Arizona Chickens

[Foxs Fowl Farm]

What kind of heat lamps do you all have in your coops? My coop only holds two gals so I'm not sure of the wattage. TIA

Good am. Sorry a bit late on rely....

I use the standard red bulb that is 250 watts. I found it at local feedstore, Dales Deals, for $8.99. Walmart sells them for $9.99. Both places have the light socket/reflector. Not sure on price for those though. I have also used a blue colored flood light that is 150 watts. They have heat bulbs that are clear at 150 watts to. The red is more calming for the birds though.

 

[Foxs Fowl Farm]

I've been extremely busy, that's where I've been. Some friends of ours wanted to buy some motorcycles, so as the mechanic and riding guru, I was voluntold to check them out. We spent four evenings going to do test rides and everything, some were very late nights. They ended up with two pretty good bikes for great prices, so it was a success. Now to catch up on my weekly chores that are sorely lacking...

We had a small setback with the bunnies last night. I put the two kits out to free range and the doe attacked one of her babies. She grabbed the kit at around the neck, and when the kit spun around to get away, it basically ziplined the fur almost all the way around her neck. It looks only skin deep, thank God, but still, it is not something I was prepared for or ready to deal with. I'm treating with raw honey when I get home, to encourage healing and avoid an infection. The kit isn't big enough to harvest yet, and my wife wants to keep both of them anyway.

I guess the does can get very territorial and even though they were her litter, they were separated for a few weeks after she stopped nursing. They were still small, so my wife wanted to keep them more protected. Guess that's a bad idea. You live and learn, though.


On the chicken and turkey side of the world, they are still doing well. No eggs yet, but the combs are starting to brighten and get larger, so a few more weeks and they should be laying again, hopefully. This is ridiculous. Hopefully they won't all molt at the same time next year. The turkeys are nice and plump, too.

I hope everyone is enjoying this weather and having a great day!

LOL "voluntold". I have never heard that term.

It's the new word of the day for me.

 

[Foxs Fowl Farm]

I use heat lamp for my chicks and ducklings, inside and outside. I had used my spare bathtub for the last 2 years. Decided it was time to put them outside. I have a sandbox converted into a chickbrooder and a play pool converted into a duckling brooder. I use the sandbox cover to help insulate the inside with heat. I have a metal awning that is not in its regular use. I have this lowered and positioned over the brooders. This provides protection from the rain and wind as well.This has worked out very well for me. I am one of those people that repurposes and recycles. If there is a way I will find a use for it!!

It was pretty cold here in Waddell last night. Frozen grass and windshield. I am welcoming this change of weather. This time of year is why I love this climate.

 

[pipemum]

I don't heat my full grown chickens. Of course, this is the first winter I've had chickens, but every single thing I've read said chickens do not need heat in the winter as long as their coop is draft free. The people in NY and Maine aren't heating their coops, and even cooler n. arizona temps will never come close to NE winter temps. For example, no heating going on in this coop: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/841364/my-flock-arctic-storm-co-12-04-2013 Our struggle, and it's a BIG one, is to keep our chickens cool in the heat.

CX chicks shipping out on Dec 18th. Now these guys I'll have to heat. My little polish/silkie is still diligently sitting in the nest box. What should I do if I want her to raise these CX? Should I move her to a little nest box in the broiler coop?

I was thinking today that I'd like an automatic car starter to get the car nice and toasty for me in the morning! Isn't that ridiculous! In 40 degree weather. I'd never survive somewhere cold. My chickens would. Not me.

 

[pipemum]

lkd, well, at least they are laying! haaha!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I don't heat my full grown chickens. Of course, this is the first winter I've had chickens, but every single thing I've read said chickens do not need heat in the winter as long as their coop is draft free. The people in NY and Maine aren't heating their coops, and even cooler n. arizona temps will never come close to NE winter temps. For example, no heating going on in this coop: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/841364/my-flock-arctic-storm-co-12-04-2013 Our struggle, and it's a BIG one, is to keep our chickens cool in the heat.

CX chicks shipping out on Dec 18th. Now these guys I'll have to heat. My little polish/silkie is still diligently sitting in the nest box. What should I do if I want her to raise these CX? Should I move her to a little nest box in the broiler coop?

I was thinking today that I'd like an automatic car starter to get the car nice and toasty for me in the morning! Isn't that ridiculous! In 40 degree weather. I'd never survive somewhere cold. My chickens would. Not me.

I suspect most folks in the far north do not heat their coops. Growing up in frigid MI, we never did. Of course we're talkin' fully feathered birds and not chicks. The stories of coop fires are devastating. It seems there were fewer this year as the first cold waves swept the country and I wonder if that has to do with better understanding that the chickens do not need the heat and learning from the tragedies. I think this particular story was helpful in that regard. SOOOO many things can go wrong with a heat bulb in the coop. If you decide to provide heat, make sure your coop is far from the house. I remember one story from a couple of years ago where the coop fire spread to the house and they lost everything.

