Arizona Chickens

[desertrocks]

Where can you get those metal pans? 

I got them at Tractor Supply for $3.99 each. They also have a small one, about 12" in diameter that I put oyster shell in and just change out once a week.

 

[moms3cuties]

 
Does anyone here make their own fodder? If so, where do you buy your barley?

Also, what is everyones watering system? I'm just refilling a bowl every day but it gets moldy and I need a new method. 

I use a bucket hung from the top of the run with a nipple on the bottom of it. I have a hole in the lid to feed the hose through and the hose is on a splitter so it stays there all the time so I just turn the hose on and it fills without me having to drag a hose around or carry a heavy bucket. On hot days I fill a shallow pan with ice water too.

Could you take a picture of your watering system so I can see what it looks like? Thank you!

 

[moms3cuties]

I plan on trying fodder in the fall with wheat, haven't chosen a seed source as of yet.

I use both double fount and hanging nipple watering buckets in both of my pens. They tend to stand in the fount waterers so I clear them a couple times a day. The water in the buckets keeps far better but as daytime temps are still in the triple digits, I make sure they have multiple sources. I also use galvanized how feed pans that are the size of oil drain pans. I put an inch or 2 of water in them around noon and dump them each evening. They stand in the water to dissipate heat by cooling their feet and drink the water.

Don't the pans get hot?  It seems metal would get really warm.   I just use the WalMart oil drain pans - $1.98 I think these days but they work just fine for standing in and its a riot to watch a girlie finish laying her egg and run for one of the pans, steps in and drinks at the same time.   Hopefully someone will chime in with where they get their fodder seed - wheat or barley, whatever.  My girls are really craving greens again - I think its a molting kind of thing!!

I myself would prefer the plastic to the metal pans for them even though it's in the shade I do use in the shade Huge flower pot saucers but I think the oil drain pans would be larger that you can put more water in it so it can stay cool for longer under the shade. But this is just an opinion from an ongoing Medical student and Somebody who is very particular about what her chickens get To use!.. The other thing is I'm not sure I would want them to drink from galvanized steel pans. But those are just my thoughts and preferences.

 

[moms3cuties]

Don't the pans get hot?  It seems metal would get really warm.   I just use the WalMart oil drain pans - $1.98 I think these days but they work just fine for standing in and its a riot to watch a girlie finish laying her egg and run for one of the pans, steps in and drinks at the same time.   Hopefully someone will chime in with where they get their fodder seed - wheat or barley, whatever.  My girls are really craving greens again - I think its a molting kind of thing!!

Actually no because they are in the shade. I am lucky enough to have people that bring me fresh greens every week so mine get them regularly. Spinach, kale, baby arugula, lettuce, they seem to like it all including most fresh herbs except parsley. The Red Sex Link loves the pans and likes to have one all to herself.

cute picture! !!!
I can't find on the mobile app the Happy face icons, hmm...

 

[Twinklin]

Could you take a picture of your watering system so I can see what it looks like? Thank you!

It's this type but I made it myself http://rabbitnipples.com/products/c...um=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=403421973 I hang it by the handle with rope from one of our cross beams in the run. I think I used an 11/32 drill bit and just screwed the nipples in.

 

[Twinklin]

Actually no because they are in the shade. I am lucky enough to have people that bring me fresh greens every week so mine get them regularly. Spinach, kale, baby arugula, lettuce, they seem to like it all including most fresh herbs except parsley. The Red Sex Link loves the pans and likes to have one all to herself.

I use a similar metal bowl for feed. I had tried so many different feed containers over the years to keep the mess minimal, from PVC pipe feeders to long troughs, and I went to Walmart and got something very similar from the pet supply section it was labeled for dog food and for some reason they make less mess with this bowl than anything else I've ever tried. I use plastic flower pot saucers, the ones for really big flower pots as my ice water wading bowls in the summer. They love them. Something similar to this

 

[desertrocks]

I myself would prefer the plastic to the metal pans for them even though it's in the shade I do use in the shade Huge flower pot saucers but I think the oil drain pans would be larger that you can put more water in it so it can stay cool for longer under the shade. But this is just an opinion from an ongoing Medical student and Somebody who is very particular about what her chickens get To use!.. The other thing is I'm not sure I would want them to drink from galvanized steel pans. But those are just my thoughts and preferences.

I understand your concern but chickens have been drinking and eating from galvanized containers for a very long time. What would concern me about plastic is the sharp beak edges shaving off the plastic and being ingested. We have really good water pressure and I wash the pans after every use. The water founts I tip multiple times a day to clear and make sure water is clean and I take them out and give them a good hosing every 2-3 days. I know water and cooling are critical when it is 110 degrees so my watering regimen has been built around that.

 

[tschmaltz722]

Hi! I am a new chicken momma to a red, barred rock, Orpington, and americauna. First night was last night. Was told all but the Orpington are a year, and the orp is 8 months. Already got an egg this morning!

Open to any and all tips! We are in Gilbert on a 1/4 acre. Have a 10x5 dog run for our run. No coop, but roosting posts.

What are your secrets to keeping them cool and happy?

 

[desertrocks]

Hi! I am a new chicken momma to a red, barred rock, Orpington, and americauna. First night was last night. Was told all but the Orpington are a year, and the orp is 8 months. Already got an egg this morning!

Open to any and all tips! We are in Gilbert on a 1/4 acre. Have a 10x5 dog run for our run. No coop, but roosting posts.

What are your secrets to keeping them cool and happy?

Greetings and salutations from Wittmann. If you look back thru my posts you will find a variety of methods for keeping them cool. I used nearly every means at my disposal this summer including a misting system. There was a lot of input in the thread with some excellent ideas shared by those who are far more experienced than I. Congrats on the egg. We set up a pen of 12-18 month old birds last weekend and got our first egg on the second morning. We brought together 2 groups of 6 hens with 1 9 month old cockerel and after 1 week we have gotten 18 eggs, all from the first group of 6. The second group is showing signs of settling in finally and I expect to see the first egg from that group today or tomorrow judging from demeanor.
The fun is just beginning, enjoy it. We have actually seen one of our Barred Rocks lay an egg. The first one she layed was right out in the open on a milk crate. Amazing to see something that size seem to slip so effortlessly out of the vent. We sat and watched the tint of the egg change as the bloom dried.

 

[cyborg]

Does anyone here make their own fodder? If so, where do you buy your barley?

Also, what is everyones watering system? I'm just refilling a bowl every day but it gets moldy and I need a new method. 

I buy barley, wheat, and buckwheat on Amazon. If you are a prime member, free shipping, delivered to your door.