Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

Eggs are pretty much nonexistent over here. I have some ladies losing feathers all over and they are a year old. I think it's because of the type of chicken they are. I expect their life spans will be shorter than normal. They are broilers. I just couldn't bring myself to kill the girls they are so sweet. Their mean brothers went to freezer camp long ago.

Can you post photo's of your broilers? I bet they are big.. Are they active?

 

[City farm]

Yeah, 107 was almost a relief today.
The kiddie pool with sand in it appears to be a big hit in the pen. The mister system gets the sand just damp and draws quite a crowd.
Being one of those who spoils their furry and feathered family members, each afternoon around 4 or so we have a visit with the girls with ice cold fruit. It is a combination of spread out and hand fed. It gives me a chance to get a really good look at everyone and it cools them off some.
Everyone seems to have adjusted to the mister system and it may even force them to take in more water as it does most on their feathers which keeps them preening and cleaning.

That is the best part of the day.. Chciken television & dusk..

 

[City farm]

The chickens have almost stopped production. Thankfully the quail are going full force despite me moving most of the groups less than two weeks ago, and the ones that didn't get moved got new neighbors. They cut way back for a few days but now are back up to over 80% producing eggs. What cute little egg laying machines they are.

So beautiful Sill!!

 

[DesertChic]

A sweater!!

Portable A/C unit.. defiantly spoiled rotten brats you have there.. Last summer our girl's went broody as well.. That's why we have a whole new flock, with the exception of a few.. I miss our biefelder

yeah crying over a chicken.. Us GIRL'S cry..

Yeah....they're spoiled, but only because I haven't been able to finish the construction projects as quickly as I wanted to. Our business has been so busy that I just haven't had time to build more shaded outdoor runs, and if they have to be cooped up, which the young ones definitely do so they don't get picked on by the older, free-ranging flocks, I at least want to keep them safe and healthy. That chicken cabin gets really hot in the afternoon, so providing them with cool air helps a lot.

 

[City farm]

What a glorious morning. 7am and it is 86 with a light breeze. The pen is quite lively this morning as everyone is enjoying the morning. They are more active this morning than they have been since this latest run of +110° days started. Raw sunflower seeds will be the morning treat today.

It's like they can tell it will be cooling down.. They are celebrating..

 

[desertrocks]

Great advice, x2..

Not sure about the toad issue.. Some chickens will eat anything..
When it is over 107' I will give them a block of ice from the water store.. Spoiled brats.. Our misters are not working due to the calcium build up.. I need to work on that... Will add to the already LONG list.. Praying for helpers..

We are on well water here and the calcium is just crazy. We installed an R/O system for all the water we consume. Before that, the life expectancy of a coffee pot was under 1 year. That was 3+ years ago and we haven't replaced a coffee pot since. I am seeing calcium buildup on the mister heads and am seriously considering installing another small R/O system for the chicken area for that and their water also.

 

[City farm]

Awe, . It is cooling down soon..

I can relate, one of my daughters lives in Tempe and we are 1/2 way between Sun City and Wickenburg here.

Keep posted for the BYC seed box exchange date.. Coming soon.. Hopefully you and your daughter can join in, everyone is welcome to attend..Or if you are ever close by, pop on over for a cup of tea in the garden.. I just like saying, "in the garden" not now during the hot summer.. Although we do have some herbs, grapes, Cuban oregano,Goji berry.. Getting the bed's & pot's ready for winter season.. The banana plant won't produce till a season or 2..

 

[City farm]

We get those toads too.  A couple of times I've gone out at night and thought a chicken left me a present on the patio.  Only to find out that present moves  .  I put small ice bottles in the chickens waterer and make sure it's in the shade all day.  Ours have multiple damp or wet spots in the yard they can go to for relief.  So far so good.  Now that pre season football has started, I am pretending it's fall.  A girl can dream can't she…  Hopefully we are in the final push of summer temps. 

I dream all day girl!!!

 

[aviddamy]

They are about the same size as my Buff Orpingtons but very heavy.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

The chickens have almost stopped production. Thankfully the quail are going full force despite me moving most of the groups less than two weeks ago, and the ones that didn't get moved got new neighbors. They cut way back for a few days but now are back up to over 80% producing eggs. What cute little egg laying machines they are.

Is there a secret to cracking quail eggs? I found them hard to crack when raw and hard to peel when boiled.
delicious, though!