Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

I have some seeds that were sent to me a little while ago.  I'll count how many there are and see about giving you some next weekend when you come up.  I'm excited too, although I haven't gotten very many people reserving at all.  I think you just two of you all.  The third had to back out.  That's ok, though.  We'll still have a good ol' time.  And I still have those mealworms ready that I posted on Craig's List, so you can take them, too.  I'll just stick to the $5 request, though.  It's a good chunk of worms!

I've had golf balls in my nesting box for the last two months or so, but having girls that just barely started laying, so I can't comment on the broodiness.  I have not heard or read that anywhere else, though.  All I've heard is that it's supposed to help them know where to lay the eggs.  I know my two Barred Rocks shoved the straw around and then moved the three golf balls in to the hollowed out nest.  Then, they've laid all their eggs right there.  I'd say that part of the rumor was definitely true.  It doesn't even seem to matter that they are white golf balls and the girls lay brown eggs.

Oh yeah for sure on the meal worms
I am going to try and put them in...what the heck..
Re post the invite.. Sometimes people just thumb threw & can miss the post..

 

[Demosthine]

In that same publication on the second to last page under commission order 19 for General Dove the third season date says Sep. 1, 2012 - Aug 31, 2013 and the legal wildlife is Any Eurasian collared dove. I actually found the information about them being invasive on another website while trying to familiarize myself with what they looked like. http://projectfeederwatch.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/eurasian-collared-doves-conquering-america/

Well, you are in fact right. That's good to know. Looking at the dates, I misread that third "Season" and didn't realize it was the full year through the end of August. It's weird that Euroasian Collared Doves are specifically mentioned in the November to January season directly above it. And to think I'm not one of the "stupid" hunters that I know... I pity some of these less educated hunters that try to read through this stuff.

Thanks for clarifying and even more so for the link. It provides a lot more information than AzGFD. Now to go find some of those pests...

 

[MagicChicken]

Sigh. I finally had four good laying hens and was getting ready to process the fifth hen who has not been productive since July. She had been company for one of the older hens, so I've been keeping her. Looks like she just got a reprieve. I went out for a couple of hours yesterday late afternoon. Most of the hens were out. One was in the next box in the coop. Everything was fine. When I got back about an hour after sunset I went to close the pop door. Uh oh. There were feathers all over the inside of the coop and one bird was missing. It was the bird who had been in the nest box. Something came through the pop door and got her. No blood or body parts left behind. Just feathers. I'm assuming it was a coyote but I don't know. It was hard to see any tracks in the darkness, and I couldn't find any tracks this morning. But I am not known for my tracking skills.

I'd make the pop door smaller but then the fat chicken wouldn't be able to get through.

Looking for a bright side, this predation could be considered selecting for hens who lay early in the day, before I open the pop door. I don't really know if she was taken while she was on the next box. It could be coincidence. But there were no other color feathers in the coop, and I would expect feathers from everybody if the attack had occurred after all the birds had gone in to roost - they all would have flapped around in panic and some feathers would likely have been lost. So I'm guessing the attack happened when the late-laying hen was in the coop by herself.

If I could get the new hens back into the coop when I'm leaving I would be much happier, but they don't come when I call like the older moochy girls do. The birds are so much happier outside I don't want to leave them all locked in the hoop coop all day. Crossing my fingers this was a one-time occurrence. I'm not optimistic.

 

[Demosthine]

BACKYARD BARBEQUE​

ALL ARE WELCOME​

Ok, just in case anyone missed it, my wife and I are hosting a get-together on Sunday, March 10th at my house. We'll have everyone start arriving at around 1600 Hours (04:00pm) and we'll probably have dinner around 1700 Hours (05:00pm). About 1730 Hours (05:30pm), we can light up the beehive fireplace and sit around chatting. We also have a swimming pool, but I think it will be too cold for most people. You're more than welcome to swim if it tickles your fancy. Kids are welcome as well. We have a great playground with a tetherball, too. My 6- and 8-year old daughters will be thrilled with company.

We're doing it potluck style, but we'll provide some flounder, tilapia, chicken and pork chops depending on what everyone wants. We'll have a Hawaiian pasta salad as well. The only other thing confirmed so far is cole slaw. Alcohol is welcome, but if you choose to bring your own alcohol, please be mindful it is family oriented and make sure you have a designated driver, too. I've never had a problem with this, but in my line of work, I won't chance it, either. Please message me with a confirmation so I know how many people are coming and what you're bringing. That way, we can have a nice variety. I'll send my address and phone number back as well.

