Arizona Chickens

[desertmarcy]

Actually, I hear extreme hypothermia and freezing to death is the best way to go. You do get extremely cold and shiver for a few minutes, but then the circulation is decreased to your extremities in order to maintain your core temperature. About the time that happens, you feel significantly warmer and cozy before drifting off to sleep for the final time. Not a terrible way to die.

I would never put a warm blooded animal in the freezer to euthanize it, that is cruel. Reptiles, yes. In fact a reptile vet told me that is the best way to euthanize them. What would be better for a chick, cold and shivering for who knows how long and terrified, or whack! Off with the head, instantaneous. From time to time the animal rights people get all up in arms about how the hatcheries dispose of unwanted male baby chicks because they are said to put them through a grinder. Sounds gruesome, but in actuality, that would be an extremely quick death for a baby chick. There I've said it and it is blunt.

 

[pollo disco]

Well, down here on the border, life is starting to change. Summer antics have finally quelled down and the season is changing as well. My birds are all molting. Getting a winter coat ready? 1st. time mind you. Anyhow, I have been getting 6-7 eggs a day with all chickens laying now. But today, no eggs. WTH??? And ofcourse, its when I just got more feed and supplies bought. sheeesh. There's gratitude for ya! The family and I are getting ready for Dia de los Muertos festivities. We will visit my wife's grandparents graves and do the deed. (Tequila, flowers, calaveras, songs) should be fun. The kids are finally getting into it and not freaking out. Wife is happy about that. Culture and all!!! Hope everybody is well and if you are in the area, feel free to look us up. Look out, the holidays are fast upon us all.....

 

[maryhysong]

I agree....pets are a great way to learn how to care for them & get comfortable. I want to do meat rabbits in the spring but DH is not sure he will like the meat. I plan on buying some and cooking it a couple ways to see what he says. I'm open to any suggestions!

tastes a lot like chicken, cook any way you would chicken; if you debone it and don't mention it, he'll probably never be able to tell the difference. Rabbit is all white meat tho, no dark meat on a rabbit

 

[City farm]

Getting ready to party.. It is warmer than I thought it would be.. Enjoy your weekend
Everyone..

 

[Twinklin]

Am I correct in assuming you all clip their wings in order for them to stay out of the gardens? I need to set up the fencing around my wife's garden while they are all banned to the side yard for overseeding, but I was planning on going the full six feet. Until, that is, I watched half my flock go straight up to the top of my pool fence.

I think they just look so awkward with clipped wings. I don't like it. Our turkeys look downright horrible clipped, but when my Dad found one in the front yard...

I don't clip. I just add the 2ft high fencing around the outside of the veggie gardens. The girls just don't bother hopping over it because they're lazy.

 

[MandyFitch]

I don't clip. I just add the 2ft high fencing around the outside of the veggie gardens. The girls just don't bother hopping over it because they're lazy.

 

[Twinklin]

Yep, I had to make a little "baby gate" out of trellises for that. Since there's large holes in the trellis they can walk through which they do rarely, they never go over it. If I wanted to spend a little more money I could get some hardware cloth so they couldn't go through it but it deters them enough that I rarely have to hose poop off the patio anymore. If I had more flighty breeds I'm sure it would be much different.

Chickenproofing 101





They'll rip the leaves off through the holes in the fencing and peck holes in any veggies that are close enough but they never go over it into the gardens. The tall plastic netting in the middle of the raised bed is for snap peas to climb. It's not the prettiest of gardens but it's functional.

 

[MandyFitch]

Looks great!

 

[MaddBaggins]

Some of my girls have taken to pecking at the caulk that holds in the glass of the patio doors. It sounds like they're knocking to get in.

Silly birds.

 

[MaddBaggins]

A loud and rowdy day at casa Baggins. System of a Down and Candlebox and Primus rocking the hi fi. Glass full of tasty ale.