Arizona Chickens

[maryhysong]

So, fellow Arizonans, have any of you had trouble with ravens? We have a lot where I live and just recently they started landing and hanging out on the roof of my run and flying over the yard more often. I thought they were more of a scavenger bird but they seem to be showing an interest in my ducks and chickens... They are not little any more, but I do have a little white silkie that's pretty tiny. I let them free-range a little each day, but only under supervision. One of the ravens flew over the yard, pretty low, even with me standing there - kind of making me nervous.

The ravens haven't bothered mine but a friend says they were going after her eggs & chicks. However, she has a very exposed space, without a real coop to speak of, mostly a covered feeding and roosting area. And she lets her birds lay willy nilly and leaves the eggs out there waiting for a broody to set them.

 

[maryhysong]

We made it back from the hunt this last week. It was an epic failure. My hunting partner has bad knees and ended up falling on one of them the first day, so he was hobbling around like a geriatrics patient. The military sure can reek havoc on the body. Anyway, we ended up driving more than hiking, which was not my plan. Despite seeing some day-old tracks here and there, we never saw a single javelina or mountain lion.

Well if you want pigs come on up our way. We are over run. They are all over Globe in the residential areas also. There's a pack of about 20 that come down my canyon on a regular basis. I wish somebody would shoot them, but not many people seem to hunt pig in this area.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

We made it back from the hunt this last week.  It was an epic failure.  My hunting partner has bad knees and ended up falling on one of them the first day, so he was hobbling around like a geriatrics patient.  The military sure can reek havoc on the body.  Anyway, we ended up driving more than hiking, which was not my plan.  Despite seeing some day-old tracks here and there, we never saw a single javelina or mountain lion. 

Well if you want pigs come on up our way. We are over run. They are all over Globe in the residential areas also. There's a pack of about 20 that come down my canyon on a regular basis. I wish somebody would shoot them, but not many people seem to hunt pig in this area.

Javelina, is related to pigs but are not pigs, despite being commonly referred to as a pig. I think it is their digestive system that is different. Correct me if I am wrong. They are new to North America and are still spreading. I would love to hunt Javelina, if I know how to field dress them correctly. It is my understanding that they have a gland that if not treated properly can destroy the meat. I enjoy game meats, most of the time, however, I have cheated. I haunt in areas the have the sweetest browse. For deer I used to go to and area of bottom land along a river, between corn fields and an old apple orchard.

Javelina are carnivores, I wonder if they will kill animals if given a chance, or if only scavengers? I have heard of packs attacking dogs protecting their yards. Would a pack go after chickens and ducks? They do have Ivory, don't they? Good for ripping and tarring. I have no idea of their temperament.
..........
Powder is the only one laying, Whinny was laying but has stopped. I get so excited when I see color, then the next time I see them it has faded. How long dose this take? When you are waiting for an egg it seems forever. I keep going back and trying to get a definitive age when they start laying. I get one, but... But sun light, time of year, molting, game change. The bet guess is between 19 to 29 weeks with most breeds. :cd some day my eggs will come.

 

[City farm]

Hey my Arizona backyard chicken'ers! I have entered my mare in a contest to win a half priced breeding to the Friesian stallion, Teake van de Noordhof. I would love to have this opportunity for me and my mare Tessa. She is sitting in 2nd place so we do have a chance! 

If you aren't busy, could you please do me a huge favor and click her picture on Facebook and 'like' the picture and the stallions page? This is the link to her contest pic:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...5455143.107294.157142411012145&type=1&theater

Thank you so much!

Dont do face book... Good luck.. Sounds so exciting...

 

[City farm]

We made it back from the hunt this last week.  It was an epic failure.  My hunting partner has bad knees and ended up falling on one of them the first day, so he was hobbling around like a geriatrics patient.  The military sure can reek havoc on the body.  Anyway, we ended up driving more than hiking, which was not my plan.  Despite seeing some day-old tracks here and there, we never saw a single javelina or mountain lion.  We'll try again next year.  With the condition of his knees, I may be going at it alone, though.  Oh, and the first night there, the cold weather cracked the screen on my brand new cell phone, so I'll be off to get that replaced shortly.


Meanwhile, back at home, I missed a whole lot of action.  The Silkies we got from Katie have learned to walk up and down the board to the coop.  The three little Black Copper Marans just fly down.  My wife says they manage to get back up, too.  They are all growing quickly.  Every one of them plumped up nicely.  The chicks are feathering nicely and have been outside the last few weeks, so I think tonight we stop with the heat lamp.  The chicks aren't using it really, but the Barred Rocks are roosting closer to it.  My wife is still fighting me about the heat lamp.  I think I just need to completely remove it today.  Out of sight type deal.

