Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

DesertChic...know what you mean. My Dad's chickens have never really laid in their box. He's missed a new spot for several days before then finds several dozen. In the past my Dane would go out to their yard & go on an egg hunt, turning to us then pointing out where they are until we gathered them.

The heat is definitely playing games...I got some eggs from my Dad a week or so ago & couple were already soft-boiled. I don't know if they were laid during a high heat/full sun or if he failed to get them for a bit too long. Weird thing is I float tested & they were fine....which I know isn't 100%, but I figure better than nothing.

I have 2 nesting boxes in my one coop, and that batch of 5 hens never did lay eggs in them. They had a certain corner on the ground where they were laying instead. I finally took an old refrigerator drawer and put a nesting pad inside of it, and stuck in in the corner where they have been laying their eggs at. It worked! No more eggs in a whole scratched in the dirt.

 

[bunsnpupsnchick]

I have 2 nesting boxes in my one coop, and that batch of 5 hens never did lay eggs in them. They had a certain corner on the ground where they were laying instead. I finally took an old refrigerator drawer and put a nesting pad inside of it, and stuck in in the corner where they have been laying their eggs at. It worked! No more eggs in a whole scratched in the dirt.

Awesome! Looks like I'll be doing similar today. Glad to know it worked. I was thinking it might be similar to box training rabbits...they choose the spot & that's where the box goes. Now, watch...I'll give her a comfy box behind her pile & she'll decide to go somewhere else. Or knowing my luck, completely under a branch pile!

Hope your chicks are doing well in today's heat. I had the mister on by 10am...temp here said already a 100 by then. Like to turn it on then to help cool before it really climbs. Frozen 2 liters are out too. Getting ready to toss some frozen peas out.

Any unusual or really good tricks anyone could/would share for dealing with the summer temps? I'm wondering about a mister fan.

 

[bunsnpupsnchick]

Does anyone use an autowater system? I'm wanting to set one up with the nipples, but out of pvc pipe that's tapped into the line that feeds my sprinkler. Separate from the actual sprinkler, just using the same feeder pipe. I'm wondering if there's a problem with any algae/gunky/yunky buildup? Should I give a port to be able to add liquid into it if needed? Any suggestions from what you've done/would do? Does direct sun pose an issue?

Also, best location? Right now food & water are on my patio as it's constantly in shade & cooler than the coop. So, I was thinking of setting up stations there plus maybe set up for other by the coop & in the yard. Maybe not right now, but down the road. I don't think I'm up for major digging so this would be above ground primarily....I'll try to go below where I can, but my dirt is hard as all get out & it takes me forever to dig into it.

Similar questions for an autofeeder that's made out of the pvc piping. I'm thinking of building a box that's elevated to store 50+ pounds of feed (larger than the bag so enough to add before I run out) with pvc running out & down. I'm looking for less mess. I know the treadle feeders do pretty good & can presumably be adjusted for the bantams. That design I'm still mulling over for the greater storage issue. Though I'm also trying to figure out if the part that they open could be adapted to the pvc. From what I've seen the pvc angle is pretty good for less waste from them eating, but the treadle keeps the wild birds out more.

Thanks again for all your help & insights. Much appreciated.

 

[desertmarcy]

Does anyone use an autowater system? I'm wanting to set one up with the nipples, but out of pvc pipe that's tapped into the line that feeds my sprinkler. Separate from the actual sprinkler, just using the same feeder pipe. I'm wondering if there's a problem with any algae/gunky/yunky buildup? Should I give a port to be able to add liquid into it if needed? Any suggestions from what you've done/would do? Does direct sun pose an issue?

Also, best location? Right now food & water are on my patio as it's constantly in shade & cooler than the coop. So, I was thinking of setting up stations there plus maybe set up for other by the coop & in the yard. Maybe not right now, but down the road. I don't think I'm up for major digging so this would be above ground primarily....I'll try to go below where I can, but my dirt is hard as all get out & it takes me forever to dig into it.

