Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

Here's what was on either side of the top underside of my carport a week ago, like two sentinals: These are Western Screech Owls. I am glad to have them around, they are good mousers.

How beautiful... Thanks for sharing

 

[a little chiken]

So far they like it.. @arizonachicken took one..

no I didnt take any of the feed Desert Marcy had. we have not switched to organic feed yet.

 

[kpgoldstar]

K9 Dave you are doing the FF right. I don't add ACV however, it really isn't needed. When you first start out you proabably want to keep it a little wetter, but as you go a drier formula is easier to feed out. In our weather I think it ferments really fast and can get 'ripe' smelling. I make smaller batches in the warmer weather for that reason plus they don't eat as much. This is what I use to feed

It's one of those desk organizer things you get at Ace for less then 2 bucks. I have an engraving store so we fashioned this holder out of scrap acrylic to hang on the side of the coop. That way I can take the tray out each day to refill it. I feed the main ration in the AM (less than 1/2 c. per chicken right now) and they get a small snack in the afternoon when I get home from work and they get let out to free range.

Here's another angle with my little Lemonhead posing in the background


As for the scratch debate I don't give it in summer. All I know is when my girls have it as a treat, they drink and drink and drink so even if it doesn't raise body temp, they are certainly thirsty from it.

 

[K9Dave]

K9 Dave you are doing the FF right. I don't add ACV however, it really isn't needed. When you first start out you proabably want to keep it a little wetter, but as you go a drier formula is easier to feed out. In our weather I think it ferments really fast and can get 'ripe' smelling. I make smaller batches in the warmer weather for that reason plus they don't eat as much. This is what I use to feed It's one of those desk organizer things you get at Ace for less then 2 bucks. I have an engraving store so we fashioned this holder out of scrap acrylic to hang on the side of the coop. That way I can take the tray out each day to refill it. I feed the main ration in the AM (less than 1/2 c. per chicken right now) and they get a small snack in the afternoon when I get home from work and they get let out to free range. Here's another angle with my little Lemonhead posing in the background As for the scratch debate I don't give it in summer. All I know is when my girls have it as a treat, they drink and drink and drink so even if it doesn't raise body temp, they are certainly thirsty from it.

I have mine in a 3 gal bucket with about 6 inches of water, covering about 4 inches of feed. I've been using the same water and everything for around a week now. Just keep adding to the mix everytime I scoop some out with my little cat litter scooper. I have been feeding just what they eat and they also free range during the day. Is this not right?

 

[kpgoldstar]

Updates:
My cockroach problem seems to have tapered off. No more in-house sightings and it seems that they only come out every 3 nights or so. I am using a mayo jar with beer and honey in the bottom as a trap and have caught quite a few. We run the sprinklers on the lawn every evening right before I let the girls out so that area is nice and cool and they can wet their feet. The extra moisture is contributing somewhat to the issue I'm sure. As long as they are confined to one area and they aren't multiplying I can live with it.

My broody hen is just that, still broody. She is eating well at breakfast time and she comes out with her sisters in the evenings. I'm not planning to break her unless I see her not eating or drinking or if it lingers longer than 3 weeks. Last night after dark we removed her from the nest box and put her on the roost, not sure how long that lasted but I have read of others doing the same. They can't find their way back in the dark and if they wake up in the morning for several days not in the nest it can make them forget about it. I'm pretty sure she isn't laying as we've been getting just 2 eggs a day from 4 hens the past week or so.

I'd like to keep track of the seed box. I have several trips planned down to the big City this summer but really won't need it for a few weeks. I know I am coming to Chandler the weekend of August 2 for my daughter's baby shower so if I could arrange to get it then that would be ideal. I can either go through it while I'm down there or bring it home and add my own seeds then either pass it to our new friend in Golden Valley or I will bring it back when the baby is due which is around September 9.

What a nice reprieve we've had the past week or so! Even on the few days we reached 113 my girls did fine. My run is small but it has a full trussed roof. They are in shade most of the day and I placed shadecloth on the West side where they had direct sun for about 2 hours in the afternoon. I have a water tray but they don't use it. I am not planning on misters or fans.

 

[City farm]

So far they like it.. @arizonachicken took one..

no I didnt take any of the feed Desert Marcy had. we have not switched to organic feed yet. 

You are funny @alittlechicken.. @arizonachciken took a bag.. The names look close.. Your DH is @mrlittlechicken.. Now that is close in spelling..

 

[kpgoldstar]

I have mine in a 3 gal bucket with about 6 inches of water, covering about 4 inches of feed. I've been using the same water and everything for around a week now. Just keep adding to the mix everytime I scoop some out with my little cat litter scooper. I have been feeding just what they eat and they also free range during the day.

Is this not right?

Some people choose to replace what they feed out daily which is fine. I make enough to feed out about 4-5 days, then when I am down to one feeding left, I add enough feed and water for another 5 days. Be the next morning it is nice and sour and ready to feed again. I have been using the same bucket since October.
I don't keep a layer of water over mine. I find it easier to feed if it doesn't need to strain. When I make my new batch it is usually soupy to start, but the feed gets absorbed and it is more grout-like consistency. Either way is right, just personal preference.

 

[K9Dave]

Some people choose to replace what they feed out daily which is fine. I make enough to feed out about 4-5 days, then when I am down to one feeding left, I add enough feed and water for another 5 days. Be the next morning it is nice and sour and ready to feed again. I have been using the same bucket since October.
I don't keep a layer of water over mine. I find it easier to feed if it doesn't need to strain. When I make my new batch it is usually soupy to start, but the feed gets absorbed and it is more grout-like consistency. Either way is right, just personal preference.

thank you. I typically try everything that sounds good to me at least once. Never hurts to gain some knowledge.

Love this group for that reason.

Found a possible place in Mesa but they don't allow chickens. They normally don't allow dogs either but I trained a dog that works for Mesa K9 and told him that, he seemed to be better with the idea. So East Side I may be coming.

 

[a little chiken]

You are funny @alittlechicken.. @arizonachciken took a bag.. The names look close.. Your DH is @mrlittlechicken.. Now that is close in spelling..

rofl

yep I did mess that one up.

 

[carnivore]

Things are moving, finally. Buying a bigger place about 10 miles west of where I live now. 2 acre lot, so plenty of room for chickens. Already has a small shop, a haybarn, and a horse corral. Making plans on enlarging the shop for all my woodworking equipment, the corral will become a large chicken run, and possibly put breeders in the haybarn. Probably will build a large garage for my bike and truck. No more working in a gravel driveway! The place I have now is so tiny, I have already built fence to fence.