Arizona Chickens

[meetthebubus]

Something cool happened with the ee's tonight...

Remember I said how they roost on the coops roof? I've noticed that at bedtime they jump on me and on the outside perch and when I get up to do last minute chores they start to move to the roof, etc.

So I had a thought, tonight to get them in the coop I went and sat on one of the perches and called to them, half were on the outside perch the other half on the ground looking for their nighttime spot those on the ground came in and jumped on the perches around me and settled down for the night!

I just thought it was awesome that they seem so bonded to me like that the buffs never needed me like that except...

The buffs do need me when they all want to lay at the same time in the same box there's lots of yelling so I go in and hold those waiting, calm them and then place them in a empty box and they usually settle down chickens are awesome!

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, I hope this is allowed on this thread... I am moving and need to down size my flock.. I have 2 black australorps male and female about 20 weeks old I have had since they were babies they are very sweet but I can't have roosters where Im going just hens and these two are very attached. I am hoping to find them a new home soon. I am in the Mesa area but don't mind traveling if necessary!

I hope that you can find them a good home. As I told you in the IM here, Australorp's do not have yellow eyes.

 

[meetthebubus]

How many times do you all go out with your chickens in a day? In the cool I go out about 3 times, in the heat at least usually 5 times

 

[SonoranChick]

How many times do you all go out with your chickens in a day? In the cool I go out about 3 times, in the heat at least usually 5 times

My chicken schedule is about the same as yours. I go out more in the heat to change out ice jugs.
Unless someone has gone broody, then I go out more to check on things. The barnevelder is still broody, despite my efforts to break the behavior. Apparently she's encouraged the BO to also go broody, so now I have TWO broodies I'm sick of chicken jail, it's too hot to keep them caged up and it's clearly not working. I think I am just going to section off a portion of the run so they can be outside, near the rest of the flock, but not have access to the nest boxes. Stubborn little boogers!

 

[nicollee]

Something cool happened with the ee's tonight...

Remember I said how they roost on the coops roof? I've noticed that at bedtime they jump on me and on the outside perch and when I get up to do last minute chores they start to move to the roof, etc.

So I had a thought, tonight to get them in the coop I went and sat on one of the perches and called to them, half were on the outside perch the other half on the ground looking for their nighttime spot those on the ground came in and jumped on the perches around me and settled down for the night!

I just thought it was awesome that they seem so bonded to me like that the buffs never needed me like that except...

The buffs do need me when they all want to lay at the same time in the same box there's lots of yelling so I go in and hold those waiting, calm them and then place them in a empty box and they usually settle down chickens are awesome!

I think that's pretty cool

 

[nicollee]

How many times do you all go out with your chickens in a day? In the cool I go out about 3 times, in the heat at least usually 5 times

Depends who is home... I usually go out at least once in the AM if I'm working early, them my husband goes out to feed, treat, and play with them multiple times a day. If I'm home, I'm always going through the fridge to give me an excuse to take something out. Then of course we always go out a few times in the late afternoon, to evening to try to get them into the coop. I really need to rebuild it, so it's more attractive to them to sleep in.

 

[meetthebubus]

My chicken schedule is about the same as yours. I go out more in the heat to change out ice jugs.
Unless someone has gone broody, then I go out more to check on things. The barnevelder is still broody, despite my efforts to break the behavior. Apparently she's encouraged the BO to also go broody, so now I have TWO broodies I'm sick of chicken jail, it's too hot to keep them caged up and it's clearly not working. I think I am just going to section off a portion of the run so they can be outside, near the rest of the flock, but not have access to the nest boxes. Stubborn little boogers!

*

Thats what I did with punky section off a portion it had a box with food and water so she ate more and she felt safe took awhile though but it was easier looks like she's semi broody now its when she spends most of the day in the box but isn't on eggs and leaves it before bed to eat and roost with everyone

 

[meetthebubus]

I think that's pretty cool

Thanks! It was kind of awesome to think that they consider me their leader and need me like that lol

The buffs never did Roo did that job for me, marshmellow is lost I guess lol

 

[SonoranChick]

*

Thats what I did with punky section off a portion it had a box with food and water so she ate more and she felt safe took awhile though but it was easier looks like she's semi broody now its when she spends most of the day in the box but isn't on eggs and leaves it before bed to eat and roost with everyone

I've got an extra water thing and feeder, and we have some extra fencing. I'm bummed that it's come to this but their instincts to go broody are so strong, it seems to be my only option. Right now I am either locking them up in the dog crate, or blocking off the nest box (which is not fair to the rest of them)...I guess they will just have to live separately for the time being.

 

[meetthebubus]

@SonoranChick as long as they can see each other they should be fine I was bummed last year too but it worked out in the end and punky rejoined everyone also make sure her food is close so she doesn't lose too much weight punky lost weight back then

Speaking of which punky gave a double yolker yesterday since she's semi broody her laying is off