Arizona Chickens

[carnivore]

You could try okra or devil's claw, they both do well in the heat. Have you ever tried fruit trees? I've seen some in systems; dwarf peach, citrus, olive and pomegranate. These were grown in southern Cal. but those trees do grow here in the ground. I would think they should take to aquaponics.

Oh I've seen some bad growing conditions at tilapia farms here in the valley. Yuck! The meat from those fish can't taste right. Clean systems will make a difference.

Most supermarket tilapia comes from China. You don't even want to know.

 

[K9Dave]

Careful not to overstock. The main drawback to barrel systems is that they don't give the fish enough room to swim.

@Sill, bluegill is another fish on my wishlist, another is striped bass. Az Game and Fish might disagree!

They would disagree with a lot of things that are going on everywhere. Just don't advertise it. They have bigger fish to fry. Lol. Just had to. I have african cichlids now in a 55 gal and was thinking about trying something with their set up. 80gal tanks should be fine for a few Brim in each I think.

 

[carnivore]

They would disagree with a lot of things that are going on everywhere. Just don't advertise it. They have bigger fish to fry. Lol. Just had to. I have african cichlids now in a 55 gal and was thinking about trying something with their set up. 80gal tanks should be fine for a few Brim in each I think.

Lol right back at ya! Tilapia are African cichlids!

I used to keep 5 tiger Oscars in a 120 gal tank. They were fine up to about pan size.

 

[K9Dave]

Lol right back at ya! Tilapia are African cichlids!

I used to keep 5 tiger Oscars in a 120 gal tank. They were fine up to about pan size.

Is love to rAise some large Brim to eat. Yellow Bass is good meat as well. Did you eat the Oscar?

 

[kevs-chickadees]

You could try okra or devil's claw, they both do well in the heat. Have you ever tried fruit trees? I've seen some in systems; dwarf peach, citrus, olive and pomegranate. These were grown in southern Cal. but those trees do grow here in the ground. I would think they should take to aquaponics.

Oh I've seen some bad growing conditions at tilapia farms here in the valley. Yuck! The meat from those fish can't taste right. Clean systems will make a difference.

The citrus trees worked? That's interesting, most the info you hear around here says that the citrus roots like to dry out between watering. Of course I know and understand very little about an aquaponics setup so maybe I'm misunderstanding the whole thing.

There is a couple of places hear in the valley selling the food grade totes for just over $100. I picked up 2 of the 275 gallon ones for a rainwater collection system. (unless that is illegal here then I didn't). Craigslist is plastered with their adds.

 

[carnivore]

The citrus trees worked? That's interesting, most the info you hear around here says that the citrus roots like to dry out between watering. Of course I know and understand very little about an aquaponics setup so maybe I'm misunderstanding the whole thing. There is a couple of places hear in the valley selling the food grade totes for just over $100. I picked up 2 of the 275 gallon ones for a rainwater collection system. (unless that is illegal here then I didn't). Craigslist is plastered with their adds.

I would avoid any IBC from CL without a positive guarantee of what was shipped in it. Many people will take them to a carwash and hose them out, then tell you it is perfectly safe. Many industrial chemicals are shipped in these things, and the chemicals can permeate the plastic. A tote can legally be used for food only once, then must be disposed (sold to somebody shipping pesticide?)or have the liner replaced. If you're really lucky, it may still have the shipping label stuck on the side.

 

[carnivore]

OK, Tucson chicken peeps, advice needed!
The chicken run I have been building is done. 650 sq. ft, 75% shade cloth over most of the roof and along the long east wall. Partial shade from roof overhangs on my wood shop. Ground covered with compost and seeded with BOSS, buckwheat, and Bermuda grass. Watered in morning and early afternoon. Perimeter wired with electric fence. 5 oldest chicks already moved in.
Due to desertmarcy's recent loss, I am kind of undecided about cooling methods. I was planning on a portable swamp cooler set up in one corner of the run. The other option is a misting system. The swamp cooler has the advantages of better cooling, and most of the portables have a timer already built in. Misters are cheaper, but I think less effective in a no wind situation, and setting up a timer for it can be a pain. I work nights, so with either option, a timer is a must.
I know the chickens don't particularly like wind or water, but they probably like heatstroke or death even less.
How do all you peeps handle the heat?

 

[K9Dave]

OK, Tucson chicken peeps, advice needed!
The chicken run I have been building is done. 650 sq. ft, 75% shade cloth over most of the roof and along the long east wall. Partial shade from roof overhangs on my wood shop. Ground covered with compost and seeded with BOSS, buckwheat, and Bermuda grass. Watered in morning and early afternoon. Perimeter wired with electric fence. 5 oldest chicks already moved in.
Due to desertmarcy's recent loss, I am kind of undecided about cooling methods. I was planning on a portable swamp cooler set up in one corner of the run. The other option is a misting system. The swamp cooler has the advantages of better cooling, and most of the portables have a timer already built in. Misters are cheaper, but I think less effective in a no wind situation, and setting up a timer for it can be a pain. I work nights, so with either option, a timer is a must.
I know the chickens don't particularly like wind or water, but they probably like heatstroke or death even less.
How do all you peeps handle the heat?

I'm a fan of minimal help with the weather. I feel that if I condition them artificially it weakens their defense against the heat. I'm in the heart of the city and my youngest (4-5 weeks old) are doing fine. I invested some time soaking a couple pieces of ground over a bit and they use this area to stay cool during the day. I was going to remove a Bouganvilla but they use it for shade so much I have soaked that area as well so the ground stays cooler under its leaves. Plenty of shade and fresh water kept in the shade is MY recommendation.

I have always tempered my working dogs to the summer by keeping them outside at various times in a kennel on a porch etc.
Artificial cooling hasn't been around for that long and chickens are dinosaurs.

 

[City farm]

I also lost a bird yesterday but to what looks like a most bizarre accident. An older production red that was given to me last year. I found her on top of the nest boxes, with a bloody foot and blood sprayed all over the adjacent roosts. On examination the only thing I could find wrong was it looked like some how she ripped a  toenail off. Otherwise not a mark on her. I have weirdo chickens

Oh boy no fun finding blood.. Hope you can figure it out.. Our rooster ripped off our BCM comb. That bleed for 4-5 hours.. Condolences from us..

 

[City farm]

Brim, Bream and Sunfish are pretty much called the same thing where I'm from. They taste so good to me. The only tilapia I've ever had was fast food and wild caught myself. Wasn't impressed with either. That's why I thought I'd try the ones I like to eat. With te barrel system I ahouldl be able to house several different species.

Careful not to overstock. The main drawback to barrel systems is that they don't give the fish enough room to swim.

@Sill, bluegill is another fish on my wishlist, another is striped bass. Az Game and Fish might disagree!

This all sounds exciting.. We think ducks are rad, but now our own fish.. Yum.. We might have to check this out.. I have heard of a family around Dobson & the 60, they turned their pool into a tilapia-green house- Eco system.. I will have to look for their info or try to remember who told me about them.. From what I recall they have a pool business..