Arizona Chickens

[Bobby Basham]

Are these just several vines planted along one side of a run? My run itself is basically complete, minus the door and remaining hardwire screening to be installed, and extend some planter boxes around the perimeter. The hardware cloth only extends out 18 inches, so I was using that as a gauge for some narrow boxes. I don't know if any critter would wanna back up 18 inches and start digging beneath a planter box to get into a run. It would be nice to reserve those narrow boxes for some type of vines and maybe a few Lilac bushes and other aromatic plants.

I haven't decided what veggies to do yet, and may do those in separate, large boxes from the run because I have at least 15' clearance around the whole thing within my back yard. Sorry for the mini essay, but am interested in something that will provide shade with little maintenance. Thanks so much. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Looks a little confusing, but it's actually one open area (four 8x8 squares) minus
the 4x8 separated small deck.......


My mini chicken observation deck........


The large square opening to the left is for the gate/doorway.
The entire top and sides will be enclosed with 1/4 inch hardware
cloth.

 

[lacymorgan]

I am wondering if all my post are hidden I have not heard from anyone or gotten any email notices that someone posted here

 

[cyborg]

I am wondering if all my  post are hidden I have not heard from anyone or gotten any email notices that someone posted here

There have been problems the last week or so with the email notification system. Go to your preferences page, and make sure your notifications are set to immediate, not site only. Then make sure yo save the changes.

 

[lacymorgan]

There have been problems the last week or so with the email notification system. Go to your preferences page, and make sure your notifications are set to immediate, not site only. Then make sure yo save the changes.

okay will go look ty

 

[lacymorgan]

my new chicks are in Las Vegas and on the way here. I am getting Phoenix bantams and standard tie fly genetic hackle chicks. Sooooo excited to see them.

 

[City farm]

Update on the passion fruit vines. My vines grew like crazy last year and I ended up with hundreds of fruits, none of which matured in time before the first frost. The cold weather seemed to keep them from ripening properly. I'm hopeful that I will get fruit in time this year because they are so much further ahead right now than they were last year (they started flowering last week). I found that I had to hand pollinate the flowers until the bees returned, but the explosion of flowers was stunning! This vine is highly aggressive under daily drip irrigation and full sun (less so with afternoon shade). They fared well over the winter. The parts that were exposed to full frost lost their leaves, but with moderate protection from surrounding trees, most leaves survived. My chickens do not eat the leaves while free ranging, but I'm not sure whether regularly enclosed chickens would eat them or not. It might be an excellent candidate for providing shade for chicken enclosures, but take caution on where you plant it because of its aggressive nature. I'm super psyched that it's already moving over the top of the chicken coop and should reach the other side well before the grapevines do. A fair number of you requested cuttings last fall, so I put a bunch into the aquaponics grow beds and most survived. Yesterday I transplanted those into pots and they are ready for pick-up. I can't remember who all wanted one, but I recall that a lot of you were from the Phoenix area. If anyone can transport and distribute them up to the valley, that would be great. There are 20+ available. For those of you from Tucson that wanted one, PM me and we'll make arrangements. Pics from last year:
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Ooooo, yes on a couple!! And I will see who would like to go?? Anyone??

 

[City farm]

It's been a lot of hard work, but I'm finally getting my new chicken enclosures built in my cabin. My Bielefelders are finally enjoying their new home in a not-quite-complete pen.

Wow!! Looks fabulous

 

[City farm]

Update on the Ayam Cemani eggs, I did finally receive 6 eggs, even though the seller has been suspended by eBay. They have been in transit since last Wednesday, so I don't have high hopes. I have them settling right now, and will set them tonight, along with an assortment of Jersey Giant, Cochin, and Ameraucana eggs. Wish me luck!

Good luck!  I hope they turn out to be real Ayam Cemani eggs.  Would like to see one of those birds in real life.

X2!!

 

[City farm]

Guess who at my door! ?!

the infamous leghorn named chickles by my kids, lol!

What a brat, it is funny how they think they can go wherever they want.. Our jungle fowl do the same.. But they will be going to their new home this week.. Along with the last 4 youngsters that we have been raising for a family..
When do you plan on going to Tucson?? That would be awesome if you already have plans and we can host a BYC seed, plant event.. Let's talk later.. Thanks @Gallo del Cielo for all your work in growing the vine & sharing.. They are so beautiful

 

[DesertChic]

Wow!! Looks fabulous

Thank you!

It's putting my construction skills to the test. I think moving 4x8 sheets of plywood and piles of 2x4s alone is hard enough for a big strong man. Doing it as a lone and not-quite-so-burly woman is even more challenging.