Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

Thank you so much @mom-to-5 for the seeds!! We have never planted the fordhook giant..
The Swiss chard that we have from ths summer is so pretty I could not take it out. Plus I figured the jungle fowl would eat it.. They come & go as they see fit..now that one is broody, I have noticed "tiny" the other girl has not been out as much.

 

[City farm]

Are you planning on keeping him?

As it turns out, now that the chickens are dry, it looks like a hen with 1/2" spurs. The feathers and barring are much crisper than the production BR's I have so I'm guessing it is a heritage BR. Or at least Heritage BR cross. It is also much heavier than my production BR hens. It looks like a tank.

Yeah that is different.. @moms3cuties has one with a spur. I wonder about that? Any crowing yet?

 

[City farm]

so we survived the great flood of 2014. actually we were flooded worse a few weeks ago but everyone got very very wet. everyone survived it. 

Girl you said it.. " we survived the great flood of 2014" it was crazy! I have cuts & sore from moving all those containers of H2o.. We really need to do something here so I am not out fight the storms.. Every time..

 

[Bobby Basham]

Bobby, I love that you added a chicken television area!!

Thank you, City Farm.

This is something that I have been planning for years, many, many drawings and modifications. I rarely take the "Plunge" and jump right into things. I often think about consequences and repercutions for every move I make.

I think this design is alittle more interesting than my original square-box that I came up with years ago. The structure comes first, then work my way inside. The chicken television area may also just be a simple flat deck/platform of wood strips. I don't wanna sit out there on dirt. Since the base of the entire run will be 2x8x8, I can easily build a small, raised deck using 2x4's to support a park bench, end table and some lighting around the area. I could easily frame out that section and screen and cover it using some aluminum door screening and adding an extra door, only to keep out extra bugs and misquitoes.

Maybe I'll do another drawing, it seems I still got that talent, and really want to share it with everyone. I hope the folks enjoyed my drawings so far.

If I don't do the solar thing, I may run a burried extension cord (and speaker wires), not deep, maybe an inch deep covered using some PVC pipe. Don't tell the electric company because that's a no-no unless you have a qualified electrician to do the work. Geez, it's just an extention cord not going to a fuse box and multiple outlets. Other than the electrical aspect, It won't be plugged in 24/7, but my speaker wires will run through there from an amp on the patio or within the house.

Okay, I'm gonna think hard about that chicken television area. Who knows, it may be another six months before I get the jobs (run and side deck) done. For the meantime, I'm still planning and revising what I want to do.

I just want a nice, peaceful, entertaing area when I retire and get into GARDENING! I really want to get into that and all these aspects of Fodder and Fermented Feeds.

Could have retired last year, but the income would put me in the poverty house and possibly lose my home, so I have to hang in there for two more years. Keep me in your prayers and promise to keep you all posted once I break ground on my projects. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[City farm]

Some pics of my new domicile and work place.

Chicken Coop & Covered Run
Workshop
Livestock Area (currently housing 13 Roosters)
Dog Barn (fully insulated w/ A/C)

How cool, can't wait to come & visit.. What a great move.. So far it is @Sill & @moms3cuties plus myself for the processing class? Right..

 

[cyborg]

I just want a nice, peaceful, entertaing area when I retire and get into GARDENING!  I really want to get into that and all these aspects of Fodder and Fermented Feeds.

Could have retired last year, but the income would put me in the poverty house and possibly lose my home, so I have to hang in there for two more years. Keep me in your prayers and promise to keep you all posted once I break ground on my projects. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Hey Bobby, I too, am looking at retiring in a few more years. I just bought a new house, but cut a deal with the previous owner to make accelerated payments, and pay it off in 5 years. That is my timeline.
I spent 17 years paying a ruinous amount of child support, and in that 17 years, I learned to live on practically no income. Once the house is paid for, I'm a free agent.
I could easily live on Social Security (if there's any left), but, even without SS, I am working NOW to become as self-sufficient as possible. With my chickens and eggs, and greenhouse with fish tanks and veggies, eating won't be a problem. I also do some woodworking, carpentry, and gun smithing on the side, that can provide some folding money for the inevitable emergency expenses. I also do a little gemstone cutting, but those all get ratholed for a rainy day.

So. Back to your chicken run. I noticed in one of your drawings, you made your screen roof panels hinged. Why is that?

 

[FeatherPugs]

@Bobby Basham - Keep the 8x8 and ditch the 8x6. My DH said to build 8x8 and I said that would be too much room so he built it 8x6. NOW I'm swallowing those words and sweet talking my DH into trying to "add on" to the coop - I know......I know. Live and learn - now I'm passing it on!!

 

[cyborg]

Oh, and for all of you asking about sweet potatoes, do a little research, and you will find that pound for pound, the sweet potato is about the most nutritionally dense crop you can grow. Besides, they taste good!

Think I'll throw some in the oven now!

 

[chicksurreal]

Oh, and for all of you asking about sweet potatoes, do a little research, and you will find that pound for pound, the sweet potato is about the most nutritionally dense crop you can grow. Besides, they taste good!

Think I'll throw some in the oven now!

Yummy!

 

[FeatherPugs]

Shameless for sale plug!!! Friends, I have for sale a “Chicken Fountain”. You can see it at www.chickenfountain.com. It has 5 nipples on each side. I have never used it as I’ve really don't have a set-up that is conducive to using it. I bought it a couple years ago and it’s just been sitting in my storage. I purchased it for much more than they are asking now. I’ll let it go for $75.00 OBO – email me at [email protected] if interested.