Arizona Chickens

[Demosthine]

I came home to find our first loss of the year, and it appeared to be from the heat and humidity. Everything else looked fine on her. I didn't do a necropsy, though, so I can't say for certain that it wasn't something else. She was awfully stiff and hot, though, so it had happened some time around noon, I'm guessing. Not surprisingly, it was one of my Ameraucanas. Like I've mentioned before, they appear to be the weakest of my flock.

I think part of the reason was that when my daughters filled their large wading pool and their smaller water dish, they didn't make sure that residual water in the hose had been emptied and that the water was cool. Then, they put the small metal water dish in the middle of the yard, where it's been hit by direct sun since about 0600 Hours. I yelled at them for not listening, which is a major problem for them, and then re-coached them on doing it correctly. Hopefully, this will be the only one of the year. It's not the heat that kills you... It's the humidity...



On a much nicer note, my daughter did catch Colonel Mustard laying an egg today. Well, coming out immediately after a really small egg appeared. When I asked her how she knew the difference between Colonel Mustard and Georgina, my two Black Copper Marans, she informed me "She's the one with the yellow eyes." So I went out to see what she meant. I'll be darned, the Colonel has a bright yellow ring around her eyes, whereas Georgina is a much more muted yellow.

Oh, the bunny and chickens seem to be getting along well so far. No fighting and they are mostly just ignoring each other. There was a little curiosity from the flock, but that's it. Now to see if she goes back to the kennel, or her "hutch" tonight.

 

[redrocketrooster]

Demosthine, im really sorry about girl. A loss is never easy to deal with. I always loose our Rhode Island Reds in this weather. Its funny what kids catch that we miss completely. Awesome news about the bunnies and chickens getting along!

Oh and does anyone sell white silkies in the East Valley? I had a customer ask for a single white chick when she bought two buffs.

 

[Demosthine]

Demosthine, im really sorry about girl.

A loss is never easy to deal with. I always loose our Rhode Island Reds in this weather. Its funny what kids catch that we miss completely. Awesome news about the bunnies and chickens getting along!

You know, it really doesn't bother me too much. For us, they aren't pets and it's part of the natural cycle that I'm trying to teach my daughters. I've had it set in my mind that we are not going to any extraordinary measures to save any of them. It's far less expensive to replace them than it is to afford any vet bills. As a quick estimate, it costs me about $13.50 a year to feed each bird. My turkeys will be more expensive as tehy get larger, but overall, I can't complain. I am a bit bummed that we weren't home soon enough to process her, but honestly, she wouldn't have been very meaty anyway. I have three more that I hope will make it (Well, I hope they'll all make it...), so that I can get my blue eggs. I did hear some other complaints about the RIRs being lost more than other breeds during the hot weather, but hadn't heard of any personally.

Putting away the rabbit went extremely easy tonight. I was able to walk right up to her, pet her and then pick her up. She hates the picking up part, so she fought a bit there, but once I trapped her legs and walked to the kennel, she sat on my legs for a good five minutes before going inside. Not too bad at all for only a week of having her.

 

[City farm]

I came home to find our first loss of the year, and it appeared to be from the heat and humidity.  Everything else looked fine on her.  I didn't do a necropsy, though, so I can't say for certain that it wasn't something else.  She was awfully stiff and hot, though, so it had happened some time around noon, I'm guessing.  Not surprisingly, it was one of my Ameraucanas.  Like I've mentioned before, they appear to be the weakest of my flock.

I think part of the reason was that when my daughters filled their large wading pool and their smaller water dish, they didn't make sure that residual water in the hose had been emptied and that the water was cool.  Then, they put the small metal water dish in the middle of the yard, where it's been hit by direct sun since about 0600 Hours.  I yelled at them for not listening, which is a major problem for them, and then re-coached them on doing it correctly.  Hopefully, this will be the only one of the year.  It's not the heat that kills you...  It's the humidity...



On a much nicer note, my daughter did catch Colonel Mustard laying an egg today.  Well, coming out immediately after a really small egg appeared.  When I asked her how she knew the difference between Colonel Mustard and Georgina, my two Black Copper Marans, she informed me "She's the one with the yellow eyes."  So I went out to see what she meant.  I'll be darned, the Colonel has a bright yellow ring around her eyes, whereas Georgina is a much more muted yellow.

Oh, the bunny and chickens seem to be getting along well so far.  No fighting and they are mostly just ignoring each other.  There was a little curiosity from the flock, but that's it.  Now to see if she goes back to the kennel, or her "hutch" tonight.

Oh SO sorry for your loss, condolences from us.. I will call you guys In a bit..

 

[City farm]

Because I am determined to reduce my flock (despite the fact that I have four two month old chicks and three brandnew chicks) I have started to process my hens. Two "PURE" white Ameraucans were my first choice. They were only three years old but a famous for being feather pickers. They are the only hens who do not have bald spots on their back or the side of their necks. The word is that the cause of feather picking is low protein in diet but I believe that bordom is a big factor as well.

