Arizona Chickens

[starri33]

I won't ever get burro, no room at the inn and I don't live where I can have one. I have considered a tortoise but I'm downsizing right now and probably won't do that either. My daughter is moving across the valley and we aren't going to be tied down with grandkids now.

I get what you mean though. It is irritating.

I have the space, we sit on 2.35 acres in the middle of no where basically..lol, 5 families on our road in a agriculture area, but I just don't have the health and stamina to take proper care of it. My chickens are enough for me, there are days that I've had to have the hubby go open up the coop for me, feed and water if needed, Thank You Lord for hanging feeders and auto waterer's. The girls and guy have figured out where the coop is now and will go in at bed time without having to have help. This morning, I went and opened the coop door, they can get in and out by the doggie/chicken door, but I keep the big door open during the day just to air it out. Opened the nest boxes, this morning at least I didn't get cussed out by a hen or had them pacing in front of the boxes, I did have one peeking in through the doggie door to see if they were open yet.. lol, I took the boards down, told her there you go and she promptly hopped up to chose her box. I'd decided after building them their new coop, that I'd take the other and change it into a storage building for extra feed, hay and other things that are chicken related. But I've got Sir Poops-a-lot that is getting most of his feathers back now and I tried letting him out with everyone else yesterday, his reception tells me that at least part of that coop is going to have to remain a coop, use it for a grow out.

 

[igorsMistress]

I have the space, we sit on 2.35 acres in the middle of no where basically..lol, 5 families on our road in a agriculture area, but I just don't have the health and stamina to take proper care of it. My chickens are enough for me, there are days that I've had to have the hubby go open up the coop for me, feed and water if needed, Thank You Lord for hanging feeders and auto waterer's. The girls and guy have figured out where the coop is now and will go in at bed time without having to have help. This morning, I went and opened the coop door, they can get in and out by the doggie/chicken door, but I keep the big door open during the day just to air it out. Opened the nest boxes, this morning at least I didn't get cussed out by a hen or had them pacing in front of the boxes, I did have one peeking in through the doggie door to see if they were open yet.. lol, I took the boards down, told her there you go and she promptly hopped up to chose her box. I'd decided after building them their new coop, that I'd take the other and change it into a storage building for extra feed, hay and other things that are chicken related. But I've got Sir Poops-a-lot that is getting most of his feathers back now and I tried letting him out with everyone else yesterday, his reception tells me that at least part of that coop is going to have to remain a coop, use it for a grow out.

I honestly don't have the time or the energy so if I had the land, well it wouldn't matter. My dogs and chickens are enough for me

We just built a mini coop for grow outs and I have a shed that would be great for chicken and garden storage. My husband needs to get all of his junk out of it though. I was thinking that might be a good after work project later in the week after 90s come and go sometimes he needs a kick in the pants

 

[starri33]

I honestly don't have the time or the energy so if I had the land, well it wouldn't matter. My dogs and chickens are enough for me

We just built a mini coop for grow outs and I have a shed that would be great for chicken and garden storage. My husband needs to get all of his junk out of it though. I was thinking that might be a good after work project later in the week after 90s come and go sometimes he needs a kick in the pants

I can so understand the not having the energy.. it's great that you have that mini-coop for grow out.. I'm hoping that by the end of the month, Sir Poops-a-lot will be big enough to be added to the flock at night and then they'll get along.. I need to get the introduction done soon. I've got my new chick's that are going to have to have a grow out coop, so this will work out. As for my hubby needing a kick in the pants? lol, I've given that one up, but if I say I am going to call someone else in to doing it, amazingly he does..

 

[igorsMistress]

I can so understand the not having the energy.. it's great that you have that mini-coop for grow out.. I'm hoping that by the end of the month, Sir Poops-a-lot will be big enough to be added to the flock at night and then they'll get along.. I need to get the introduction done soon. I've got my new chick's that are going to have to have a grow out coop, so this will work out. As for my hubby needing a kick in the pants? lol, I've given that one up, but if I say I am going to call someone else in to doing it, amazingly he does..

yup, that works! Sometimes if a project is too big for me alone I'll mention that I'm going to ask my son to help me the next time he's over...that will often get things accomplished too

Good luck with Sir Poops a lot! I hope his transition goes smoothly.

 

[starri33]

yup, that works! Sometimes if a project is too big for me alone I'll mention that I'm going to ask my son to help me the next time he's over...that will often get things accomplished too

Good luck with Sir Poops a lot! I hope his transition goes smoothly.

lol, I dislike having to do it, but there are times that it's the only way to get it done. Majority of the time, there is no rush on getting things done, if 20 minutes at a time is all that can be managed, so be it. But it shouldn't take two years to build something..lol. I'm hoping to let Sir Poops-a-lot out soon, tried yesterday, 85% of the flock went after him. He's still not got all of his feathers back and is much smaller than everyone else. I was out stringing line across the top of the run to try and convince hawks that they do not want to go trying to get a chicken dinner and the poor baby was running up and down the TSC coop, pecking at the wire, he wanted out so bad. So next thing on my agenda is to start getting the old run sealed back off so that it can be used as part of the grow out coop. I've got 7 new hens and a roo to put out there. The babies are all to small to go out right now.

