Arizona Chickens

[DesertChic]

When did every one move their chick's out of the brooder?

For me that depends upon the time of year and the size of the hatch. My brooder is in my office and I'm always looking for signs that it's time to move the babies out to the coop. Typically they'll stay in the house brooder for roughly 3 weeks, by which time they're always anxious to test their wings and start roosting. I like giving them the room to do that, which is easier to do if they're out in the coop. If it's really cold outside, I may let them live in the brooder longer. If it's summertime I often move them out to the coop when they're just a week old. If it's a large hatch, I move them out sooner rather than later, whereas a small hatch is easier to manage in the house longer if needs be.

I used to move them out when they started roosting on the side of the brooder, but in this last hatch I have a pullet that started roosting before she was even a week old. She's a tenacious little thing, but totally sweet and affectionate, so I forgive her.

 

[BlueBaby]

Well, it look's like I have another little Blue pure Australorp baby hatching out today. Got to love that chicken math, huh?

 

[cactusrota]

Make sure you keep a spare tarp around. Monsoon winds can wreak havoc with them. I have to replace the tarp on two of my coops every few months. If the sun doesn't rot them, the wind eventually pulls the grommets out and shreds them. I haven't found a tarp - heavy duty, sun resistant, or not - that holds up for long here. You may have better luck.

Also... when the tarp does shred make sure the chickens can't get to it. Those stringy shreds can get wrapped around toes and cut off circulation. They're just as bad as the strings off feed bags.

 

[BlueBaby]

Also... when the tarp does shred make sure the chickens can't get to it. Those stringy shreds can get wrapped around toes and cut off circulation. They're just as bad as the strings off feed bags.

They will also try to eat those strings and that could mess up their crops big time!

 

[Bobby Basham]

They will also try to eat those strings and that could mess up their crops big time!

I'll keep an eye on things once it's put up, but the only strings they'll have around here are some string beans. They really like those on occasion and take off running with the rest in hot pursuit.

 

[BlueBaby]

I'll keep an eye on things once it's put up, but the only strings they'll have around here are some string beans. They really like those on occasion and take off running with the rest in hot pursuit.

They will do the same thing with pieces of bread or cooked spaghetti noodles too! What a show that is to watch!

 

[Bobby Basham]

They will do the same thing with pieces of bread or cooked spaghetti noodles too! What a show that is to watch!

THEY LOVE PASTA! I break the spaghetti in half and add some veggies in the mix. It's gone in about 10 minutes. They're not crazy about cooked carrots or broccoli.

They only get this on occasion when they finish their half-gallon feed container first, which lasts for about two days. They get excited and make a ruckus jumping up and down when I go out there late to check on them.

A few days ago I spent more at the grocery store for them than myself. Not just spaghetti and different types of mini pastas, but lots of different veggies to see what they like. They went crazy over some chopped SPAM mixed into some rice.

 

[BlueBaby]

THEY LOVE PASTA! I break the spaghetti in half and add some veggies in the mix. It's gone in about 10 minutes. They're not crazy about cooked carrots or broccoli.

They only get this on occasion when they finish their half-gallon feed container first, which lasts for about two days. They get excited and make a ruckus jumping up and down when I go out there late to check on them.

A few days ago I spent more at the grocery store for them than myself. Not just spaghetti and different types of mini pastas, but lots of different veggies to see what they like. They went crazy over some chopped SPAM mixed into some rice.

Every once in a white I give mine some cooked rice too, but I mix it up with some wet feed with a bit of apple cider mixed in. I don't want them eating up all the rice and not eating the feed, so it work's out good this way. I don't special cook the spaghetti noodles for them. They just get whatever is left over after hubby and I, and the dog get our share.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Every once in a white I give mine some cooked rice too, but I mix it up with some wet feed with a bit of apple cider mixed in. I don't want them eating up all the rice and not eating the feed, so it work's out good this way. I don't special cook the spaghetti noodles for them. They just get whatever is left over after hubby and I, and the dog get our share.

I haven't cooked for myself in over four months. I survive on TV dinners, subs and an occasional 8-piece fried chicken from the grocery stores. I do cook a late night snack for them on occasion and always have a mix of pasta, veggies, wet feed...always some type of combo, and sprinkle a little grit on top as garnish. Let them go to bed with a full crop. It's gotta be boring pecking at some brown feed throughout the day. They must do a lot of scratching 'cause I can't find their overnight poop.

My garage is very dark, but I have an old lamp with a dark shade and 15-watt bulb about 8 feet away and half of their brooder is covered with a big curtain. Peeking out there at 2:00am, they're standing around quietly conversing about who knows what.

 

[MagicChicken]

It's hatching day. One chick is almost unzipped. No one else has even pipped, which is weird because usually my hatches run early. Had humidity issues with the incubator this time. Fingers crossed.