Anyway these hens, mother and aunt of "Flower" were full of eggs and would have laid for many more years. But they were also laden with fat around their jointts and on their back under their skin and a large amount iside the abdominal cavity. One had much more than the other. Their organs, heart and etc looked fine. They were overfed with fermented feed and occasional dishes of scrambled eggs to supplement protein. This show me to cut back on the feeding. I wish I could let them free range more. Still have more hens to process.

We have posted to others that are processing.. "We" our boys and I would love a lesson? If it is not to much to ask?

 

[Arizonachicken]

Lavender Ameraucanas, Black, Blue and Splash Marans and Pips & Peeps project Chocolate Ameraucana bantams. :0 I'm way excited, some of the maran eggs were insanely dark. 

Sounds like a neat mix! I have always wanted Marans. I have one blue Marans who is finishing up raising her chicks, so I hope she starts laying soon. I have had 3 black copper marans in the past. I lost them all. One to the heat and one to the dog when I was still very new at chicken raising. I lost the other to internal laying. I'm determined to get more! I just love those dark eggs. Where did you get the eggs? Are you keeping all of the chicks? (Hint, hint )

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

yesterday I gave my nephew some eggs, he didn't want them because they were 2 weeks old, (I put the date on each egg). I haven't been giving him eggs because I have asked him for egg cartons, and he still thoughts them out. Between he and mom they use about 18 eggs a week. Good Grief, he knows that the fresh eggs from the store are really not that fresh. He dose give mom my eggs, at 97 she can tell if they are mine or store, and she dose want my eggs.
A good laugh never hurt anyone.........

 

[redrocketrooster]

Sounds like a neat mix! I have always wanted Marans. I have one blue Marans who is finishing up raising her chicks, so I hope she starts laying soon. I have had 3 black copper marans in the past. I lost them all. One to the heat and one to the dog when I was still very new at chicken raising. I lost the other to internal laying. I'm determined to get more! I just love those dark eggs. Where did you get the eggs? Are you keeping all of the chicks? (Hint, hint

)

yesterday I gave my nephew some eggs, he didn't want them because they were 2 weeks old, (I put the date on each egg). I haven't been giving him eggs because I have asked him for egg cartons, and he still thoughts them out. Between he and mom they use about 18 eggs a week. Good Grief, he knows that the fresh eggs from the store are really not that fresh. He dose give mom my eggs, at 97 she can tell if they are mine or store, and she dose want my eggs.
A good laugh never hurt anyone.........

Heehee. You should do what i do and write TOO OLD on the box and give it to them. Watch them flail around before letting them know they are still good.

Sounds like a neat mix! I have always wanted Marans. I have one blue Marans who is finishing up raising her chicks, so I hope she starts laying soon. I have had 3 black copper marans in the past. I lost them all. One to the heat and one to the dog when I was still very new at chicken raising. I lost the other to internal laying. I'm determined to get more! I just love those dark eggs. Where did you get the eggs? Are you keeping all of the chicks? (Hint, hint

)

All the eggs are from BYC members that NPIP cert. PM for the usernames. If all goes as planned I will grow out 3 chicks from each kind and keep only 1 pullet each. The remainders will be sold. With my take subtracted I should have 6 Marans (pending two other customers decisions), 5+ Lavanders and 8+ Chocolates. I haven't done any math for prices yet, I wait till they hatch so i can see quality first.

 

[flower]

Two good UTUBE resources for processing chickens : I want a plucking machine. Anyone out there want to invest time in converting a washing machine tub into a plucker ????

 

[redrocketrooster]

You know, it really doesn't bother me too much. For us, they aren't pets and it's part of the natural cycle that I'm trying to teach my daughters. I've had it set in my mind that we are not going to any extraordinary measures to save any of them. It's far less expensive to replace them than it is to afford any vet bills. As a quick estimate, it costs me about $13.50 a year to feed each bird. My turkeys will be more expensive as tehy get larger, but overall, I can't complain. I am a bit bummed that we weren't home soon enough to process her, but honestly, she wouldn't have been very meaty anyway. I have three more that I hope will make it (Well, I hope they'll all make it...), so that I can get my blue eggs. I did hear some other complaints about the RIRs being lost more than other breeds during the hot weather, but hadn't heard of any personally.

Putting away the rabbit went extremely easy tonight. I was able to walk right up to her, pet her and then pick her up. She hates the picking up part, so she fought a bit there, but once I trapped her legs and walked to the kennel, she sat on my legs for a good five minutes before going inside. Not too bad at all for only a week of having her.

Chickens are a good way to teach value. After living on a few acres with chickens, rabbits and cows I learned how to self-sustain. The process was bumpy since I didn't have anyone to help but after a while I started to really break down the math for every expense I had. I still miss my acres and meat farm. <3 I'm glad the rabbits behaving for you! It's nice to hear she's getting used to you so quick too.

I've lost 3 RIRs last year. Two died of retained eggs and one passed in the humidity. IMO, RIRs tend to have issues with large eggs or too many eggs. I've had quite a few people tell me that their RIRs passed at 1 1/2 - 2 yrs with these problems too. This may all be because of the bloodlines they were from. I can't say I've seen anyone own a focused breeder RIR line in my area. Maybe it's a quality issue via hatcheries?