Arizona Chickens

[a little chiken]

Is this a closed or open group? I am not allowed to have chickens where I live and I am a very prominent business owner who has convinced her neighbors to turn a blind eye. I would love to join but only if closed.

closed I thing. I will make sure.

 

[desertmarcy]

I thought I'd give an update on our tiny patch of native grass we planted for the animals. We planted Thunder turf, a mix of Buffalo grass, Blue Grama and Curly Mesquite last spring and protected it from the chickens until it got a couple inches high. Overall, we're quite pleased with it and the animals just love it. For the most part it's fast growing enough to outpace the consumption by all the animals. Surprisingly, the tortoises have caused more damage to it than have the chickens. They graze paths right to the ground and early season forays through the center of the patch are still trying to recover. Hopefully the most damaged spots will fill in this winter while they're sleeping. Strangely, the chickens do not scratch while they're in the grass patch which really helped get it established. They love to sit in the grass in the evening.

Really cool, Gallo

From the photo, it looks like one type of grass. Can you see any mix of grass in there or is it all buffalograss? The website says the mix is 82% buffalograss and only 1% curly mesquite. I talked with a neighbor who has planted native grasses for her 5 desert tortoises, and she reported they liked the curly mesquite best. In fact so much, that they'd eat it to the ground and kept killing it. I may have to browse that website and see if they have pure seeds of grasses, to mix your own preferred mix? Out where I am, grass seed would have to be covered with some sort of wire or net to keep the desert vacuum cleaners---the doves and quail---from eating them all up before germination.

 

[City farm]

Recipe Details for Bread made with KAMUT Brand Khorasan Wheat

Bread made with KAMUT Brand Khorasan Wheat Flour

KAMUT

Brand khorasan wheat makes a sweet and nutty loaf of bread. No need to add honey or other fancy ingredients. PrintIngredients:2 Tablespoons Active Dry Yeast2 ½ Cups Warm Water2 Tablespoons Olive Oil2 Teaspoons Sea Salt6 ½ or 7 Cups KAMUT

Brand Khorasan Wheat Flour Preparationlace yeast in warm water in large bowl and let stand until yeast softens (about 5 minutes).Mix in the oil, salt and 2 cups of the flour, mix until uniformContinue to incorporate the flour slowly, beat with a wooden spoon.Knead on a floured surface for about 20 minutes, occasionally slamming the dough down to help develop the glutenPlace dough in a large bowl, cover tightly and let rise until double (about 1.5 hours). The dough will have spring, but will be more dense than a conventional wheat loafPunch dough down, divide into two loaves and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Shape into two rounded loaves and place in well oiled bread pans.Bake in a preheated oven at 425° F for ten minutes then reduce the temperature to 350°F and cook for 45-50 minutes more.Bread is done when crust is golden, it comes easily out of the pan and sounds hollow when thumped on the bottom. Cool on a rack. 

Thank you so much for sharing!! I will try this recipe when cooler weather approches..

 

[City farm]

I thought I'd give an update on our tiny patch of native grass we planted for the animals. We planted Thunder turf, a mix of Buffalo grass, Blue Grama and Curly Mesquite last spring and protected it from the chickens until it got a couple inches high. Overall, we're quite pleased with it and the animals just love it. For the most part it's fast growing enough to outpace the consumption by all the animals. Surprisingly, the tortoises have caused more damage to it than have the chickens. They graze paths right to the ground and early season forays through the center of the patch are still trying to recover. Hopefully the most damaged spots will fill in this winter while they're sleeping. Strangely, the chickens do not scratch while they're in the grass patch which really helped get it established. They love to sit in the grass in the evening.

When you first mentioned this grass, I passed the information onto my DH. He said he is willing to give it a try.. Will it grow all year? Or does it need to be re seeded??

 

[City farm]

Well ya'll today is going to be the first day i let some of my girls free range in my yard for a few hours but im kind of nervous like a over protective papa on his kids first day to school lol, I just hope they dont decide to hop the fence and wander out into the desert. Anyone have any suggestions to help keep them in the yard? 

Our chickens are highly trained to stay with in the premeter.. A few times they have checked out our neighbors house.. I use a squirt bottle.. They will not go far the first few days.. You'll be fine..

 

[City farm]

They'll stay where the good food is. My chickens can easily hop the 6ft block wall but never have. Except the Leghorn that I scared and she jump into the neighbors yard. I'm starting to train them to come when called. They love scrambled eggs the most. Keep their bellies full and they won't leave.

Im going to feed them heavy this morning before i take a few out, im hoping the tick issue will decrease after they start free ranging, i have 5 guinea keet there 9 weeks old i think it is still to early to let them free range right now, what do ya'll think?

Guinea are different. They will wonder.. From what I have read.. They do stay for a bit, but then wonder off..

 

[City farm]

Hi can anyone tell me if this is a cockerel or a hen as a friend of mine seems to think it could be a cockerel thanks daventony x

Hen.. Is she yours??

 

[City farm]

Ok this may sound gross but will dog feces hurt a chicken if they scratch and peck threw it? 

Yes gross & stinky..
They will most likely try it once, then never again..

 

[City farm]

I was going to go over to @desertmarcy
 today to get a couple new hens--an olive egger and possibly a RIR (maybe a Marans), BUT my car overheated last night. My wonderful new roomie is going to help me replace the bum fan today if we can get the part. Yeah, roomie (who also built the chicken pen). Boo, boyfriend who knows less about cars than I. JK, I love him. He has his good points. LOL. I also need to get chicken feed and rabbit feed (can they eat the same thing?).

Ah, life and its complications.

Did you go? What did you get..

 

[City farm]

Hey there!

I'm new to the forum and live in the outskirts of Phoenix. I was hoping to get some tips and pointers from those of you who understand "our" climate.

After considering getting chickens, I'm now leaning toward Coturnix quail (for eggs and possibly meat). My thought was to have them in an outdoor aviary (rather than a coop?) and possibly have doves or diamond doves in there also.

I was wondering how to manage the summer heat -- other than shade and water. I spoke with one person who tried misters for their chickens but said their chickens weren't smart enough to use them. So one question is what is necessary to keep the quail cool enough.

I am also wondering about the flooring of the aviary. We have bare dirt in the area I am considering for the aviary. It has a natural (not landscape) fine gravel on top. Any research I've done on quail (as opposed to chickens) doesn't seem to address this. It is all about small, raised box coops. so I haven't had much luck finding out detail on suitable flooring.

Any suggestions are welcome!

@Sill is in the know about Cotunix quail.. She will be chiming in soon.. She is awesome...