Arizona Chickens

[ChuskaMtns]

I would be a bit reluctant to use PVC. It's not stable in the sun and will become brittle over time, especially in our environment. I get what you're looking for in a transitional place though. Do keep in mind that such a tractor will be terribly vulnerable to predators compared with a fixed coop unless you take extra precautions. Having said all that, I made a similar structure to use as a day brooder for my first chicks. Since then it's been mostly used as a place to be out of the sun or rain while they're free-ranging. I used 6" X 6" concrete re-mesh as the structural material to make the hoop shape and I covered that with hardware cloth. The re-mesh can be bought as panels (4' X 7') or as longer 4' wide rolls. I think the panels are about $8 at HD. I used two panels to cover the 4' X 8' wood frame I made, which resulted in a hoop 32" high.

I love how you made this Gallo! You are truly the all knowing, wise Gallo! That looks very sturdy and predator proof.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I love how you made this Gallo! You are truly the all knowing, wise Gallo! That looks very sturdy and predator proof.

Awww, you are too kind. Really though, while it's incredibly sturdy, it's not predator proof. Anything could dig under the bottom, it really needs a fold up apron around the edges. I used to put the tractor onto my concrete patio to hold broody hens and their eggs. I felt a bit better when they couldn't dig under, but even then I worried that a really strong critter could lift it up to gain access. Fortunately, I never had a problem with it.

I have to confess though, I have a small flock of chickens I took in for a friend and they are in it right now. I worry about them every night.

I originally made it just for the day use of chicks and only when I was outside, so I wasn't too concerned with predators. Other than the wood in it, it was made almost entirely from wire salvaged from other projects. In fact, it started out as a garden hoop row cover. Over time I added layers of protection.

Here it was in it's original state:



View from the inside:

 

[K9Dave]

@MagicChicken which TSC did you go to for those panels? We need some and $20 is a great price.

 

[City farm]

I have family members and neighbors who are already asking for eggs and I haven't even gotten my chicks yet. I think they are looking forward to it as much as I am. Well, I doubt it, but they are looking forward to eggs. Haha.

It is good to have your neighbors on board..

 

[City farm]

Thanks for the warm welcome! We "think" the chickens are about 15 weeks old now. The neighbor's daughter-in-law said three different sets of chicks hatched, so we are not sure about their ages. We recently found out that all 7 of them have an Orpington for a daddy; and six of them have a RIR for a mother and 1 has an Australorp for a mother. So, I guess we have a flock of barnyard mutts! We are very anxious to find out which ones are pullets and which ones are roosters. And need I say again that we are really looking forward to our first egg?! I will attach some pics of our little ones.

They are georgous girls.. We have barnyard mutt's as well.. Silkie rooster & E.E. production red, jungle fowl,and we think a barnvelder.. Or SLW, if not a barnvelder... We just some chick's for our broody hen's, those are wheaten Ameraucana, isbar, German bielefelders.. We also put 3 eggs under another hen.. Thse are French bresse blue or splash.. ..

 

[City farm]

YAY ARIZONA CHICKENNNSSSSS!!! ooppps, sorry, got a little excited about finding this thread. I am in far east Mesa. I have two buff hens, one buff Roo, one white Americana(SP?) hen, one rescue Americana?? and a drake and hen Muscovy duck pair! The chickens are 22 weeks aprox and the ducks are 20 weeks aprox. I am eagerly awaiting first eggs. I went out and "prepared" the nesting area with shavings and hay, made little nests and placed golf balls in last night. tonight I found that someone or more than one someone got up in there and kicked all the hay out, moved all the golf balls around and generally made a big ol mess. HAHAHAH here are some pictures of my feather kids Pita and Houdini (DS8 in the background) Houdini BBQ the "white americana" Nugget or Bemo (they are twins) Fearless Our little rescue, who i got because i was dying waiting for eggs (she doesn't lay either) The ducks again. Sorry to bombard with pictures, I LOVE my kids. HAHAHAHAH Now they just need to GIVE ME EGGGGGSSSSS!!! Also, did I see that someone is having a party in October? I want in!

