Arizona Chickens

mirasmom Not everyone uses warmth even for new chicks. That of course only applies to the climate that is not cold. For myself I try to wean chicks from heat source before they are a month old or sooner in the summer time. Now that it is freezing I give them a little more time in the warmth but as soon as they are feathered it is room temperature only since I believe that it makes them more hardy.

Timskins Changed my mind again. I plan on ordereing eggs from a breeder. I will reach my target sooner if I use her birds since she is raising for the same or similar traits.
 
Quote: 95 degrees the first week, 90 the second and so on until you reach ambient lows.

95 degrees for week 1
90 degrees for week 2
85 degrees for week 3
80 degrees for week 4
75 degrees for week 5
70 degrees for week 6
65 degrees for week 7
60 degrees for week 8
55 degrees for week 9
50 degrees for week 10
45 degrees for week 11
40 degrees for week 12
35 degrees for week 13
30 degrees for week 14
 
95 degrees the first week, 90 the second and so on until you reach ambient lows.

95 degrees for week 1
90 degrees for week 2
85 degrees for week 3
80 degrees for week 4
75 degrees for week 5
70 degrees for week 6
65 degrees for week 7
60 degrees for week 8
55 degrees for week 9
50 degrees for week 10
45 degrees for week 11
40 degrees for week 12
35 degrees for week 13
30 degrees for week 14

I followed this schedule, pretty close anyway. We got our chicks the first of Feb and I had the entire garage at 80 with the brooder box at 90. I pretty much dropped 5 a week until I put them in the coop/run in April. I used a light bulb in the coop for another week or so then shut off the heat.
 
I know there have been other posts but I am asking because my ladies are still really girls. I have 6 chicks, all of them are less than two months old, and four are about 2 weeks. I just got a small coup and I wanted to know if I need to heat it or if they will be ok inside without the heat? I can close the doors and the vent at night which should let them stay pretty warm. Its gana be a little drafty as it was put together by someone else and they did an ok job or the kit was a bit skewy.

I am in Phoenix and we have been in the 40s overnight and it’s going to get colder in the next two months.

Thanks.

Holy Crap! You have 2 week old chicks that you want to put out in a coop with lows in the 40's? At 2 weeks they should be in a brooder with heat about 85 degrees. Someone else on here posted about the decreasing of heat over the time that they age. Absolutely that is critical especially since our weather is soooo much colder than normal. Can you put them in a garage or shed with a heat lamp for at least a couple more weeks? I put mine out in the coop at 5 weeks but days were still high 80's with lows in the 60's. Your little chicks will freeze in these unusually cold temps.
 
mirasmom  Not everyone uses warmth even for new chicks. That of course only applies to the climate that is not cold. For myself I try to wean chicks from heat source before they are a month old or sooner in the summer time. Now that it is freezing I give them a little more time in the warmth but as soon as they are feathered it is room temperature only since I believe that it makes them more hardy.

Timskins   Changed my mind again. I plan on ordereing eggs from a breeder. I will reach my target sooner if I use her birds since she is raising for the same or similar traits.


I probably wouldn't use heat if I live in Phoenix but up here its needed. My friend has lost 2 chicks this year. The 1st was a hawk & the 2nd froze last night. So sad! I made sure my babies were nice a warm tonight!
 
Well, I'm sure glad I'm not in dire need of the feed from the co-op! The second truck has been delayed and last I heard, there is no contact with the driver and they have no idea when it'll arrive. This storm is causing a lot of problems for everyone West of the Mississippi. It's absolutely beautiful weather here in North Peoria, but we're going up to Dewey for a Christmas party tonight. It's supposed to be 19* with a 90% chance of snow by the time the part is underway. Yup, perfect weather for a party!

Be safe all!

The past couple deliveries, it's been the Tucson truck delayed! We got ours delivered Friday, just in time for me. I had about 2 more scoops of fermented feed left. This time, I also got the broiler chick feed...I don't get the chicks until next week, but started a bucket of FF for them already.

Ugh, speaking of FF---I was planning on keeping the broiler FF going until the new chicks arrived...well, I didn't and just let the bucket sit. It's been 2 weeks? since the broilers were killed...and the bucket was rank and rotten. Not pleasant, but fed it to the compost so I guess it's not a complete loss.

Been feeding the layers T-day leftovers. They loved the sweet potato casserole, and didn't touch the pumpkin pie! I can't stand the stuff either, so I get it, lol. Still, I would have thought chickens would go crazy for pumpkin pie. And yes, I do realize it's not a great idea to feed chickens sweets, but once a year won't kill them. Oh, oh, they went nuts for all the stuff leftover from the turkey stock I made--didn't eat the skin or carrots, but the bones were picked CLEAN. They also ate the celery, which they won't touch raw.

This morning I found a huge bag of lentil or 21 bean soup that I must have frozen last year. Freezer burn, so I dumped it, frozen, into the run. They should have a field day. Mondays are rough on them, they don't get let out at all now that the mornings are so dark.

The broody little Polish/silkie is still doing her thing. I seriously thought she was dead after the first freeze a few days ago. I couldn't see her breathing, and I was poking her head and...nothing. Thought she was frozen to death. The nest boxes are super insulated, more for summer heat than winter, but she is a little thing. I was seriously regretting my thoughts on thinking it was foolish to heat in 30 degree temps. Well, I'll still never heat chickens here, but you know, facing a little frozen Polish is a bit heartbreaking. Anyway, she turned out to be fine. I've been taken her out 1x a day to make sure she gets some of the protein treats (mealworms), but within 30 minutes she's back in the nestbox. Dedicated little thing.
 
