Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

My nine week old cockerel just started crowing.  I hope it's not contagious! He sounds like someone sat on a whoopie cushion...

Wow 9weeks that is crazy.. Have you raised them from itty bitty day old chicks?

 

[City farm]

Hello!
I am new to BYC but have been doing 'chicken research' for a few months because we just bought a house in the East Valley that came with 8 chickens and their own personal bodyguard...errr...guard dog.

They were in terrible shape when we first got them, but seem to be doing much better on chicken feed plus fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, suet, leftovers, and a whole lot of TLC! And I hand feed them bugs Their only source of feed before this was corn. According to neighbors, they are in the 3 to 8 year age range, but we average 4 eggs per day from 7 hens.

My next project is working on their housing. They are in 2/3 of a three-horse corral (36' x 12') with metal roof, and a ton of chicken wire/hardware wire around it. The problem is they have little shade and I am not sure how they have survived summers without it. :'(  I am hoping to put corrugated tin on the west side, and hang sun shades or something on the south side because they only have 24 x 2 feet of shade during the day. Or possibly grow vines up the south side.

Does anyone have advice on how to enclose the space more but still have good ventilation?

Thanks!


Sweet gift, do you know what breeds?
We plant trees along with using removable sides or doors.. & misters, blocks of ice.. Spoiled little stinkers..

AND.

 

[MandyFitch]

Wow 9weeks that is crazy.. Have you raised them from itty bitty day old chicks?

Yep, I know his birthday!

 

[kpgoldstar]

I have three chicks from Redrocketrooster, a Welsummer, a black Orpington, and a Splash Orpington. The orpingtons are girls, I believe, but Welsummer is most likely a boy. What of you all think? He is 2 months old. And anyone interested in a well-bred Welsummer cockerel?

Still a newb, but I vote for boy!

 

[kpgoldstar]

Hello!
I am new to BYC but have been doing 'chicken research' for a few months because we just bought a house in the East Valley that came with 8 chickens and their own personal bodyguard...errr...guard dog.

They were in terrible shape when we first got them, but seem to be doing much better on chicken feed plus fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, suet, leftovers, and a whole lot of TLC! And I hand feed them bugs Their only source of feed before this was corn. According to neighbors, they are in the 3 to 8 year age range, but we average 4 eggs per day from 7 hens.

My next project is working on their housing. They are in 2/3 of a three-horse corral (36' x 12') with metal roof, and a ton of chicken wire/hardware wire around it. The problem is they have little shade and I am not sure how they have survived summers without it. :'( I am hoping to put corrugated tin on the west side, and hang sun shades or something on the south side because they only have 24 x 2 feet of shade during the day. Or possibly grow vines up the south side.

Does anyone have advice on how to enclose the space more but still have good ventilation?

Thanks!

Welcome to the AZ BYC! Your chickens are lucky to have you. I would bet the eggs are much tastier with a varied and healthier diet as well. Sometimes if you post pics of your set-up those experienced chickeners can give you some great advice for ventilation and protection.

 

[pastrymama]

Anyone need a few more laying or soon to be laying hens? I really need to cut my layer flock in half. I am so busy with the kids and tons of other commitments that I don't have time to dedicate anymore. Send me a PM if interested. I am in north phoenix right off the I-17.

Available hens:
Basque
Ameraucana
Super Blue Egg Layer (SBEL)
Sulmtaler
Brahma
some super cute blue banties

All birds are just a year old or less. I won't be asking a ton per bird, I really need to downsize. These are ALL Breeder birds, not feedstore or hatchery birds.

So in an effort to rehome some of these hens, I will gladly trade two hens for a 50# bag of flockraiser. I just need them to go to good homes where they will not be eaten. I think it's a pretty fair trade. Hate to put them up on flaky CL.

 

[pipemum]

Okay, just went and checked the dates on my phone pictures (of the EE's first egg). She was only 24 weeks. Seems like I waited forever for eggs!

 

[flower]

No Media where I live so this is late input about APS and solar energy lies. Since I have to pay APS rates I am interested if anyone has more information.


http://azcommunitypress.org/2013/11...-anti-solar-spending-a-display-of-leadership/

 

[Arizonachicken]

All I know is that APS is MUCH more expensive than SRP.

 

[maryhysong]

I have three chicks from Redrocketrooster, a Welsummer, a black Orpington, and a Splash Orpington. The orpingtons are girls, I believe, but Welsummer is most likely a boy. What of you all think? He is 2 months old. And anyone interested in a well-bred Welsummer cockerel?

I might be interested; do you know what line he might be out of? And yes that is for sure a Wellie cockerel. While I"m looking for a decent one for breeding I can't guarantee he might not be dinner at some point, depending on how he was to grow out.