Arizona Chickens

[pipemum]

Since we're discussing weeds/grass, etc. I'm wondering if anyone can ID this weed/bush thing. Not the tumbleweed (darker green) on the left center, but the grayish green one. They grow to be a couple feet tall and diameter. When we had blister beetles blow through the blister beetles really liked them. The chickens will give them a taste but for the most part leave them alone. They don't die from RoundUp. Any ideas on what they are and what will get rid of them? Are they toxic to chickens?

Take a picture of the leaves, if you can. It looks like an ambrosia species. I don't think it will be toxic to chickens. Are you sure you want to get rid of it? At the very least, it's keeping the dust down!

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Since we're discussing weeds/grass, etc. I'm wondering if anyone can ID this weed/bush thing. Not the tumbleweed (darker green) on the left center, but the grayish green one. They grow to be a couple feet tall and diameter. When we had blister beetles blow through the blister beetles really liked them. The chickens will give them a taste but for the most part leave them alone. They don't die from RoundUp. Any ideas on what they are and what will get rid of them? Are they toxic to chickens?

I don't know if they are toxic to chickens but Round up probably is:

"glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, has also been deemed a major health hazard both to the environment, and to animal and human health. It is toxic to human cells, and according to a French research team, it is also carcinogenic. The team has studied the herbicide extensively, and published at least five articles on glysphosate's potential for wide-ranging environmental and human harmi. Their research shows that glyphosate:

• Causes cell cycle dysregulation, which is a hallmark of tumor cells and human cancers
• Inhibits DNA synthesis in certain parts of the cell cycle—the process by which cells reproduce that underlies the growth and development of all living organisms
• Impedes the hatchings of sea urchins. (Sea urchins were used because they constitute an appropriate model for the identification of undesirable cellular and molecular targets of pollutants.) The delay was found to be dose dependent on the concentration of Roundup. The surfactant polyoxyethylene amine (POEA), another major component of Roundup, was also found to be highly toxic to the embryos when tested alone, and could therefore be a contributing factor"

from drmercola.com​

 

[countrygirl74]

Plenty of extra protein helps with the molting stress that's caused by diverting most energy to producing new feathers...hence they usually don't lay during the most intense phase of it. I usually feed a handful of dried mealworms or no salt canned tuna...alternating each depending on their preference...also scrambled eggs, plain are excellent...at least every other day. Lots of fresh spinach offered daily in the summer is good as well.

X2! Up the protein! Mine love plain yogurt and raw hamburger - they will attack me for the hamburger.

Here
Thank you for all the help. Here is a silly question that I'm obviously not figuring out via the Internet on my own! Do most breeds end up with a crown on their heads whether they are a hen or a rooster?

Yes, there are many different types of combs too... For instance, here is one of my favorite roosters we used to have and we thought he was a girl for the longest time because of the comb - some of the girls had much bigger combs, depending on the type...

I did find where someone had recommended an Omega 3 Chicken Forage Blend from GrowOrganic.Com. I called them and they said that it grows well in Tennessee, Zone 7 and should easily survive both the frost and the summer heat, provided it is adequately watered. I'm going to get a bunch and plant it come fall, so my grass yard should look even more fabulous. I think the photos they posted look amazing!

I have the same stuff - was going to plant it this spring and then so much happened around here that I am forced to waiting until fall or next spring to get it going... I'm excited to see how it does and how the chickens like it!

 

[Arizonachicken]

Since we're discussing weeds/grass, etc. I'm wondering if anyone can ID this weed/bush thing. Not the tumbleweed (darker green) on the left center, but the grayish green one. They grow to be a couple feet tall and diameter. When we had blister beetles blow through the blister beetles really liked them. The chickens will give them a taste but for the most part leave them alone. They don't die from RoundUp. Any ideas on what they are and what will get rid of them? Are they toxic to chickens?

