Arizona Chickens

[marlys]

Wow, makes me feel much better. I was thinking to put plywood up to close it in for the winter. I will probably put some up, and make it so it is open for the hotter weather. But your's are doing so well with a lot of open walls. Mine sound work well too. Excited to getter' going Thanks.

 

[Sill]

New peeps!

It's raining and the ducks are out in the dark run tonight enjoying it. Funny how they and the quail are active at night when the chickens are not. I'm dreading next week when our temps will be colder. I have too many baby tropical trees to cover and lots of seedling plants that are tender. The portable plants will get to spend the nights inside. The birds will tough it out in their enclosures.

So is it good to give the chickens scratch feed in winter to help them face the cold?

 

[FeatherPugs]

New peeps!

It's raining and the ducks are out in the dark run tonight enjoying it. Funny how they and the quail are active at night when the chickens are not. I'm dreading next week when our temps will be colder. I have too many baby tropical trees to cover and lots of seedling plants that are tender. The portable plants will get to spend the nights inside. The birds will tough it out in their enclosures.

So is it good to give the chickens scratch feed in winter to help them face the cold?

Yep I'm a bet heavy handed with the scratch feed in winter months. I too do not look forward to colder temps but heck we'll get 100+ temps soon enough!

 

[MagicChicken]

I have three 7 week old chicks that were raised by a broody hen. Last night was the first night she left them alone. They are fully feathered and should be able to handle the cold that's coming just fine, but I'm going to be monitoring closely. I may have to put some heat out there for a few days. On the other hand, every time I've run a heat source out to chicks that age they've avoided it. So maybe I'll just give them several inches of fresh bedding to hunker down in and call it good. Or try putting them up on the roost with the big birds after they've all tucked in for the night. We shall see.

 

[City farm]

[COLOR=333333]So, possibly moving to the Mesa area in March....[/COLOR]


[COLOR=333333]What are the rules on "house chickens"? The ordnance I read made it sound like they had to be in an outdoor coop....[/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]Also, is there a rule about not being able to dye your chickens? ( Our silkie is currently pink)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]Any recommended areas around Mesa to look for housing that is chicken-friendly?[/COLOR]

Mesa is vast... & with that said, no HOA.. You should be fine.. If I were to buy another home, I would go to the garage sales and talk to those neighbors before my purchase ..
Once you are here pop on over for a cup of tea in the garden..

 

[City farm]

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. 

Tucson is so awesome... You have lot's of chicken folk there.. Some people have their chicken's that seem to do better, but ours are spoiled they do fine with a fan, frozen treats, mister, wet ground and tons of shade..

 

[City farm]

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. 

Can you post photo's?

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

Chicken's are not as hardy as duck's.. Love, love, love our duck's.. Plus the water we re-use for our garden beds...
Rick & Lauren sharing a salad

Yup, they sure are!they go CRAZY for the frozen fruit, though Pomegranites and Cantelope kind of stain their feathers for a bit if they get too deep into the fruit XD  they love it though!

We have a neighbor that has a pomegranate, gona have to ask him for some durring harvest season..

We gave my hens a pomegranate and there were several with pink feathers.

that's one way of adding some color to your flock..

Anyone entering the safford poultry show in Jan?

Sounds fun..

 

[FeatherPugs]

Baby its cold outside!! The feather kids are loving it tho!! And today broke a pipe to the chicken yard - yard was crazy wet - discovered it early so the sun has worked a bit of magic BUT its gotta be fixed!! I'm sitting better and prefer standing these days. Its okay to feed the chickens as long as I don't lift anything heavier than the egg bucket - which is pretty light these days. My older chickens plus 3 or 4 still molting are taking a toll on the egg count. I only have 6 that are this year's layers - everyone else is 2 and up. Last month I got a green egg from my olive egger - she's 5 - I wonder if I'll get one this month!! Stay safe out there dear friends.

 

[Tina88]

I'm putting this to use tonight. I hope it keeps the water from freezing.

 

[flower]

Goodness everyone is so busy with holiday stuff ! FeatherPugs you are an inspiration to me because you are so brave. Sounds as if you are feeling better.

I like the idea of that heater, so easy to make and I have the pieces to make one. Have repaired lamps in the past. But I am in the habit of boiling water in the kettle to bring out for the flock. Got three eggs yesterday from fourteen hens some of which are still molting.

happy holidays to everyone