Arizona Chickens

[nicollee]

My Valentine's Day hatch officially ended at 4:32 this morning when I discovered that the NN in the last (7th) egg died after unzipping halfway.
That left me with three beautiful little NNs and three beautiful little Silver Grey Dorking pullets.

I love baby chicks... congrats on the hatch...

What do you use in your nest boxes? At least my nest box stays dry. Right now I have cow hay and alfalfa in there, but I could do wood chips. They would love that, I am just imagining them partying and throwing wood chips like confetti

My hens seem to like the hay, they squoosh it into a nest shape.
I've used wood shavings, and "I" like them because they are soft,
but it has to be replaced often since it gets pushed around out of the nest,
(it does not link together like the hay)
I'm trying to figure out how you use carpet?
how do you make it a nest shape??? All I see in my head is a flat space _______________________

 

[SonoranChick]

Mine like to shape the alfalfa into little nests too, and for whatever reason, one nest is the favored over the others. I removed all of the wet alfalfa this morning from the run..it was gross and a lot of work, but I'm glad I did it. It was really deep and soaked through, so I don't see how the underside would have ever dried. Now it's just bare ground, and I'm letting the sun hit that all day. Then I will add sand tomorrow (I'm getting a great workout with the wheelbarrow, rake and shovel this week lol)...I've decided to keep the alfalfa in the nest box. They love it and it's dry in there, so no problem. I might add alfalfa to the coop floor next winter, for warmth on their toes. As I think @BlueBaby mentioned, monsoon season is coming and I really don't want hay/alfalfa/anything that could mold in the run. It was fun while it lasted!

 

[MagicChicken]

I have too many roosters and I've been hesitant to cull them because I'm waiting to see how some of the younger ones grow out. Most of the roosters are in their own pens with their own hens. But one - a broody raised cockerel about 6 months old - is still living with his parents and the other hens. His dad is my oldest rooster, and one of my favorites, but he's not as spry as he used to be. He chases the cockerel off of his hens, but the last few days the cockerel has started chasing the old rooster off a couple of the girls. The power structure is changing. Makes me sad to think it's time to cull the old guy, but the power shift is making that decision easier. Interesting dynamics.

 

[Michelle Guynn]

HI everybody. I'm in Glendale just down from the Mother Ship. I got my chicks in Aug. I have a tractor kind of thing and they free range in the yard. If I put a misting system in there will it mold the straw? Should I worry about it? I do have a waterer that I fill but I also have a hose that leaks that they like drinking from. My girls like digging holes in the yard to roll in also. Keep up on the tips.

I’m in Glendale too. Are you allowed chickens? I have 3 chickens I keep in the house.

 

[Michelle Guynn]

Been awhile. I have since got my first egg from Emma and put it in my incubator and it’s developing. I have 3 more waiting to be out in. I still keep my silkies in the house. We hope to move to a more chicken friendly community soon.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Mine like to shape the alfalfa into little nests too, and for whatever reason, one nest is the favored over the others. I removed all of the wet alfalfa this morning from the run..it was gross and a lot of work, but I'm glad I did it. It was really deep and soaked through, so I don't see how the underside would have ever dried. Now it's just bare ground, and I'm letting the sun hit that all day. Then I will add sand tomorrow (I'm getting a great workout with the wheelbarrow, rake and shovel this week lol)...I've decided to keep the alfalfa in the nest box. They love it and it's dry in there, so no problem. I might add alfalfa to the coop floor next winter, for warmth on their toes. As I think @BlueBaby mentioned, monsoon season is coming and I really don't want hay/alfalfa/anything that could mold in the run. It was fun while it lasted!

Ya know, time flies so quickly that I forget we have wet springs...is that correct? Right now my neglected run is sand overrun with tall weeds at the moment. I'd hate to put a bunch of alfalfa out and create a mold issue during the monsoons.

I'm gonna use my portable rototiller and turn everything under (it only digs 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide) and try to build a variety of materials.

My brats will be in for a shock when they leave the garage.

 

[cavemanrich]

I use alfalfa hay in my coop, nest boxes, and then I push out into run. It cost only about $4 more than straw per bale in my area. $10 vs $6 I get it at $4 per bale from a farmer directly if I'm at his farm. Replenish with fresh and clean on a as needed basis. I get more rain than my AZ friends put together. Never had a mold concern. I'm sure there is some that forms . Not all mold is dangerous. Mold is everywhere and unstoppable. If you have known allergies to mold like the kind that occurs in hay, grass, compost piles, then need to avoid for sure.
BTW talking about alfalfa for chickens to eat. I buy alfalfa pellets intended for rabbits and offer free choice to my girls. I do this during winter when nothing is growing in my lawn. It does not get consumed as compared to other treats, but does go down.

 

[Bobby Basham]

I use alfalfa hay in my coop, nest boxes, and then I push out into run. It cost only about $4 more than straw per bale in my area. $10 vs $6 I get it at $4 per bale from a farmer directly if I'm at his farm. Replenish with fresh and clean on a as needed basis. I get more rain than my AZ friends put together. Never had a mold concern. I'm sure there is some that forms . Not all mold is dangerous. Mold is everywhere and unstoppable. If you have known allergies to mold like the kind that occurs in hay, grass, compost piles, then need to avoid for sure.
BTW talking about alfalfa for chickens to eat. I buy alfalfa pellets intended for rabbits and offer free choice to my girls. I do this during winter when nothing is growing in my lawn. It does not get consumed as compared to other treats, but does go down.

Can you put those alfalfa pellets into a food processor and pulse them a bit and mix with something else? Just a thought.

 

[igorsMistress]

Can you put those alfalfa pellets into a food processor and pulse them a bit and mix with something else? Just a thought.

Yes, or soak in water too.

 

[SonoranChick]

I'm glad to hear that alfalfa sounds like it's all around good for the coop- it's ok if they eat it, it doesn't mold as quickly, and is reasonably priced for what you're getting (My bale lasted 5 months!). I am glad I pulled mine out, just because it was wet and really had no way to fully dry. Mold or no mold, it was gross I know we have more rain coming in the next seasons...so I may slope the run like @BlueBaby suggested but until then, sand and dirt is what we're workin with! I love the pellet idea.