I had to laugh about the automatic car starter. On a couple of these cold mornings I've been starting the car a few minutes early so it could heat up before driving the kid to school. My daughter is going to northern UT this weekend where there is a forecasted high of 14 degrees and a low of 4. She's going to get her first real taste of cold.

 

[Foxs Fowl Farm]

I don't heat my full grown chickens. Of course, this is the first winter I've had chickens, but every single thing I've read said chickens do not need heat in the winter as long as their coop is draft free. The people in NY and Maine aren't heating their coops, and even cooler n. arizona temps will never come close to NE winter temps. For example, no heating going on in this coop: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/841364/my-flock-arctic-storm-co-12-04-2013 Our struggle, and it's a BIG one, is to keep our chickens cool in the heat.

CX chicks shipping out on Dec 18th. Now these guys I'll have to heat. My little polish/silkie is still diligently sitting in the nest box. What should I do if I want her to raise these CX? Should I move her to a little nest box in the broiler coop?

I was thinking today that I'd like an automatic car starter to get the car nice and toasty for me in the morning! Isn't that ridiculous! In 40 degree weather. I'd never survive somewhere cold. My chickens would. Not me.

This will be my third summer with chickens....the heat does take its toll on our birds. I do my best to keep them happy. I have a few ways to help them out...

We have a little over an acre with fruit trees and big shade trees. We irrigate our property every other week. The birds love the wet mud under the trees. If you have an area to make mud, even a small area, they will be in it most of the day. They lay on damp dirt also. It cools their feet and bellies....

My ducks get 2 play pools to splash and cool off in. When I dump them, all of the water makes for a lovely muddy bath for all my birds. You will find all of them under the apricot tree, keeping cool.

Also, providing low sided feeding bowls filled with water. Some of my friends birds like to stand in the water. Like the black rubberized feeders you find at feed stores. Word of caution, baby chicks will drown in these so make sure it is not accessible to them. My friend lost her first baby chicks due to not having it out of their range. I have only seen a couple of my birds standing in the feeder dish.

I also freeze water filled soda, water and juice bottes. You can plop them in their free standing waterers for refreshing cool water.

 

[Foxs Fowl Farm]

I suspect most folks in the far north do not heat their coops. Growing up in frigid MI, we never did. Of course we're talkin' fully feathered birds and not chicks. The stories of coop fires are devastating. It seems there were fewer this year as the first cold waves swept the country and I wonder if that has to do with better understanding that the chickens do not need the heat and learning from the tragedies. I think this particular story was helpful in that regard. SOOOO many things can go wrong with a heat bulb in the coop. If you decide to provide heat, make sure your coop is far from the house. I remember one story from a couple of years ago where the coop fire spread to the house and they lost everything.

I had to laugh about the automatic car starter. On a couple of these cold mornings I've been starting the car a few minutes early so it could heat up before driving the kid to school. My daughter is going to northern UT this weekend where there is a forecasted high of 14 degrees and a low of 4. She's going to get her first real taste of cold.

I too have read of coop fires. An article in a poultry magazine about a guy that raised these beautiful white Leghorns. His breeding stock, all of his flock were killed due to a coop fire. He had to start all over. Oh, I would be sick if that happened. Good advice on making sure it can't spread to the house.

Don't they have cars you can start with a push of a button instead of a key? Dunno, I have an oldie but goodie. I have the next best thing....a 10 year old that loves to start the car up! Just hope he doesn't burn the starter up while he's at it right?!

I grew up in Washington state. I remember my wet hair would freeze walking to the bus stop. It would be all crunchy until it defrosted on the bus. That was in April! I am thankful for our wonderful mild fall/winter/spring seasons here.

 

[City farm]

What is your Hunters Stew recipe?

Turkey left overs,
Garlic, salt, pepper to taste.
Potatoes, carrots, onion, black olives & tomato Sause.
Most everything is to taste & cut to your preference..
Cook 350 for about 1 hour in a cast iron with lid pot.
If dry add H2o

 

[City farm]

 
I think I may have a strange Amerecauna on my hands. She literally lays and egg every day right now. Has been laying 5 days in a row takes a day off and then lays for another 5 days. I do not do artificial lighting and my RIR and BR are only laying about every other day. Anyone else have the same scenario or is she just a super chick? I didn't think she would be laying this much.

My EE does that.  Blue/Green egg daily, only she doesn't take days off. lol   ... actually none of my chickens takes days off... I'm guessing it's partially breed specifc and partially just the chicken in question.  I was told my Silkie would probably only lay once or twice a week average, but someone forgot to tell her this.  She lays daily rain or shine.  She has the cutest little eggs though.

That is so cool that you get a egg from your silkie that often.. The silkie we got from redrocketrooster has not layer yet, hope she lays as often as your girl...
Is she really friendly? I forget does she have feathered legs/ feet?