Arizona Chickens

[Gallo del Cielo]

Leaf cutter ants are my nemesis. I've DE'd their nest so many times, but they must have a HUGE colony. They just move the entrance/exit somewhere else. I won't use pesticide because it affects too many other wildlife that I want around, but I'm so, so, so very tempted. They've striped much of my yard this year, some vegetation to the point where I'm not sure they'll recover. Frustrating!

The regular little red ants are also everywhere! DE seems a tiny bit more effective on them.

We're both in the same boat. If someone out there knows of an effective way to deal with them without going nuclear, please let us know.

 

[maryhysong]

We're both in the same boat. If someone out there knows of an effective way to deal with them without going nuclear, please let us know.

have you tried tanglefoot on shrub and tree trunks? It's sticky and you wrap around the tree trunk to trap anything that tries to crawl up

You might also try sulfur dust on the nests, DE is not effective on much of anything for me, so I'm using sulfur dust on my chickens for mites

 

[pollo disco]

Hey Mandy, you are really lucky being in an area that has TONS of chicken fanatics. Lots of knowledge there for ya. I have a really ugly coop and run as my wood working skills are lacking but it is totally functional and it is big enough for my flock. I used scrap wood and cull lumber from Homie Depot to keep cost to a minimum. A requirement from the wife. As for the birds, sexlinks (hybrids) that are hardy and prolific and generally a good disposition. Brown eggs there. Then I was able to get a couple americaunas that are younger so I am waiting for eggs from those girls. But I should have a long lived flock and a continous supply of eggs through out the year. I need to get a pic of the flock as they are all getting so big and unique. A variety of hens makes it so much fun and interesting. And make sure you subscribe to this thread. Az chickens is constantly growing. Ive learned tons from this area! Good luck.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
Other than the time the leaf cutters ate my entire Monukka grape vine and killed it, they haven't really been eating much green material to warrant bringing out the big guns like tanglefoot. Mostly they've been collecting dried flower parts and bits of woody material. I'd also be a bit concerned about catching the good guys, like green lacewings. Early on I thought about wrapping the base of the treadle feeder with it, but then I imagined the birds getting their feathers caught in it. I haven't used it in over a decade or more, so maybe it's a bit easier to use now. Sulfur, hmmmm... that sounds worth looking into. Have you ever tried it on an ant hill?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hi Arizonans!


I'm working on building my run after a visit with Sharon at the Scottsdale Feed Store told me how simple it would be. If you haven't met her, look her up. She's wonderful!

I would very much like to get young pullets sometime in the next few weeks. Here's my thoughts, please feel free to correct any misconceptions.

I would like to get four to six week old pullets. I'm hoping that's young enough to make friends but old enough that they can make it out to the coop within a week or two. I don't really want to go out and buy all the brooder stuff if I can help it.

I'm thinking 4 girls. My coop is 4x4x6 with four roosting boxes. My pen, which will be attached, is 4x4x8. I used the smallest gage hardware cloth to cover it and my hands are killing me from all the stapling!

I would like a variety of girls - I REALLY want a Black Copper Marans for those gorgeous brown eggs. I'd love a couple of Amercaunas for the Blue/Greens and then something prolific, pretty and friendly with light brown or cream eggs. Can anyone advise me where to go to get all those birds, at approximately the same age, in the next few weeks?

I really do appreciate your advice and the support of BYC. What a wonderful community you have here!

Mandy

Greetings and welcome to BYC!

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

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wait! They started on the 8th! Been in lock down less then 24 hrs.... Well, when it is time it is time.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Hi Arizonans!


I'm working on building my run after a visit with Sharon at the Scottsdale Feed Store told me how simple it would be.  If you haven't met her, look her up. She's wonderful!

I would very much like to get young pullets sometime in the next few weeks.  Here's my thoughts, please feel free to correct any misconceptions. 

I would like to get four to six week old pullets.  I'm hoping that's young enough to make friends but old enough that they can make it out to the coop within a week or two.  I don't really want to go out and buy all the brooder stuff if I can help it. 

I'm thinking 4 girls. My coop is 4x4x6 with four roosting boxes. My pen, which will be attached, is 4x4x8. I used the smallest gage hardware cloth to cover it and my hands are killing me from all the stapling!

I would like a variety of girls - I REALLY want a Black Copper Marans for those gorgeous brown eggs.  I'd love a couple of Amercaunas for the Blue/Greens and then something prolific, pretty and friendly with light brown or cream eggs.  Can anyone advise me where to go to get all those birds, at approximately the same age, in the next few weeks?

I really do appreciate your advice and the support of BYC. What a wonderful community you have here!

Mandy

PM Redrocketrooster.... He has nice birds and a good rep. He is down the road and east of Scottsdale. Then there is DesertMarcy, she has really good stock, but lives in Tucson. I'm just hatching for the first time. I am hatching Marans, black cooper, splash, Lemon. I have no idea how many I will have, post office was a little ruff.
1 little early peep, so far. I started about 18:00 on the 8th, but 1 couldn't wait. Was peeping and rocking this morning, left for about 2 hrs, need to finish brooder.

 

[AZKat]

When I had ants in my coop last year, I mixed DE directly into the feed, and that seemed to help quite a bit. Eating the DE didn't seem to hurt the chickens, although I did get some funky looking white deposits on the egg shells. You can also try using cinnamon, or mixing cinnamon with DE, the oils also block the scent trail.

 

[Beour3rd]

they ate the grass cuttings?

and yeah our feeder is inside the coop and the chickens enclosuring isnt accessible to any wild animal. (lots of predators here) so we wont have an issue with that.

whats DE?

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

3 more rocking! to early, not untll they are dry . . . Ok, 1 down, we will see, I'm so excited. The floor is in the brooder, not dry, it will not be ready until Sat. , I have to paint it. It is not very nice looking but it will work, keep them safe and warm.

I will have to use paper box . . Maybe....