Its been mighty cold up here...22° now and tonights low...16°!! I am so amazed how these birds acclimate to these temps! They are doing great. I started my first batch of FF almost 2 days ago and think its lookin pretty good do far!

I have 2 new additions to my flock thanks to another success rehoming thru BYC! I know have a gorgeous black EE, named Ebony, and a RIR we named Ginger (from the movie Chicken Run NY daughters fav). I got an egg from Ginger today unless one of the others finally started laying. Its about time for several...and some are overdo (IMO). Anyways the new girls are integrating quickly. Ginger is already challenging hens at the top & Ebony seems content around 4th from the bottom. Both roosters have introduced themselves (if ya know what I mean) so that must be a good sign!

My chickens also enjoyed a few Turkey snacks. We never eat the gizzards & etc. so they got those with a bit of stuffing & taters. They also picked the carcasses clean, which still amazes the kids!

Hope you all have a great day & happy chickens!
 
:eek: The heart, gizzard & liver! :drool That is my favorite part of the bird. I go to Lee Lee's and always by some of all three. However, because I can not eat fatty liver, I have to by 2X as much, and I always ask for only the reddest livers. Some of the immigrants, I noticed, like the fatty ones. Fat is good in a lot of cultures still. Long hard days and not enough calories. Some are as I am, go for the great livery flavor of healthy liver. Both my sister and I grow up on chicken livers. I could not explain why chicken liver was so hard to come by. So I fixed them for her. First the good livers. Then the larger yellow ones. The stink from the yellow ones made her a believer. It had a kidney / urn / metallic oder. Most people today, the first time they have chicken livers have had 2 strikes against them right off the start. First they are fatty, not the famous Goose liver fatty but, cirrhosis of deliver, type fatty, secondly they are cooked way past done. Liver picks up a nasty coppery tinge with a grainy dry chalky texture, most unpleasant. It should be soft and silky smooth, rather rich taste with a slight hint of iodine in a good way. Fried with caramelized onions, deep fried in a light batter, are so satisfying. I compare it to Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Collard and Mustard Greens that have been cooked to death and archived that dark, put ride brown-green color, compared to cooking until tender only or Al dented add a squeeze of Lemmon to keep the bright color and compliment the flavor and a touch of salt to activate the sweetness, what not to love. We do not like this or that... It is for one of 2 reasons, we were born with taste buds really and true lay find certain food bitter, or it was fixed wrong, that is why you always have to taste foods over and again when presented differently. Example, to this point all yellow & white cheeses covers up the meat flavor of a hamburger for me, but I still taste different cheeses on hamburgers when presented to me. I found I really like Stilton Cheese on hamburgers, much to my surprise, when in balance.

Flower was here for a few days, while here I made pasta for the first time in years. I forgot just how good home made pasta is, and how easy it is. Flower and eggs, that's it. You do not have to add Semolina, but it is better. In 5 minutes mixed, let it rest, then finish it. You can make a big batch, cut off what you want to use, put the rest in the frig. Cut off some more the next day work Basil, thyme, rosemary or saffron, one or more Amy combination, cheep, filling starch and eggs. Pasta was once served as a salad or the first course, to take the hunger off. Or served as a side dish, probably without sauce.

Think fresh pasta, with left over turkey (any meat and even sea foods) with a light white sauce that has had Provolone and Mozzarella slowly infused, giving the sauce a little more thickness and deeper richness, grate a little fresh Parmesan cheese on top, salt & fresh cracked pepper on top..... Garnish with small sweet tomato's on the side. :love And you and you family will be eating pure love. Add a little white wine to the simmering sauce and kick it up a notch. You can add Tabasco or sprinkle chipotle pepper, as you like it, take it in a different direction. Turn it is to a pepper sauce, crush Grains of Paradise, the smokey Long Pepper, and fresh black, green, and red pepper to gathers mix into your sauce and let it mingle to gather, for the permeate into the creamy goodness. So simple so good.
 
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Timskins: I would love it. First see what is in my budget. How much feed do they require? I would love at lest 10, I will help butcher them and yours. It is easyer when not alone, and ...... Well.... What I want is chicken livers. I do not know if it is even Possable to get good livers out of them. I have thought of just getting a bunch of barn yard mix, butcher early and small birds. Eating for one, a small bird would work. I have discovered I am one of those that can cut the throat of a stranger, but very hard to cut the throat of someone I know. I didn't expect that.


Maybe New Jersey Giant, if they grow faster. But I am sure they would still be boney.

Sounds good I will let you know.

Hummmm.. Tempting.

I think we would like to wait untill the next time.. So much holiday food left overs... :thumbsup


It would probably about 3 months maybe less till they are ready to eat.  :)


Great keep us in mind..
 
Sad day here in our home, :hit
We have an appointment at the vets for our 20 year old dog. Foxy..
This is the boys 2nd time going to the vet.. Our other dog was around
20 as well. They were little then.. Boy did we miss her.. Still do.. It is hard
finding a amazing dog.. One that can go camping, not eat the cats,chickens
Or attack other dogs.. Both of them we great.. Well actually foxy would
of loved to eat a chicken.. But not Coco... Our new German shepard wants to
eat chickens & cats.. :barnie
 

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