They are both Thistle. The darker one is Russian Thistle (Tumbleweed). The lighter one in question is another variety of Thistle. I don't know if they are toxic, but in my limited experience, chickens won't eat anything that could be harmful. Hope that helps. Also, if you want to use herbicide, you'd have to mix the Roundup with Savage (a 2-4D) and a solution of water miracle grow prior to pouring in the products. There's a lot of bad press about Roundup, I'm not too sure about all that, but that's how you kill it if you want to.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

If you live where you can get flood irrigation, it is by far the least expensive way to water your yard.  Less than $100 for the YEAR.  You will still have a water bill for that water that comes from the city.

I've never understood what is wrong with crab grass?   Weeds that have stickers I understand being bad (I hate burr clover!), but grasses that simply don't happen to be the "preferred" species?  

If you plant anything else in the same area as crab grass it becomes overgrown by the grass. It is invasive to all areas of my large yard. I work very hard to remove crab grass from my Roses, Iris, Peonies, all annuals and more. I want flax and other plants to overgrow the invasive plant. I would rather have mint be my invasive. Mint has value as a repellant crab grass does hold the earth in place but it does require water and is in the meantime a pest in my opinion.

I seem to remember something about Kamikaze Landscape, it is considered for only the adventureus or insane. It is planting an invasive plant you like to fight for territory. It is best to plant several, they will/may wipe out the one you do not like. However, they will be left to fight it out. In the end you have an ever changing landscape as to who is winning at the moment. However, the mutual enemy may always still be their just sleeping or laying low untill it can strike again. The interesting thing is, all the plants are of Offense. There is no defense in the Kamikaze Landscape.

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I wish I paid more attention to my Grandmother S. no idea what it was, she cooked something up, as I remember a funny brown/ black stuff, she sprayed it on plants, it had an oder but I an not remember to describe it. Everything she sprayed it on died. I do not remember more. I think tobacco was in it. Someplace in the back of my mind a remember a chopped up cigar.

 

[Arizona Son]

They are both Thistle. The darker one is Russian Thistle (Tumbleweed). The lighter one in question is another variety of Thistle. I don't know if they are toxic, but in my limited experience, chickens won't eat anything that could be harmful. Hope that helps. Also, if you want to use herbicide, you'd have to mix the Roundup with Savage (a 2-4D) and a solution of water miracle grow prior to pouring in the products. There's a lot of bad press about Roundup, I'm not too sure about all that, but that's how you kill it if you want to.

I have both of these growing around my place too & now I know what they are, LOL Thanks for the plant ID

 

[UrbanPHXChicks]

Hey AZ chicken keepers!

I had no idea this thread was on BYC. I live in downtown PHX. My 4 chicks are just now 3 months old. They've been outside for about 6 weeks. I'm worried sick about this heat.
I've been putting out frozen milk bottles for them for several weeks, every day. We put a box fan out for them a couple days ago as well. Their run is well shaded and only gets sun for about an hour. There are oleanders they have access to, but I haven't noticed them eating it. When they first moved outside they tried to eat some dropped flowers, but they spit them back out quickly. This kinda gave me some re-assurance.
Today my white leghorn has been VERY lethargic. She could hardly keep her eyes open and wasn't active like the other girls. I moved her inside around 11 AM. I went to Western Ranchman to get some advise/meds. I came home with only a couple packets of electrolytes and a book on chicken health. I finally got her to eat some mash with yogurt. She won't touch a slice of water mellon or drink water. I put some electrolytes in the water for everyone. The girls outside seem to be doing OK. The lady at the feed store cautioned me about moving her inside. She said that going back and forth between temperatures isn't good. I just had a strong feeling that she wasn't going to make it out there all day. Should I move her back tonight? keep her in the house tomorrow (118 degrees has me very concerned).

Any advise?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: My next door neighbors have a forest of about 100 mature trees in their yard. Their yard is MUCH cooler than my yard which has plenty of large trees, but not 100.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Hey all,
Remember the person who had her chickens "rescued" while she was on vacation? Well, she's still on vacation so I thought I should update you for her.
The landlady had her chickens. She had stolen them! Unbelievable!
She finally turned them over after threats of media and law enforcement involvement. The chickens are with a friend until she returns.

WOW.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Sounds a great deal like bermuda