Wow! You figured out how to post photo's straight out.. Yeehaaa.. We are having the party.. We are always having parties.. Love your chicken's names..

 

[Twinklin]

Poor Miss Tea

 

[a little chiken]

HELP

ok I have a 6 month old Naked Neck hen. she has laid a few eggs (I have 2 same age) 1 has been laying every other day the other only about 4 eggs since she started. I have not received any eggs from them in about 3 days. yesterday I was feeding and noticed Laverne was laying down but she looked like she was dust bathing. I put my foot near her and she jumped up and walked around and then started pecking at the ground. Today I go out and she is laying down again and kind of on her Right side. I picked her up and set her back down to see if she could stand and she did. she walked 2 steps then layed down and kinda turned on her right side. I felt but cannot feel any eggs, her crop was empty and I smelled her mouth and no foul smell. I brought her in my house, put her in a create and gave her food and water and she started eating. WHAT could be going on? I cannot find my chicken bible and this is my favorite NN. I am going to give her save a chick in her water. her comb and wattles are nice and red. she looks good not droppy. I am so worried. TIA for any help.

 

[cyborg]

I picked them up from Home Depot, but I don't remember what I paid for them.  I just checked their web site and they're not giving the price because they are out of stock (your HD may have them in stock).  I see that the 12' versions are $23.62, so the 8' ones will be somewhat proportionally cheaper.

Yeah, the 8 footers are generally around $18.

 

[a little chiken]

I wonder why white and buff AMs are so hard to get now? They used to be the "common" color. I'm finding the same thing with the black orps which are pretty much the foundation of much other colors. One of the things I'm concerned with breeders so interested in breeding the new color they forget about the colors already existing and those colors end up becoming rare.
I also have alpacas, 2 huacayas and 1 suri. I do rescue and get more calls to take in alpacas than llamas. Alpacas are more difficult to place too since they aren't multipurpose like llamas, a llama can be trained to be pack, pull a cart and some are excellent guardians. I have one llama gelding that stomps rats and mice but does go after strange dogs and coyotes - best guardian to have! I've been spinning up a ton of alpaca and llama yarn these days blended with silk. I got real close to getting silkies this past weekend just so I could incorporate their feathers into alpaca fiber for yarn but then figured I can ask if anyone here would sell me some. There's that chicken math at work again and I'm pretty good at justifying why I need more chickens plus they don't eat as much as dogs, alpacas, llamas or horses!

I have no idea what a Huacayas or a suri are. Both of my Alpacas I took in because the ppl are moving and cannot take them with them. Half my dogs, all my cats, my geese (cept one) all my guinea pigs, 2 of my rabbits and 4 goats and my ferret are all rescues. Everyone teases me that I should open a rescue but I dont think so, I already have enough. lol Once we move and get more room I would be willing to take in more alpacas and llamas. they are awesome and I have to learn all I can to become a leader for my sons 4-H group as he wants to show them.

Awww, you are too kind. Really though, while it's incredibly sturdy, it's not predator proof. Anything could dig under the bottom, it really needs a fold up apron around the edges. I used to put the tractor onto my concrete patio to hold broody hens and their eggs. I felt a bit better when they couldn't dig under, but even then I worried that a really strong critter could lift it up to gain access. Fortunately, I never had a problem with it.

I have to confess though, I have a small flock of chickens I took in for a friend and they are in it right now. I worry about them every night.

I originally made it just for the day use of chicks and only when I was outside, so I wasn't too concerned with predators. Other than the wood in it, it was made almost entirely from wire salvaged from other projects. In fact, it started out as a garden hoop row cover. Over time I added layers of protection.

Here it was in it's original state:



View from the inside:

Gallo do you still have predator problems? Your coop is so nice and so is your tractor. I love your yard. You are so good at making your chickens and your landscape all blend.