Hope to see you all there!!!

 

[Demosthine]

Sigh. I finally had four good laying hens and was getting ready to process the fifth hen who has not been productive since July. She had been company for one of the older hens, so I've been keeping her. Looks like she just got a reprieve. I went out for a couple of hours yesterday late afternoon. Most of the hens were out. One was in the next box in the coop. Everything was fine. When I got back about an hour after sunset I went to close the pop door. Uh oh. There were feathers all over the inside of the coop and one bird was missing. It was the bird who had been in the nest box. Something came through the pop door and got her. No blood or body parts left behind. Just feathers. I'm assuming it was a coyote but I don't know. It was hard to see any tracks in the darkness, and I couldn't find any tracks this morning. But I am not known for my tracking skills.

I'd make the pop door smaller but then the fat chicken wouldn't be able to get through.

Looking for a bright side, this predation could be considered selecting for hens who lay early in the day, before I open the pop door. I don't really know if she was taken while she was on the next box. It could be coincidence. But there were no other color feathers in the coop, and I would expect feathers from everybody if the attack had occurred after all the birds had gone in to roost - they all would have flapped around in panic and some feathers would likely have been lost. So I'm guessing the attack happened when the late-laying hen was in the coop by herself.

If I could get the new hens back into the coop when I'm leaving I would be much happier, but they don't come when I call like the older moochy girls do. The birds are so much happier outside I don't want to leave them all locked in the hoop coop all day. Crossing my fingers this was a one-time occurrence. I'm not optimistic.

Well, no loss is a good loss, but at least it was only the one hen. Gotta look at the bright side, though, right?

I don't have a problem getting my older girls in at night. They go straight to the roost as it approaches dusk. They make quite the noise and heard the smaller ones underneath the coop, since the Silkies and new Marans haven't figured out how to get up the ramp. I think our consistency with putting them away at that time every night was what helped the most. To help get yours in the habit, though, start giving them a treat towards and inside the coop when you want them to come. If you rattle the cup a bit, they'll recognize that noise. It's just like Pavlov's dogs and the training. Eventually, they should recognize the cup and go directly to the coop. They'll start recognizing the time of daylight and/or when you walk outside and go to the coop door, too. Just keep working with them. They are really quite smart when it comes down to things like that.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

FLOWER I got her at Pratt's, they were supposed to be SLW. The young woman that waited on me was not one of the staff one of the knowlagable staff members as it turned out. I kept asking her questions. The Store on Glendale told me they has SLW at their Grand store. I do not know were they get their chicks. I asked them a month or so ago about Blue Orpington's. They said that they have not had any for years. however I found out one of the hatchery is Ideal. Their Americana's are really EEs, or hatchery quality. He, Glendale staff, that they do not get in really quality birds. The Wyandotte's are mixed in color assortment. I wish the girl on Grand told me. Then the young man gave me a HA HA moment, he dose not have any Ideal chickens himself, then tried to back track and told me they Ideal does have some nice Bantams, saving face for Pratt's. I am confident it is the same for other feed stores. To get a good quality bird, private breeders. I am not really disappointed, after all, I am a new be. I'm learning and I am only starting.

 

[jbolt]

Pratt's orders from privett

 

[MaddBaggins]

So my little Barred Rocks and Buff Orpingtons are 5 weeks old now. Can I tell the sex yet? What should I look for?

 

[notinoz2007]

DE won't kill mites or lice.

You have to use Seven dust or some other type of poultry dust..

oh i know. its kinda a preventative, or mentality thing. i think it works therefor it works.
i have permetrhin dust but have only had to use it once.

demosthine, my family will not be attending next sunday but i hope you all have a great day. thanks for the invite
it was probably a good thing i never used my aquarium for mealworms - it is currently home to my 7 fish and lily pads while my pond is being reconstructed. as a matter of fact, the whole back yard is being redone if i can do it all before the real heat sets in.

have a great weekend everyone. beautiful weather to be out in the yard!

 

[notinoz2007]

So my little Barred Rocks and Buff Orpingtons are 5 weeks old now. Can I tell the sex yet? What should I look for?

i'm no help in this department really, sometimes i have to wait until they crow to know for sure (especially if i am in denial) i do know they are too old for feather sexing. i'm not sure how the comb would look on a BO but i think the Barred Rocks will be slender, dark red and taller with a roo than a hen.. good luck.