Similar questions for an autofeeder that's made out of the pvc piping. I'm thinking of building a box that's elevated to store 50+ pounds of feed (larger than the bag so enough to add before I run out) with pvc running out & down. I'm looking for less mess. I know the treadle feeders do pretty good & can presumably be adjusted for the bantams. That design I'm still mulling over for the greater storage issue. Though I'm also trying to figure out if the part that they open could be adapted to the pvc. From what I've seen the pvc angle is pretty good for less waste from them eating, but the treadle keeps the wild birds out more.

Thanks again for all your help & insights. Much appreciated.

The nipples operate on low pressure, so you don't want them in a pressurized line. Run your PVC line into a storage tank with a float and run the PVC for the nipples out from that. Or put a pressure regulator on the line. Keep out of direct sun, it will deteriorate the PVC and the water will be too hot for the birds to drink in the summer. Digging to put it underground is a PITA but once done, you won't be tripping over it, it will be protected from the sun and cooler. You don't have to have it super far underground, 4 - 6" will be enough. Nipples work best when they are located high up so the birds head is tilted up to drink. The water should be running into their mouth. Most people locate them too low.

 

[bunsnpupsnchick]

The nipples operate on low pressure, so you don't want them in a pressurized line. Run your PVC line into a storage tank with a float and run the PVC for the nipples out from that. Or put a pressure regulator on the line. Keep out of direct sun, it will deteriorate the PVC and the water will be too hot for the birds to drink in the summer. Digging to put it underground is a PITA but once done, you won't be tripping over it, it will be protected from the sun and cooler. You don't have to have it super far underground, 4 - 6" will be enough. Nipples work best when they are located high up so the birds head is tilted up to drink. The water should be running into their mouth. Most people locate them too low.

Thanks. Couple questions or so if you don't mind. I'm plumbing clueless & figuring out things as I go. (Rebuilding my sprinkler setup right now...had leak to repair & couldn't do it easily cause the selenoids wouldn't unscrew they were too close together.)

Is it pressurized if the line comes off from the water feeder line to the house as well as a hose faucet? My sprinkler taps into that feed pipe from the street (also has a hose faucet on it) and I was thinking of tapping into the line before it hits the control box. Makes me wonder if I can use that for the mister too or if that would need a reducer.

Does the hose faucet handle control pressure? I notice with the stand mister a difference in how much mist comes out with how much I turn it on....if that's the case then I could maybe set up something like that handle & have it work....hmmmm.....I think I see myself chatting with the home depot guys.

I'm looking for a long term solution, with at least 2 weeks of water storage, but prefer 5 weeks if I have to do the store & fill routine...especially for the few times I go out of town. Ideally a solution I can manage doing alone as it's just me & as easy as possible given I've a permanent neck injury that limits what I can do. Thankfully my yard is primarily shaded, but I do have those spots that get a fair amount of sun. I don't think I can rent one of those trenchers unless it fits into a RAV4's backend to make digging easy. Unfortunately, I trained the dogs not to dig. Should've trained a dig command...hindsight. lol Thus far, the chicks haven't loosened dirt that far down.

I was thinking I'd make water trees...picture pipe sticking straight up with arms off of that caped with an elbow that would then be capped with a nipple in it Picture a group of 4 7s where the nipple is on the tip of the number. Hopefully I'm making sense/giving a good picture of it. I could make them at alternating heights for the various chicken breeds I have by extending pipe from the elbow before the cap with the nipple. Including younger, growing ones. Figure I'd do 4 arms per tree & each tree would set with 2 different heights so there'd be 4 nipples per tree.

 

[BlueBaby]

Does anyone use an autowater system? I'm wanting to set one up with the nipples, but out of pvc pipe that's tapped into the line that feeds my sprinkler. Separate from the actual sprinkler, just using the same feeder pipe. I'm wondering if there's a problem with any algae/gunky/yunky buildup? Should I give a port to be able to add liquid into it if needed? Any suggestions from what you've done/would do? Does direct sun pose an issue?

Also, best location? Right now food & water are on my patio as it's constantly in shade & cooler than the coop. So, I was thinking of setting up stations there plus maybe set up for other by the coop & in the yard. Maybe not right now, but down the road. I don't think I'm up for major digging so this would be above ground primarily....I'll try to go below where I can, but my dirt is hard as all get out & it takes me forever to dig into it.

