Arizona Chickens

[Junochick]

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.

I don't think a 20 year lease would work for me, I also live alone but I am 54 disabled and not sure I will be staying in my home that long. I have learned how to get my bills to a manageable minimum. The wood stove for heat,collect rain and gray water for my garden, grow my fruit and veggies. With the mini ductless split system I can heat or cool rooms in use. I hang clothes to dry them, I cook and freeze several meals. It is amazing how much unnecessary items people purchase. I haven't had a home phone or cable tv for 13yrs and don't miss them. I also drive a 20 year old truck that gets good fuel economy.

 

[Bobby Basham]

I don't think a 20 year lease would work for me, I also live alone but I am 54 disabled and not sure I will be staying in my home that long. I have learned how to get my bills to a manageable minimum. The wood stove for heat,collect rain and gray water for my garden, grow my fruit and veggies. With the mini ductless split system I can heat or cool rooms in use. I hang clothes to dry them, I cook and freeze several meals. It is amazing how much unnecessary items people purchase. I haven't had a home phone or cable tv for 13yrs and don't miss them. I also drive a 20 year old truck that gets good fuel economy.

I'm sure there were many options other than the 20-year thing, that's what one neighbor signed up for.

I'm trying to keep my bills to a minimum, too, no credit card debt, but last year I had to spend about $7,000 for repairs on my 22-year old truck. I paid that off in about four months. Now I got to shell out about $300/month for health insurance since I'm retired now, since the insurance for retired state employees is too expensive.

 

[Junochick]

I have been debt free for over 2 years, boy does it feel good! I do charge things but I pay my bill in full, then get points for free gift cards. I really enjoy growing my own garden and my chickens are wonderful to have. When I moved here I was talking about getting chickens. Then one day I woke up to a leghorn in my yard and that started my adventure. No one claimed a missing chicken on are local Facebook site. So I had to get her friends to hang out with.

 

[Bobby Basham]

I have been debt free for over 2 years, boy does it feel good! I do charge things but I pay my bill in full, then get points for free gift cards. I really enjoy growing my own garden and my chickens are wonderful to have. When I moved here I was talking about getting chickens. Then one day I woke up to a leghorn in my yard and that started my adventure. No one claimed a missing chicken on are local Facebook site. So I had to get her friends to hang out with.

I don't know where the rest of my reply went.

Anyhoo, I've been debt free for several years. Anything charged is paid off quickly using a previous zero statement before the new statement comes out which will still show zero balance.

I'm glad you adopted that Leghorn. Was it pretty tame that you could catch it?

 

[Junochick]

I don't know where the rest of my reply went.

Anyhoo, I've been debt free for several years. Anything charged is paid off quickly using a previous zero statement before the new statement comes out which will still show zero balance.

I'm glad you adopted that Leghorn. Was it pretty tame that you could catch it?

No she was wild and afraid of humans! Now she eats out of my hand.

 

[DesertBird]

Hello, does anyone know the location of a good vet close to Chandler that deals with ducks?

 

[Bobby Basham]

No she was wild and afraid of humans! Now she eats out of my hand.

What kind of friends did you get her? Mine will eat out of my hand, but don't take kindly to being petted or held. I manage to get in a few chest rubs with my finger tips while they're eating until they feel violated (LOL) and then run off.

 

[BlueBaby]

Bobby, that can change in a couple more months or so. Yesterday I was going out there to the coop with a bowl that had some rice, and left over chilli with no beans that I had mixed together as a treat for them. One of the 3 month old Blue Australorp's had to fly up on my arm to have a look at what was in it.

 

[Junochick]

What kind of friends did you get her? Mine will eat out of my hand, but don't take kindly to being petted or held. I manage to get in a few chest rubs with my finger tips while they're eating until they feel violated (LOL) and then run off.

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• Junochick
• Nov 16, 2017

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• Junochick
• Nov 16, 2017

chicky is the leghorn and her friends

 

[DesertChic]

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

I've only found a few veggies that tolerate our soil so far. Buckwheat, alfalfa, and cowpeas. Everything else I grow in compost courtesy of my chickens. I use pine bedding in all of the housing, and compost the bedding + chicken manure for at least 6-8 weeks before using in the growing beds. I also grow earthworms and have added them to my grow beds. They LOVE the compost and have multiplied exponentially in response. This year I'm also utilizing cover crops to create "green manure".

When we plant trees, we dig down at least 3 feet and dig outward at least 4 feet. Then I backfill with a combination of cow manure and compost. Once the tree is established I add new compost two to three times per year. The only problem I'm having right now is that we planted trees in the chicken yard, and every time I add compost the chickens scratch it all up and pick through it.