Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

I'm thinking I will get pullets for the roosters if we know what breed they are so hubby can hatch out breed chicks. At least they would have a purpose. I am not a fan of people who dump animals, I don't care what they are. I've rescued too many horses that were dumped during hard times. I will never understand how people can dump any animal. But that is not a rant I want to get into right now lol

I know what you mean. Out here sometime's people dump unwanted cat's or kitten's out in the desert area's to become coyote food, if they even live that long with no water or food.

 

[Legacy Farms]

I know what you mean. Out here sometime's people dump unwanted cat's or kitten's out in the desert area's to become coyote food, if they even live that long with no water or food.

There were a number of horses dumped in the desert and up here in the forest land when the economy tanked in 2008. Domestic horses are much like any other domestic animal. They don't know how to seek out water or food. There are still people who dump their dogs in the forestland here. People make me sick. If you can't take care of an animal that you took on for the entirety of it's life then don't take on the animal. If situations change find a responsible person who will. It is pretty cut and dry in my eyes.

 

[Raymond Dean White]

I also live in Mesa! I have raised healthy, happy chickens without ever having even THOUGHT about misting them or supplying ice.
I do live in central Mesa with mature trees and grass in the backyard, but I know my friend in AJ raised happy chickens and he just made sure they had water.
Right now I have 3 6 week old chicks, this is the first time I have raised chicks w/out a dog and I am worried about the neighborhhod semi-feral cat!

You should get another dog to keep the cats away. In my location I don't have to worry too much about cats, just hawks, owls, foxes and coyotes. I don't worry about any neighbor dogs as our acreage is fenced. And our dog never bothered our birds.

 

[Raymond Dean White]

I live in Mesa and want to keep my chicks enclosed in a side yard. If there's not much breeze there, would it be better to move their pen? And as for their coop, it doesn't have windows. Should I cut out two?
Thanks for the tips so far.

Your coop absolutely does need ventilation so cut in a couple of window and screen them with 1/2" or 1/4" hardware cloth. Regarding your side yard run you could always hook up a fan. Shade and water are just as important.

 

[Raymond Dean White]

Hi Everyone-

I am in Tucson. We just became chicken owners in November for my son's 4-H project. So, we haven't had to deal with summer yet, but I worry about how the heat will affect them.

I've heard a lot of people put frozen water bottles out so the chickens can lay against them when they get hot. So, I am planning on giving that a try, as well as, lots of water.

I've also heard that a lot of people put a box fan in the coop to get some air moving. I like the water sprinkler idea, I will have to consider that.

If you come up with any other ideas that work, be sure to let everyone in Arizona know. I've kinda grown fond of these little feathered friends of ours, and would hate to lose any of them.

I like the ice bottle idea. My wife and I used them as water bottles for ourselves, drinking as they melt. Last year, during the worst of the heat, I put some crushed ice in their water bowl but this year I've switched to horizontal water cups. Maybe I'll still use the bowl as well.

 

[igorsMistress]

I also live in Mesa! I have raised healthy, happy chickens without ever having even THOUGHT about misting them or supplying ice.
I do live in central Mesa with mature trees and grass in the backyard, but I know my friend in AJ raised happy chickens and he just made sure they had water.
Right now I have 3 6 week old chicks, this is the first time I have raised chicks w/out a dog and I am worried about the neighborhhod semi-feral cat!

Once your chicks are chickens the cat would have a hard time.

 

[starri33]

How long do you wait till you assist? I've had one "hatching" since 7 this morning, he's still alive, but the membrane looks dried out.

 

[BlueBaby]

How long do you wait till you assist? I've had one "hatching" since 7 this morning, he's still alive, but the membrane looks dried out.

Wet your finger with some warm water and put it on the dried part. Make sure that it's not too much water because you don't want to drown the chick.

 

[BlueBaby]

@Raymond Dean White Nice to see you here in this thread chatting with us. What breed of chicken's do you have?

 

[starri33]

Wet your finger with some warm water and put it on the dried part. Make sure that it's not too much water because you don't want to drown the chick.

I've gone ahead and taken him out of the shell, he was wrapped, membrane had pulled away from the shell and was wrapped around him, him and another that was started this AM got dried out, the first hatch is hanging out with the other 9 in the tote, not a whole lot of difference in the sizes. So I've gotten both out of their shells, they are back in the incubator drying out, I'm not sure that I am a fan of this kinda incubator, it's one of those no name chinese things, it might work ok I guess as something to get them to hatch, but I've got to figure out something better for lock down.