Arizona Chickens

[AZKat]

Notinoz: I'm sorry to hear about your bathroom leak, that can be a really unpleasant and expensive problem. Once you have the walls opened up, wipe down the studs with straight bleach to kill any mold that might be starting in there, that is one of the things that the dry out companies did when I had damage from much more extensive leaks. Ripping up the carpet and staining or putting down tile is a really good idea. I've ripped up carpet a few times, and no matter how well kept the carpet is, the floor underneath always looks disgusting. I'm personally convinced that wall to wall carpet is a mistake that should be fixed.
I hear you on wanting to get projects *done*, I'm finally getting the half wall between the kitchen and dining room finished, and I should get a vent hood installed soon, and I'm *so* happy about that. Of course, now time is getting taken from that to renovate the back bedroom/office, which we had been using for storage. Luckily that will be pretty cheap, just replacing drywall on the ceiling and one wall, and then painting, taking up the old carpet, putting down new flooring and baseboards.

 

[theuglyduckling]

okay so i dont live in AZ anymore i moved to Puerto Rico 2 years ago, but my family lives in az except two of my brothers. does anybody on here live in havasu or donkey acres?

 

[Demosthine]

First, I wanted to thank LadyKotaDoria for hosting the processing party tonight, and Flower for coming down to show us all how it's done. It was very generous of them both, and the socializing was great, too. It's always nice to be able to put a face to the names we see. Next time it'll be at my house for the rabbit processing party... Yeah, not chicken related, but it was a side discussion tonight. I wonder how my neighbors would feel about a half-dozen rabbits hanging in the garage for skinning...

While we were there, my wife mentioned the processing station from the Homesteading and Survivalism FaceBook page. Originally, it was posted as a Camp Kitchen on another Forum. It looks like it would be a superb station and we plan on getting one designed or built. This would work quite well for processing the chickens and/or rabbits. It uses regular plumbing fittings to attach to a garden hose for both the drain pipe and the removable kitchen sprayer.

​

 

[City farm]

Beak deformities are usually a nutritional deficiency and tend to self correct after being given the correct supplements. I think it was the story about the Gnarly Bunch where I heard that, on the Natural Chicken Keeping blog. Several articles since have backed up her claim, so you might look in to that first.



Beak deformities can also be genetic or injury.  However, as described, with beak and nails that simply need trimming, trim them.  It is very easily accomplished, and not needed that often.

Blondie's nail curve & twist a bit.. So her issue could be genetic??

 

[Demosthine]

Any of the above or even a little bit of all of the above. There is no real way to tell for sure. I would start ensuring a higher level of those vitamins mentioned and trimming them way back to see if they will grow in better. Not seeing her, it's hard to say, but probably as far back as the latest visually distorted section. For the nails, you should do it just until it starts to bleed ever so slightly or just before that point, and then wait a few days to a week before doing it again.

 

[City farm]

First, I wanted to thank LadyKotaDoria for hosting the processing party tonight, and Flower for coming down to show us all how it's done. It was very generous of them both, and the socializing was great, too. It's always nice to be able to put a face to the names we see. Next time it'll be at my house for the rabbit processing party... Yeah, not chicken related, but it was a side discussion tonight. I wonder how my neighbors would feel about a half-dozen rabbits hanging in the garage for skinning... While we were there, my wife mentioned the processing station from the Homesteading and Survivalism FaceBook page. Originally, it was posted as a Camp Kitchen on another Forum. It looks like it would be a superb station and we plan on getting one designed or built. This would work quite well for processing the chickens and/or rabbits. It uses regular plumbing fittings to attach to a garden hose for both the drain pipe and the removable kitchen sprayer.

​

Yes, that was great. Everyone was such a help.. LKD you are great for opening up your home... Flower you are a great teacher I have got to get one of those for our front yard parties..

 

[Demosthine]

I think I found put why we've been getting such a small amount of eggs lately, especially having no eggs for four days now. My clan has started moulting. There were massive amounts of feathers in the yard this morning, so I started checking them. Both my Barred Rocks have serious pinfeathers growing in, and when they flapped their wings as I set them down, feathers went a flyin'!

I was initially concerned about a predator attack, and when my wife mentioned Sleepy's comb was nearly gone, it drove that home. But after inspection, it appears the comb just shrank to about half it's size. All the serrations are clearly there and there are no bloody or raw spots. After some researching, it appears common when they stop laying.

Meanwhile, my Black Copper Marans' comb has turned slightly purple along the tips, but several down South have said it's affected by the humidity. We've had it miserably all week, so I'm not too concened.

I'll watch them all closer this week, but these are two things that don't come up often, so I thought I'd mention it and what I know so far. Maybe prevent some other people having concerns.

 

[TucsonWest]

Does anyone in the Tucson or Phoenix area (or the rest of AZ) have a Swedish Flower Hen or a Nankin hen or pullet they would like to sell? I would like to add these breeds to my flock and prefer not to hatch as I live in an area where I can't have roosters and would have to find homes for them. Even just one is enough. My flock is mostly pure breeds from Serama and up size wise. Also have a RP turkey hen with them. Everyone gets along very well. The flock of 30 has about 1000 SF of area to roam in my backyard. They are pets only and get lots of love. I am in Tucson but travel regularly to Tempe and can come to you in other areas.

If you have one or know of anyone who does, please email me at [email protected].

 

[MagicChicken]

I think I found put why we've been getting such a small amount of eggs lately, especially having no eggs for four days now. My clan has started moulting. There were massive amounts of feathers in the yard this morning, so I started checking them. Both my Barred Rocks have serious pinfeathers growing in, and when they flapped their wings as I set them down, feathers went a flyin'!

I was initially concerned about a predator attack, and when my wife mentioned Sleepy's comb was nearly gone, it drove that home. But after inspection, it appears the comb just shrank to about half it's size. All the serrations are clearly there and there are no bloody or raw spots. After some researching, it appears common when they stop laying.

Meanwhile, my Black Copper Marans' comb has turned slightly purple along the tips, but several down South have said it's affected by the humidity. We've had it miserably all week, so I'm not too concened.

I'll watch them all closer this week, but these are two things that don't come up often, so I thought I'd mention it and what I know so far. Maybe prevent some other people having concerns.

My cockerels' combs turn purple at the back edge of the blade and along the tips every time it threatens to rain. The first time I noticed it was during the first large monsoon of the season. They were all out in the rain, dripping wet, with purple-tipped combs. Kind of like when little kids play in the ocean so long their lips turn blue... Now I notice it frequently, even when it is not raining, but it is much worse after a storm. I'm not sure if it's the increased humidity or the temperature drop that occurs with the cloud cover and rain. The purple goes away when the sun comes out and the humidity drops. It seems benign. I am curious to see what happens with their combs this winter. Hope the purple doesn't indicate they will be more prone to frostbite.

 

[ThreesLady79]

I have Naked Necks, they have not been laying either.