Arizona Chickens

[Menmyrc]

I've spent this week very proud of our efforts to make a "fortress" coop. I have 1/2" harware cloth tucked in the siding of the coop which extends to a 2' apron around the perimeter. The run is chainlink with 1/2" hardware cloth over the lower 2' of the run, attached with galvanized hog rings, and then it extends into a 2' apron all around. The run is covered - about 8' has a solid metal roof and the rest of the roof is chainlink panels all bolted together which is then covered with shade cloth. The only way in/out is through 1 gate in the run which has the same apron and hardware cloth. Plus, the hardware cloth extends past the 1" gaps between the frame of the gate and the frame of the fence to make it very difficult for even small creatures to get between the bars. The chain link posts are all 90 deg rather than rounded corners so fit tightly to the ground. I knew tweety birds and possibly small rodents might get in to steal the food and have been planning on adding more hardware cloth as I can afford it. So we've been on schedule to move the 7 & 8 week old chicks into their new fortress tomorrow.

Until last night. The chicken coop is next to our 2,500 sq. ft vegetable garden. I went out to the garden to check on some crookneck squash and there, laying amongst my beautiful yellow squash was a 4 to 4.5 ft. long Sonoran Gopher Snake! Now don't get me wrong - I love snakes. I have a pet gopher snake in my house. But after all we've done to try and protect the chickens from predators, I don't want a snake eating my chickens or future eggs! So I guess I'm off to Home Depot for more hardware cloth. Hopefully I can get this done tonight so we can still be on schedule for the big move-in.

Because my garage really stinks!

 

[redrocketrooster]

gckiddhouse, my home becomes broody central for many Mum birds this time of year. So far I have found three nests out front and three in the back. Two pidgin nests, two finch, one sparrow (i think?) and a road runners nest. I would like to take pictures of the roads nest but I am afraid she won't come back next year if I do that.

Heres one of pidgin the babes:

I named the babe Sam or Sammy. Pending mysterious gender.

 

[gckiddhouse]

Quote:
You can cover the upper part of your chicken yard with bird netting and that will keep snakes, rats and birds out. It is MUCH cheaper than hardware cloth. We have a very similar set up and all the same critters. We do have mice. You were smart on the hardware cloth skirt. That will help. They just know how to get places, you know. I think you are fine to get them out there. We have lots of snakes, but haven't had one in the coop... yet... knock on wood.

 

[gckiddhouse]

RRR, love the little chick! How fun! We have lots of nests in our roof tile, but we can't see any of them.
You need to borrow a zoom lense and get a pick of that roadrunner nest!! How cool is that? I would love to see it. Is it on the ground?

Last year a great horned owl made a nest about 8 feet up in a saguaro at the Anthem post office. We all got to visit as the giant fuzzy butts grew in their nest. Wonder if she will come back.
There are great horned owls and red shouldered hawks up the hill from us. I should go up there and see who is nesting... There was an owl on the neighbor's roof the other evening when we came home. They are so huge!

Ah! Spring in the desert!

 

[Biochick]

gckiddhouse we are open everyday 9 to 4 for tours. You can call and get a group discount for the 4-h club I'm not sure how much.
When I'm here on Sundays I can get your family in as long as there isn't a big event going on the same day. Just PM me and I'll give you my number and set it up for you.

That roo is special!!

 

[LarryPQ]

As promised: Picture Day!

A protective Violet:


Tofu Chillin'


Suspicious Activity:

Apparently I have a new layer. They were eating the insides of a shell-less egg.

Aloha Chicks:


Dozer's Chick


One of the AustraRoos


Some crazy Lady with Fugly Duckling


My Blue Orp


An Aloha "reject" who may be good afterall:


A displeased Nugget:

 

[smjacob]

Quote:
So a question, would that be a good place for a kid who is almost 3? Would they find it interesting or is it way over their head. I have never been there. A friend did a year or more of college there and i always heard how great it was.

Shaun

 

[dofnup]

Quote:
Awwww I have two 5-week-old cuckoo marans but I am pretty sure one of them is a roo ... I'd gladly trade him for a buff polish chick

I got them at the Stock Shop, dunno if they have more ...

Actually, if you have any buff polish chicks I would BUY one or two from you!

 

[smjacob]

Quote:
Yes what polish do you have and what ages? I have always been interested in polish as well.

Shaun

 

[Biochick]

Shaun the science of the whole thing would be over his head, but its pretty cool and I think most kids like it.
Let me know if you can make the trip on a Sunday and I can get the family in. We're all family here you know. LOL
Its best to visit here in the morning as its a glass house and hard to keep cool and gets pretty hot.
I just got a call for a rattlesnake, I caught it and relocated it to the desert.