Arizona Chickens

[desertmarcy]

Tucson folks, I have a feed dilemma and don't know what else to do, so here it is: I am offering soy-corn free organic layer pellets, 50 lb bags, at cost, for $25.05. This is quality feed from Modesto Milling. I ordered 70 bags of chick starter and they sent me 70 bags of layer pellets in error. Now they have sent me the correct product, but I can't store this much feed and the freight company can't pick it up to return because the pallets are sitting in my dirt backyard and too heavy to move. Plus they won't return "loose" bags.

This has become a real headache and should not be my problem, but Modesto is not making it easy for me. They should just say "keep it!" But such is not the case. If I can sell these bags, then I can let them off the hook and solve my problem as well.

I have 60 extra bags and am located near Ina and Silverbell. PM me if you want any.

 

[carnivore]

The aquaponic systems look great.  I was thinking of putting in a decorative pond...but looks like I can do something better.  The initial sticker price holds me back from aquaponics though. 

I have seen an aquaponics store on craigslist that sells used but working equipment

Most people do get scared off by prices, and that is the fault of "instant entrepeneurs" trying to rip you off. It isn't just aquaponics, they are everywhere.
That said, the most expensive item in my setup was the greenhouse at $400. Next is the sump tank at $265. I paid $165 each for my IBC's (these are the larger 330 gallon ones). I built the grow beds myself from plywood and 2x12 lumber. With waterproof paint, pond liner, and lumber, they come to about $90 each. 2 submersible pumps at about $40 each, and probably about $100 in PVC pipe and fittings. I think I paid about $250 for 4 tons of gravel to fill the grow beds.
All together, less than $2000 for a sustainable food source of fresh veggies and fish. I believe the economy is going to tank. When you can't buy healthy food, or any food, growing your own is a definite plus. More chicken, anyone?

 

[K9Dave]

Most people do get scared off by prices, and that is the fault of "instant entrepeneurs" trying to rip you off. It isn't just aquaponics, they are everywhere.
That said, the most expensive item in my setup was the greenhouse at $400. Next is the sump tank at $265. I paid $165 each for my IBC's (these are the larger 330 gallon ones). I built the grow beds myself from plywood and 2x12 lumber. With waterproof paint, pond liner, and lumber, they come to about $90 each. 2 submersible pumps at about $40 each, and probably about $100 in PVC pipe and fittings. I think I paid about $250 for 4 tons of gravel to fill the grow beds.
All together, less than $2000 for a sustainable food source of fresh veggies and fish. I believe the economy is going to tank. When you can't buy healthy food, or any food, growing your own is a definite plus. More chicken, anyone?

I agree. I grew up on a farm and have been wanting to have my own ever since then. North is our plan. She can do her job from most anywhere and there's usually always a need for a Blacksmith most places. Chickens, hogs, cattle and goats are in my nearer future finally. Also always wanted a Horse drawn buggy so I hope to build myself one so I'll have to have Stock horse too. Wife is a city girl and looks at me funny when I tell her these things. I've designed a Cabin as well, that will have a Steel frame as well as a matching house for my Mother-in-Law and similar themed Chicken coop.

Hopefully I will have time to devote to aquaponics as this seems more my speed. I already have fish and would love to eat and raise my own are you kidding me? I'm from La. you know we like our fish. Have you heard if these Prawns people have on their systems now?

Edited

 

[Arizona Son]

Most people do get scared off by prices, and that is the fault of "instant entrepeneurs" trying to rip you off. It isn't just aquaponics, they are everywhere.
That said, the most expensive item in my setup was the greenhouse at $400. Next is the sump tank at $265. I paid $165 each for my IBC's (these are the larger 330 gallon ones). I built the grow beds myself from plywood and 2x12 lumber. With waterproof paint, pond liner, and lumber, they come to about $90 each. 2 submersible pumps at about $40 each, and probably about $100 in PVC pipe and fittings. I think I paid about $250 for 4 tons of gravel to fill the grow beds.
All together, less than $2000 for a sustainable food source of fresh veggies and fish. I believe the economy is going to tank. When you can't buy healthy food, or any food, growing your own is a definite plus. More chicken, anyone?

