Arizona Chickens

[Gallo del Cielo]

TRAGEDY over here! Something, probably bobcat, dug under my big end pen in my poultry house where I had housed all my growing Barred Rock cockerels and killed all but 3. I had 2 different line crosses of birds in there plus one older male (sire of one of the crosses). This is a real setback on my plans for this breed. I had 33 young males in there to choose from. 8 had already been selected to cull but hadn't had time to do it. Now I have only 3 to choose from and am out hundreds of dollars in feed, and many hours of time. In over 2 years time I had not had any breach of my poultry house, now this. Will be setting trap tonight for sure.

I do not have the time or energy to deal with these birds. Some are probably still okay to process, although they had been laying outside until noon today before I finished my other bird chores and was able to gather them all up, remove bands, and bag them. I have them in two big heavy duty plastic trash bags right now, in my cool garage, feet are cut off so as not to poke holes in the bags. I would estimate there is 100 pounds of chicken.

IF ANYBODY WANTS THESE BIRDS TO FEED TO THEIR DOGS, PLEASE CALL ME AND GET OVER HERE ASAP AND THEY ARE YOURS. I know some people feed raw to their dogs. These are all organically fed chickens.

Oh no!

How demoralizing. Do you have a wire apron around the bottom to prevent diggers?

 

[desertmarcy]

Oh no!

How demoralizing. Do you have a wire apron around the bottom to prevent diggers?

Unfortunately, not on that side. I never put one there because it would extend over onto the neighbor's property. I guess I will ask them if they mind. It would only extend over about a foot if I put a 2' wire down. I'm trying to decide what to do in front of some of the turkey pens that are also at risk. I planted 3 grapevines there so I can't easily put a wire apron down. I'd have to cut and fashion it around the base of the vines and of course it would rust faster because I am constantly watering the vines. Other choices are to dig the vines out, they aren't providing enough shade anyway so I have already bought and installed shade cloth. Or I could dig down a trench at the base of the fence and fill with concrete. Not easy either if I have to work around the vines. And I'd have to put up a temporary barrier to keep the turks out of the concrete until it sets, which would only take a day. What do you think, take out the vines? They are really more trouble than they are worth in that spot.

I'm going around looking at all the pens for potential weak spots. I know I have them as dig-unders. The rest of the pens and tops are very secure. I used up the last bit of 4' 1"x2" welded wire roll I had, but it in half, and it was enough to do one side of one turkey pen. About 25'. I have a little left over. Now I'm trying to decide, should I cut my new 6' roll in threes? Or go buy a new roll of 4'? I lose 2" every time I make a cut. Well I don't really lose 2", but there is 2" of sharp prongs on one side after cutting. Since it will eventually all get buried under rocks, I guess that doesn't matter.

I need to do this, I have been blindly going about my work with the birds hoping the piles of rocks and boards and what not I have put against the fence sides that don't have wire skirts will discourage dig unders. And it has until now. I just have a LOT of linear feet of fence here, as you know. So it has been pretty daunting thinking about doing it all. The main poultry house has good skirts on the east side and part of the south, and a 10" piece of metal buried on the other part of the south. The predators don't seem to dig under where they can't see through, so if it is a solid wall, I haven't worried about it.

The other thing I'm wondering about is if it is really necessary to secure the horizontal wire apron down. I clip it to the chain link with hog rings, but it is the outer side I'm wondering about. If I pile a lot of rocks on it, do you think that is enough? I have read some people use landscape "U' shaped wire to secure, but the soil here is so hard and rocky, I think stuff like that would just bend when I try to pound it in. I could use short pieces of rebar but can't bend it over to keep the wire from slipping off. Also it is a trip hazard unless buried. Suggestions?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:

Yeah, with the linear distance of all of your pens it would be a massive job. If the vines aren't helping, I'd definitely remove them. I'm not sure how fast the wire will rust underground. I should check mine to see how much rusting has occurred over the last five years. Most of that does not get regular watering above though. What are your thoughts about using 2" X 4" welded wire? While the 1" X 2" is superior, you're mostly worried about bobcats and coyotes and the larger wire would be cheaper and still keep them at bay. You know, lots of people on BYC don't bury their wire and I've not yet read a report of a predator circumventing an apron laid on the surface. Of course most of those people live in areas where grass can grow up and over to conceal them. If I were going to do that I'd make my own stakes out of 6 gauge wire. If they won't drive in, drip water from a hose to loosen the soil.

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote:
If the predators don't dig under where they can't see through, would a 2' high visual barrier help on that side near the neighbor's lot line?

 

[desertmarcy]

Yeah, with the linear distance of all of your pens it would be a massive job. If the vines aren't helping, I'd definitely remove them. I'm not sure how fast the wire will rust underground. I should check mine to see how much rusting has occurred over the last five years. Most of that does not get regular watering above though. What are your thoughts about using 2" X 4" welded wire? While the 1" X 2" is superior, you're mostly worried about bobcats and coyotes and the larger wire would be cheaper and still keep them at bay. You know, lots of people on BYC don't bury their wire and I've not yet read a report of a predator circumventing an apron laid on the surface. Of course most of those people live in areas where grass can grow up and over to conceal them. If I were going to do that I'd make my own stakes out of 6 gauge wire. If they won't drive in, drip water from a hose to loosen the soil.

I guess I'm thinking the 1" x 2" would also deter packrats from digging in while I'm at it. I have a lot of rocks that I can place on the wire. Too big to lay down on the driveway and too small to be useful for much else.