 

[MissLavender]

I am sure (or at least I hope) that you're all aware of the outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Coconino County, AZ. I don't know about you all, but that's a little too close to home for my liking! For those of you who don't yet know what VND is or how to prevent its spread, here is a link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/2019/sa-04/vnd-arizona

 

[BlueBaby]

I am sure (or at least I hope) that you're all aware of the outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Coconino County, AZ. I don't know about you all, but that's a little too close to home for my liking! For those of you who don't yet know what VND is or how to prevent its spread, here is a link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/2019/sa-04/vnd-arizona

Yes, we are aware of it. We were just discussing it yesterday here in the thread.

 

[igorsMistress]

lol, I dislike having to do it, but there are times that it's the only way to get it done. Majority of the time, there is no rush on getting things done, if 20 minutes at a time is all that can be managed, so be it. But it shouldn't take two years to build something..lol. I'm hoping to let Sir Poops-a-lot out soon, tried yesterday, 85% of the flock went after him. He's still not got all of his feathers back and is much smaller than everyone else. I was out stringing line across the top of the run to try and convince hawks that they do not want to go trying to get a chicken dinner and the poor baby was running up and down the TSC coop, pecking at the wire, he wanted out so bad. So next thing on my agenda is to start getting the old run sealed back off so that it can be used as part of the grow out coop. I've got 7 new hens and a roo to put out there. The babies are all to small to go out right now.

I have eggs in the incubator right now and I'm working on the brooder. There's always something it seems!

 

[Michelle Guynn]

Cleaned the chicken room out and some of the pens. Inspected the 2 week olds to see if I want to keep any. Looks like just one so I have 2paint and a black available if anyone is interested or know someone. They are 10 dollars each. I’m going to dna test the one I am keeping and the one I hatched from BlueBaby eggs. Because of this Newcastle outbreak I’m not sure I’m going to enter any in shows this yr. we are going to the Maricopa fair next Saturday and walk around. Going to put a pan of Clorox water on the front porch to dip our shoes in when we get home. Also change my clothes before touching any of my birds. Hopefully people near that area will keep their birds home.

 

[cactusrota]

This is by a racing pigeon keeper in the quarantine area in California. He's encouraging people to copy and share, and I got it from a falconry facebook group, and falconers are very touchy about unwarranted search and seizure as G&F has a habit of it for them in some states. I don't know if the 10 bird limit is a Cali thing or a Federal thing, maybe someone else knows? I've been searching the APHIS website and haven't found anything that supports it. If it's federal than it applies to us in AZ, too.

***
Protecting your birds.

It has come to my attention that Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles are Mandatory Kill Zones for Commercial Chickens farms. Ten Chickens or more is considered a commercial farm. The Chickens in your area have a big impact on all of the other birds in that area. So the reason for this message is to educate everyone on how we can have an impact on trying to protect our birds and all of the other neighborhood birds in our area.
From what I'm reading clorox/bleach is NOT strong enough to kill this virus.

1) Go to the Magnolia Bird Farm and see how Frank has set up his biosecurity system. He is in the Quarantine area and still selling birds. They are closed Sunday and Monday but will be open tomorrow.
2) Go to the Dollar Store and buy a Cat Litter Box. Also purchase a 12"x12" piece of fake grass.
3) Go online to Amazon and purchase Virkom S. It's the product recommended by the State to be strong enough to kill the virus.
4) You take the cat litter box, and place the fake grass in it. You mix up some Virkom S solution and put it in the cat litter box. You have just made a Foot bath. You keep it by the entrance to your back yard. You also keep a beach towel out there. You can buy the beach towels from the Salvation Army at twenty-five cents each.
5) Every time anyone enters you back yard they have to wash their shoes and dry them. After using the towel, you throw it away. Do not try to wash it.
6) You also purchase a sprayer. You put the Virkom S solution in it. You keep it by the foot bath.
7) No one enters your property without using your biosecurity system-The Foot Bath going in and out.
8) No one is allowed in your cages or aviaries. They can look through the wire. No one handles your birds.
9) If you have chickens, you cut their numbers down to nine or less. At least that way you don't loss them all. After the quarantine is lifted then you can raise more.
10) Worst case scenario they show up at your door and want to euthanize all of your birds. They come with a warrant. Every warrant in small print on the bottom says that you have the right to appeal. You do not sign anything giving them the right to euthanize your birds. Don't sign your rights away.
11) Next you tell them that you'll let them on your property under theses conditions.
They can test one bird. It will be killed and they will open it up and look at it's liver. You have to watch. If the liver has grey spots, then it is positive for the New Castle Disease and they will euthanize all of your birds. If the liver is clean and normal, it is negative for the disease. Then tell them to leave and never come back. Those are your rules. Those are your rights.
12) When they leave you take your sprayer and spray all of their tires on their vehicle's tires. They also have to use the foot bath again. You insist and can't leave until they have done this and you sprayed their tires..
13) The reason this so important, is that your efforts at biosecurity and mine help protect all of the birds in our neighborhoods. I'm so sorry that I didn't post this earlier. But I just learned this information myself, yesterday.
14) Use this Biosecurity system as long as the quarantine is in force. And it always a good thing to do at all times.
15) Keep your cages ,Aviaries, and lofts clean. They're looking for green droppings, Twisted heads, Eye sores, and birds spinning in circles. Eliminate anything that is questionable.
16) Important point, Anyone who calls in with a report of sick birds will be giving a death sentence to all of the birds in that area. Sick Or Not. Work with me and lets help clean up a bad virus. But also help me protect all of the birds that are not sick and do not deserve to be killed.