The last four days, we only had one egg a day.  I forgot to have my wife mark them, so I'm guessing Christine and Sleepy just alternated laying days.  The eggs were 42g, 49g, 42g, 47g, and so far today we have a 48g.  Seeing the possible alternating pattern, I don't think one is laying her eggs elsewhere, but I'll wander the yard and check today.

And my almost-11-month-old daughter had a big growth spurt this week!  She looks noticeably taller and has a good little chubbiness going, like she's getting ready for even more.  It is such a beautiful thing to have the perfect baby.  I'm sure all parents say that, though!


There was some absolutely gorgeous photos and developments while I was gone!  I love catching up on you all.

well we will have to get you a few mew hunting buddies... Hopefully ya all will get drawn for the Sam hunt.. We will
talk more about that.. Can't wait to see your beautiful family.. You guys are such great parents..

 

[countrygirl74]

Have any of you ever had scaly mites, lice, worms, or any other kind of bug issue with your chickens? I post regularly on the Natural Chicken Keeping thread and it seems a lot of people in other states have issues with mites & worms often. I'm curious if a lot of it has to do with locations - places where pests like that are just more prominent. Some people have to whitewash their entire coop regularly and everything! Does our dry climate keep a lot of that away? Hmmm... just really interested and curious.

 

[flower]

Regards to mites etc. I do believe that the dryness and sunshine in the SW US helps to deter some of these creepy crawlies but...... The flock needs to be out in the open to experience the wonderful sunshine. A neighbor who moved gave me a pullet and of course I put her into a pen by herself. But alas and alack (ha ha) a mighty storm came up that night and destroy the integrity of the fences and she jumped in with my established flock and infested the entire number with red mites. I found and treated them before terminal damage but it sure was a learning experience.

She had been living within ten feet of my flock but never was allowed to leave her covered pen and dust bath and feel the sun.

 

[flower]

Javelina, is related to pigs but are not pigs, despite being commonly referred to as a pig. I think it is their digestive system that is different. Correct me if I am wrong. They are new to North America and are still spreading. I would love to hunt Javelina, if I know how to field dress them correctly. It is my understanding that they have a gland that if not treated properly can destroy the meat. I enjoy game meats, most of the time, however, I have cheated. I haunt in areas the have the sweetest browse. For deer I used to go to and area of bottom land along a river, between corn fields and an old apple orchard.

Javelina are carnivores, I wonder if they will kill animals if given a chance, or if only scavengers? I have heard of packs attacking dogs protecting their yards. Would a pack go after chickens and ducks? They do have Ivory, don't they? Good for ripping and tarring. I have no idea of their temperament.

..........
Powder is the only one laying, Whinny was laying but has stopped. I get so excited when I see color, then the next time I see them it has faded. How long dose this take? When you are waiting for an egg it seems forever. I keep going back and trying to get a definitive age when they start laying. I get one, but... But sun light, time of year, molting, game change. The bet guess is between 19 to 29 weeks with most breeds.

some day my eggs will come.

Bonnie, I wonder if any of the men who hunt would be willing to include you in their events or maybe you would need to establish a woman's hunting group. Has anyone seen the first in the three part PBS series on the WOMANS MOVEMENT. I do not have a television so I'll wait until I can buy the DVDs.

Bonnie I love your nice profile picture of Powder. She still has some growing to do since her mother looks so much fuller than she does. As far as the eggs color it gets better the next year also. My two white Ameraucanas are consistant layers and each one has a slightly different tint. Oh Boy next year I get to see what my Cream legabars will lay. They are so cute, I am going to get more eggs delivered. as soon as I get cooking again.

 

[flower]

My animals are in AZ but I am back in CA trying to finish the BIG JOB of packing. Before I left I just had to make a picture of my rainbow eggs, So pretty to have all these colors.



Bonnie did a wonderful job of securing my fences and we made a marathon 500 mile drive across route 40 between snow storms. Again Thank you Bonnie !

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Hey my Arizona backyard chicken'ers! I have entered my mare in a contest to win a half priced breeding to the Friesian stallion, Teake van de Noordhof. I would love to have this opportunity for me and my mare Tessa. She is sitting in 2nd place so we do have a chance! 

If you aren't busy, could you please do me a huge favor and click her picture on Facebook and 'like' the picture and the stallions page? This is the link to her contest pic:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...5455143.107294.157142411012145&type=1&theater

Thank you so much!

Done.