Similar questions for an autofeeder that's made out of the pvc piping. I'm thinking of building a box that's elevated to store 50+ pounds of feed (larger than the bag so enough to add before I run out) with pvc running out & down. I'm looking for less mess. I know the treadle feeders do pretty good & can presumably be adjusted for the bantams. That design I'm still mulling over for the greater storage issue. Though I'm also trying to figure out if the part that they open could be adapted to the pvc. From what I've seen the pvc angle is pretty good for less waste from them eating, but the treadle keeps the wild birds out more.

Thanks again for all your help & insights. Much appreciated.

DesertMarcy is right about digging a pvc pipe line in the ground. That is what we did to put in or misting system. We used a trench digger for it. At the end of that line, we put in one of those double facets. Then we put the mister on one side of it, and a short hose connected to the other side. The pressurizer is on the mister side. The short hose is turned off when not in use.

 

[bunsnpupsnchick]

DesertMarcy is right about digging a pvc pipe line in the ground. That is what we did to put in or misting system. We used a trench digger for it. At the end of that line, we put in one of those double facets. Then we put the mister on one side of it, and a short hose connected to the other side. The pressurizer is on the mister side. The short hose is turned off when not in use.

I have a small kid pool under my stand mister as it cracked & I haven't gotten out to replace it so that I could collect & use the water on my fruit trees. I have noticed despite a 50' house trailing from the east side of the house thru the yard & not under the patio (I originally wanted it by my tree, but I ended up with a big mud puddle--yuck) that the water was actually cold the past few nights when emptying. So, I'm not too sure how much hotter it would get given my shade, but I can plan to expand/bury as I go along.

I think I figured out how to do it for a start...my valve box is about a foot or so away from the front southeast corner of my patio.I think for the mister I could just add a valve to my sprinkler system for another zone. Since it's already apart it would be just a little more work to revamp for another one. Then the sprinkler timer could control the mister as if it were just another irrigation zone. I checked what I have & they're pressure reducing valves. But I'll need to be sure of the pressure for a mister system & see if I can find one to do that if the style I have wouldn't. Most mister systems run straight from the hose so I don't think it's an issue....not much different than tapping into the faucet, just at a different location.


I don't want the autowaterer tied to the sprinkler timer in case of timer failure. To at least start with a patio setup I could with the right reducer or bucket/float setup still tap into the line at the box & run it to the patio. Building in the stub-outs to run lines to other areas. Just tap in before the shut off handle I put in for the sprinkler system at the valve box. Put a 2nd shut off handle in for the autowaterer then go to a reducer/bucket float then out to the nipple trees. Just need to figure out about flushing/cleaning the line. Or potentially adding in any liquids that might be needed.

Thanks so much for the thoughts, if anyone has more thoughts/suggestions please let me know. As you can tell, I'm muddling my way thru this a small chuck at a time. You all have been a great help!!!!!

 

[Sill]

You and me both. I brought in her friend yesterday to see her, and her mood really improved. she would just sit and pout all day, mosly sleepign and not making any noise, and then I showed her to Winnie (her pal) and she seemed much happier and more active. She even woke me up with chirping this morning .

It will be easier to re-introduce her to the flock if they are used to seeing her as she recovers, as well as making her happier!

 

[Sill]

I have two hens that started sneezing/coughing a few days ago. So far they have nothing swollen and no discharges, just the dry sneezing/cough thing they are doing. I started the adults on Duramycin in their water and it's day four but I don't see an improvement.

I'm headed to the feed store for more meds as I ran out, but I'm hoping they can recommend something that might work better. Weird that they would get respiratory issues when it's this hot!

 

[DesertChic]

I have two hens that started sneezing/coughing a few days ago. So far they have nothing swollen and no discharges, just the dry sneezing/cough thing they are doing. I started the adults on Duramycin in their water and it's day four but I don't see an improvement.

I'm headed to the feed store for more meds as I ran out, but I'm hoping they can recommend something that might work better. Weird that they would get respiratory issues when it's this hot!

Hmm....All of my birds that had started sneezing recovered on their own with only the addition of vitamins and electrolytes to their water. I'm going to count myself lucky!