Just curious what you (and anybody else into aquaponics) do in the wintertime, to prevent the cold from killing your Tilapia or whatever fish you are raising? Does the greenhouse keep the water warm enough for the fish? Do you ever have to add supplemental heat to the water when the temperature gets down into the teens?

 

[carnivore]

Just curious what you (and anybody else into aquaponics) do in the wintertime, to prevent the cold from killing your Tilapia or whatever fish you are raising? Does the greenhouse keep the water warm enough for the fish? Do you ever have to add supplemental heat to the water when the temperature gets down into the teens?

Where I am (right at the border of Pima and Pinal counties), tilapia won't make it through the winter. Fillet time when it gets cold. The koi will survive even under a layer of ice. That said, tilapia will survive in Phoenix, and have even gone wild and living in the rivers. Heating of the tanks is economically unfeasible. The best bet is a closed greenhouse with a large compost pile. The compost will give off enough heat to keep the greenhouse warm, and you are still getting some solar heating.
K9, there is a good Australian website called Murray Hallam's Practical Aquaponics. Everybody knows Aussies are crazy, but many of them are raising crawdads in their tanks. I'll stick to fish.

 

[Sill]

Depending on your residence, there may not be anything you can do at all. We haven't had roaches in the 17 years we've lived in this area, until this year when the sewer roaches showed up. Obviously, they live in the sewers, so there will always be prime real estate for them beyond what you can control. You can request the local municipality or utility company to treat the problem, but when we were down in Phoenix, we found they tended to be smart enough to flee the sewers until the dangers were gone. And guess where they fled to...

I think the biggest problem this year is that we had such a mild winter, it didn't kill off any of the pests that it normally would. We've already had far more flies, scorpions and wasps this year than normal. When I had my full flock, my bug count was practically non-existent. Since we got rid of them, I've watched the numbers grow. Bonnie's flock is eating well at the moment.

I have a man hole cover right behind my back gate. I plug the holes with wet paper during the day so it dries over/in the holes before night. It keeps them from escaping. I replace it if the city workers knock them off or the critters eat through it.

oh no im so sry for your loss. i think its just a dogs instinct when a chicken flies. still so sad.


I am so sorry for your loss too Marcy for the chickens you lost yesterday. The heat is never our friend where our animals and plants are concerned.

l

Girl you are blessed.. Road runners have free range of any area.. The only thing I could think is keep your dog out.. our other dog did nothing durring our other dog going for the flock.. Our other dog loves hanging with the flock..
I just feel so awful.. With the kids home and being busy them them all comming/going, cooking & watching a movie last night I did not double lock the gate as I always do.. Right above the gate is where the teens are sleeping.. They shuffle & make noise as they are getting up on & off the palm fronds/gate/rope area.. So
that spells dinner to our dogs..

Most dogs are not predictable when a bird is flapping. Once their prey drive is triggered is is almost impossible to break them out of it.

The aquaponic systems look great. I was thinking of putting in a decorative pond...but looks like I can do something better. The initial sticker price holds me back from aquaponics though.

I've done all of mine on a budget. I've gotten free or cheap components off Craigslist, Valley Permaculture Alliance and through my DH's work (if they are throwing out a barrel he snags it). You don't have to spend a fortune! You can use anything that holds water, and it's fun to see what other people have used. I've even seen mini indoor systems made from Ikea containers! I've been collecting the tanks and barrels for almost a year and just now am starting to set up the first system.

 

[desertmarcy]

Organic feed update: I need to move this extra feed out of here fast before the rodents get into it. Good thing it is not the rainy season! I posted on CL: get 10 or more bags, $22/bag. That is less than the price at the mill and doesn't include shipping.

 

[Macboat]

Organic feed update: I need to move this extra feed out of here fast before the rodents get into it. Good thing it is not the rainy season! I posted on CL: get 10 or more bags, $22/bag. That is less than the price at the mill and doesn't include shipping.

Darn, your chickens eat better than I.

 

[pipemum]

Great price on the feed, desertmarcy. I've never seen chicken feed with flavors added, hahaha.

 

[Sill]

Organic feed update: I need to move this extra feed out of here fast before the rodents get into it. Good thing it is not the rainy season! I posted on CL: get 10 or more bags, $22/bag. That is less than the price at the mill and doesn't include shipping.

Oh I wish you were closer!