape out all the rocks that I can and hit that area with a rototiller I suppose... I don't want to plant grass there because I intend on moving the chickens every other year and using their last location as a garden. I have 2 places in my yard that can facilitate the coop so I'm hoping that works out.

*sigh*... just when I thought I was finally finished with the coop!!

 

[joel david]

Quote:
You think tossing some sand in there now would keep them from completely wiping out the grass? I love the idea of the grass being able to grow for them.

 

[LarryPQ]

You could certainly try! Your chicks are still little, so the grass has a chance to "root". You know, before the chooks toes become till-ers of steel? Isn't a truckload of sand at HOme Depot only~$22?

 

[cluckin_crazy]

might be worth an email...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/zip/1659151656.html