Arizona Chickens

[flower]

So, possibly moving to the Mesa area in March....


What are the rules on "house chickens"? The ordnance I read made it sound like they had to be in an outdoor coop....

Also, is there a rule about not being able to dye your chickens? ( Our silkie is currently pink)

Any recommended areas around Mesa to look for housing that is chicken-friendly?

Welcome in advance. Rules rules rules are only as good as the enforcement of them. Az is still the wild west although I can not speak for Mesa. I live semi rural in the north eastern area. If no one reports you here well then just use common sense. Why should anyone care if your Silkie are pink or are in your house ? As far as I know ( I do not know much) using a color on domesticated birds (pets) is not harmful. Like I said, if you do not broadcast to those who might take offense, who would know. AZ is a gun carry state, you might find that the atmosphere is different form Illinois and except for the greater Phoenix and Tucson areas is less densely populated.

But I do hope others weight in on your concerns.

spelling corrected

 

[marlys]

Just getting started in Tucson. Haven't gotten chickens yet, but learning first. Have a pen and getting the coop ready. Are there chickens that are better then others for this area? Or can all with stand our heat in the summer.

 

[deserteggs22]

So it appears there is an abundance of rabid skunks in my area. One even attacked one of my neighbors in the middle of the day. Anyone else having this problem?

What part of AZ are you in? Because there is a huge jump in skunks where I am (Sahuarita (south of Tucson)). I have lost several chickens to them.

 

[DesertChic]

What part of AZ are you in? Because there is a huge jump in skunks where I am (Sahuarita (south of Tucson)). I have lost several chickens to them.

Green Valley, very close to you in Sahuarita. We know a rancher living in Box Canyon and he said the place is nearly overrun with rabid skunks. Needless to say, before I step outside I sniff the air and I'm always armed now...just in case.

 

[DesertChic]

Just getting started in Tucson. Haven't gotten chickens yet, but learning first. Have a pen and getting the coop ready. Are there chickens that are better then others for this area? Or can all with stand our heat in the summer.

WELCOME!

There are most definitely breeds that take the heat better than others. I know we all have our favorites so you'll get plenty of suggestions from different people. My personal favorites for heat tolerance are Naked Neck Turkens, Black Australorps, Barred Rocks and White Rocks. All four of these breeds shrugged off the worst of the summer heat and never even slowed down in their laying.

 

[generaldsherman]

Green Valley, very close to you in Sahuarita. We know a rancher living in Box Canyon and he said the place is nearly overrun with rabid skunks. Needless to say, before I step outside I sniff the air and I'm always armed now...just in case. 

Sis in SW Tucson has same problem. Bro-in-law got one with his pellet gun and they've seen more.

 

[DesertChic]

Sis in SW Tucson has same problem. Bro-in-law got one with his pellet gun and they've seen more.

Both Game & Fish and Animal Control told my neighbor that the situation is exceptionally bad this year. My neighbor is now enduring $5,000 worth of rabies treatments. Be careful, my friends!

 

[Banaynaychicken]

Just getting started in Tucson. Haven't gotten chickens yet, but learning first. Have a pen and getting the coop ready. Are there chickens that are better then others for this area? Or can all with stand our heat in the summer.

I live in vail (right outside of Tucson) and I have barred Rocks, Silkies, and a Gold Laced Wynadotte that I bought at ACE. she was supposed to be a speckled Sussex XD Oh ACE you sillies.

I recommend buying at OK Feed and Supply. They have an abundance of breeds, as well as a prairie fowl breed.

my barred rocks do VERY well in the heat. to help, I freeze fruit cubes and give them to them about once a day when it's hottest outside. NO CITRUS. melons, lettuce, kale, pomegranites, I havn't tries bananas.......

but yeah. as long as they are "tolerant" you can help to keep them cool with frozen fruit and ice in their water.

 

[marlys]

Thanks for your reply. I'm sure they can handle our winters fairly easy. I purchased a large hard wire coop. Pretty open [thinking of winter] Thought I would put up plywood over the sides, but the bottom [hardwire] would be open. The top is covered. Sound ok? I had chickens in northern Minn. [very cold winters] they did ok in their play house coop.

 

[marlys]

Thanks for all the info. I'll check out ok feeds. See what they have. Sounds like chickens are as tough as us