Arizona Chickens

[cavemanrich]

Need some advice here. Next step for the bunker is fencing. I had planned on using some welded wire mesh. Similar to the attached photo.

Welded wire mesh will work . You may consider securing bottom 12" with a Hardware cloth overlay. It would prevent raccoons, (if you have in your area.) from reaching in and grabbing your chickens sleeping against fence at night.

 

[Bobby Basham]

(Continued) But I had also been wondering about hardware cloth. I’m sure that the wire mesh will keep the coyotes out. Question is, do I need hardware cloth sized stuff? I’m sure that the rats and snakes will find a way in anyhow and I’m not sure if the added expense will be worth it.

I’m working on ridding the area of rats and vermin through traps and poisons.

Salty Skroob, where are you located? You just don't know what predators will pop out of the woodwork when word gets around that there's a new "chicken buffet" in town. For now, I'm going with quarter-inch hardware cloth over the entire top, down the sides and extending at least 24 inches outward. The outward sections will be covered with 12" high planter boxes. That should be enough to deter a digging critter. Only my chicken TV/observation deck with bench will be exposed--BB

 

[Diannastarr]

Yes, it's about that time of year, and if anyone want's to use this as a Christmas greeting to email to someone or whatever, you can. I sometimes make thing's in my PaintShop pro. Click to enlarge.

View attachment 1204388

AWWWW that is so cute ,really love it thanks ...!!!

 

[BlueBaby]

Your Welcome!

 

[igorsMistress]

I've been trying with potting soil and sand mix, but I probably need to get a peat mix instead. Thing is this valley is mainly cotton, and they've been using salt to dessicate the crops for decades, so the water here is very salty. And I totally know what you mean about the soil being so alkaline. I've poured vinegar on my soil before just to watch it foam up..

I've read that if you put a layer of gypsum on the soil surface it can help filter out the salt in our water here. I imagine you'd have to scrape it off and throw it away though. I haven't tried it but am thinking about it for my beds this year to see if it helps.

 

[SonoranChick]

Need some advice here. Next step for the bunker is fencing. I had planned on using some welded wire mesh. Similar to the attached photo.

Good choice! This is what we have along the perimeter of the run. Can't remember if it's 16 or 14 gauge, but yes, the mice and snakes will find a way in either way. We have a kit fox who visits and bites through the irrigation hoses but the fence is secure. Be sure to dig it under and create an apron like some others have suggested, because the hungriest predators will dig. As far as the pesky mice, I put all food sources up off the ground at night and just try to make sure there is nothing that will attract them. Typically the snakes follow the mice, so if you can combat the mice, you can usually get rid of the snakes too.

 

[Salty Skroob]

Thanks guys. Forgot to mention that I’m planning on running some extra wire around the outside like an apron and covering that with some large rip rap. I have an abundance of that.

I’m on the flanks of south mountain in phoenix so there’s tons of coyotes, javelina, dove quail etc. I’m sure there’s foxes (just haven’t seen them yet) and I did see a skunk taking a nap by the side of the road a few weeks ago. I’m positive there are mountain lions and bobcats in south mountain as well.

 

[cactusrota]

As far as the pesky mice, I put all food sources up off the ground at night and just try to make sure there is nothing that will attract them. Typically the snakes follow the mice, so if you can combat the mice, you can usually get rid of the snakes too.

And do be careful about using poisons! The package says it only takes one bite, but most people don't see the fine print that the one bite can take up to 5 days to kill. Which means you have sick mice that look like easy pickins stumbling around causing secondary poisoning of anything that will eat them including cats, dogs, owls, chickens, etc....

 

[Bobby Basham]

I use a wood stove for most of my heat. I would love to go off grid like you are . My mother has solar panels $30,000 in California. I would never be able to afford that. Stay warm in fort Thomas

I see some of my neighbors are going the solar route, but the two neighbors across the street told me that one company (Solar City) now has a leasing program with no-cost installation or up front cost. The number of panels varies according to your needs and that's how you are charged each month. You can get a 20-year lease and they pay for all the repairs and/or malfunctions. They both agree that it is worth it and I may look into that. I shouldn't need as many panels as they have since I live alone. They have at least 5 occupants in their respective homes.

 

[Bobby Basham]

OH, WOW! Now THAT'S scary!

@Sill is spot on about using coconut coir (my personal favorite) and peat moss for starting seeds and cuttings. It works great!

This is the first year I'm using the water from my aquaponics on my seed starts and it seems to making a significant difference. The water is still more alkaline than I'd like, but it's super nutrient-rich thanks to the fish poop and the worm castings. I've even begun using it to water all of my potted plants and they LOVE it.

I spent today cleaning up the majority of my garden, which has now died thanks to two nights of freezing temperatures. The chickens have been enjoying the amateur squash and cherry tomatoes, and the rest will just be green manure for my winter crops. I started seedlings of Russian Red Kale, Dinosaur Kale, broccoli and cauliflower down in my aquaponics room, so now I just need to prep the raised beds for transplants as they mature. I know the kale will LOVE the cooler temps, but I'll be waiting a bit longer to transplant the others.

Are veggies more hardy and tolerate our soil better than trees/saplings etc? What soil/ingredients are you using in your raised beds?