 

[desertmarcy]

If the predators don't dig under where they can't see through, would a 2' high visual barrier help on that side near the neighbor's lot line?

Yes I could probably do that, except towards the downhill side, I have to leave it open for the flood water to escape. Also thinking a 2' solid barrier might decrease air flow at chicken level. It gets so hot here in the summer. Still thinking

 

[cyborg]

Unfortunately, not on that side. I never put one there because it would extend over onto the neighbor's property. I guess I will ask them if they mind. It would only extend over about a foot if I put a 2' wire down. I'm trying to decide what to do in front of some of the turkey pens that are also at risk. I planted 3 grapevines there so I can't easily put a wire apron down. I'd have to cut and fashion it around the base of the vines and of course it would rust faster because I am constantly watering the vines. Other choices are to dig the vines out, they aren't providing enough shade anyway so I have already bought and installed shade cloth. Or I could dig down a trench at the base of the fence and fill with concrete. Not easy either if I have to work around the vines. And I'd have to put up a temporary barrier to keep the turks out of the concrete until it sets, which would only take a day. What do you think, take out the vines? They are really more trouble than they are worth in that spot.

I'm going around looking at all the pens for potential weak spots. I know I have them as dig-unders. The rest of the pens and tops are very secure. I used up the last bit of 4' 1"x2" welded wire roll I had, but it in half, and it was enough to do one side of one turkey pen. About 25'. I have a little left over. Now I'm trying to decide, should I cut my new 6' roll in threes? Or go buy a new roll of 4'? I lose 2" every time I make a cut. Well I don't really lose 2", but there is 2" of sharp prongs on one side after cutting. Since it will eventually all get buried under rocks, I guess that doesn't matter.

I need to do this, I have been blindly going about my work with the birds hoping the piles of rocks and boards and what not I have put against the fence sides that don't have wire skirts will discourage dig unders. And it has until now. I just have a LOT of linear feet of fence here, as you know. So it has been pretty daunting thinking about doing it all. The main poultry house has good skirts on the east side and part of the south, and a 10" piece of metal buried on the other part of the south. The predators don't seem to dig under where they can't see through, so if it is a solid wall, I haven't worried about it.

The other thing I'm wondering about is if it is really necessary to secure the horizontal wire apron down. I clip it to the chain link with hog rings, but it is the outer side I'm wondering about. If I pile a lot of rocks on it, do you think that is enough? I have read some people use landscape "U' shaped wire to secure, but the soil here is so hard and rocky, I think stuff like that would just bend when I try to pound it in. I could use short pieces of rebar but can't bend it over to keep the wire from slipping off. Also it is a trip hazard unless buried. Suggestions?

Yeah, with the linear distance of all of your pens it would be a massive job.  If the vines aren't helping, I'd definitely remove them.  I'm not sure how fast the wire will rust underground.  I should check mine to see how much rusting has occurred over the last five years.  Most of that does not get regular watering above though.  What are your thoughts about using 2" X 4" welded wire?  While the 1" X 2" is superior, you're mostly worried about bobcats and coyotes and the larger wire would be cheaper and still keep them at bay.   You know, lots of people on BYC don't bury their wire and I've not yet read a report of a predator circumventing an apron laid on the surface.  Of course most of those people live in areas where grass can grow up and over to conceal them.  If I were going to do that I'd make my own stakes out of 6 gauge wire.  If they won't drive in, drip water from a hose to loosen the soil.

As you know, I am currently building pens at my new house so I can get the chickens moved over from the old house. During my materials shopping, I ran across a deal at Tractor Supply. 48" 2 x 4 welded wire fence, 100 foot roll for $59.99 on sale.
Personally, I just lay down the skirt, and throw some big rocks and a few shovels full of dirt on it.

 

[desertmarcy]

As you know, I am currently building pens at my new house so I can get the chickens moved over from the old house. During my materials shopping, I ran across a deal at Tractor Supply. 48" 2 x 4 welded wire fence, 100 foot roll for $59.99 on sale.
Personally, I just lay down the skirt, and throw some big rocks and a few shovels full of dirt on it.

Yes, I just got their ad today and I see that 2" X 4". That is tempting. I'm just not sure it is going to do the job. 2" X 2" would be perfect but can't find it, that size may not be available.

 

[City farm]

I need a month as well as it's like buying your meat for half a year at 1 time. I need a freezer too. There are some for free in CL sometimes but they're all far away from me, and you have to be FAST.

OK, let's try making a list here and see what route everyone wants to go, once the list has been comprised.

All of our decisions will be made later but I think I can speak for everyone when I say that the meat should be Organic GMO free. Also ideas for where/what (I.e. @a little chiken)we purchase and what it's fed, decided later as well.

Add your name to the list please if you are INTERESTED in splitting any of the following.

K9Dave - Pig, Cow
@moms3cuties- Cow
@a little chiken- Pig, Cow
@Billiam- Cow
@kpgoldstar- Pig, Cow
@City farm-Cow
@kevs-chickadeesPig, Cow
@BeckyhsinglscCow
@flowerPig, Cow
@AZKatCow
@kacklinkellyPig, Cow

Update for those that showed interest here. I haven't forgotten and am getting settled into my new house. A few things need some renovations that were unexpected taking me away from these things.

Can't wait!!

 

[City farm]

Our broody Moma hen "tiny" the smaller jungle fowl hatched out the barnyard mix.. & the 3 French bresse blue or slash from Greenfire farms are pipping!!! So eggciting e
I had to do nothing!! Now that's what I am talking about...