Arizona Chickens

[CaroleW]

Different hatcheries have different minimum order amounts. Hoover's is 10, I believe. I would most like to be able to go in on an order with other BYCers, that way there would be less risk of having too many chickens! HA!

I think Murray McMurray has a 6 chick min order (after April 1) but charges a small order fee. So I agree --better to combine an order with a neighbor. It's also kind of hot to be shipping chicks so even better to find a local BYC member who is hatching/breeding - less stress on chicks.

 

[CaroleW]

The minimum order from Moyer's is 20. https://www.moyerschicks.com/catalo...imperial-broiler-day-old-chicks-straight-run/
I am full up with chicks until Spring so I am just dreaming right now, you are welcome to split an order of St run = 26.10 for 10, and you could pick out the best for your breeders and eat the rest in fine meat bird tradition. I was figuring on 10 meat birds and then 10 ISA Brown layers that they sell to fill up the box, every one seems to like them as layers and I would have had to sell them on craig's list. Kind of a pain to do that but It works. It would be so much easier to know before I got them where they are going. I just do not have the freezer space for 20! Maybe if @springvalley123 wanted some it would be just the right number for all of us. Then we could have a get-together ~8 or 9 weeks later for "processing" day? I used to have a Mexican neighbor when I had chickens in California, and he would come over and help out with the plucking. I did 4 geese, lots of plucking, he got one for his efforts, all were happy. Geese are to die for as Christmas dinner in my German descended family.

I'd like to help at a processing day. I've never done it before so studying as many videos on it as I can before the need arises.

 

[AngBantamLuv]

So i discovered from comments on another chicken post, that my Bella is actually a blue silkie. I thought she was blue when i got her, but i thought her new feathers being darker meant she was actuslly black.. but a side by side of black and blue cleared that up. I Dont currently have breeding plans, but still excited about how pretty all the chicks have turned out. Such nice bantam bin surprises!

 

[cavemanrich]

I would love to see your method for making the fly traps.

It would be interesting to see your homemade method, though.

I dug up some old pix on my computer files. I posted them to a thread a few years ago.
These one way traps for top of bottle. Left one is from a set I purchased that included the bait concoction. It slips on perfectly, The one on right is one I saved from one of those Disposable traps. I would save them when I disposed of the dead flies in the throwaway bags. Have quite a few of them on hand.

Bottle with first one installed.

Bottle with second one installed. NOTE; I did have to enlarge the neck opening slightly. Used a hair dryer on high, and when plastic got soft, I slid neck over a funnel to enlarge. I think I could have used the plastic yellow top to do the enlarging also

Clear plastic works best, because the buzzing flies inside are easily seen by the ones flying around outside, and attract them in.

 

[igorsMistress]

I dug up some old pix on my computer files. I posted them to a thread a few years ago.
These one way traps for top of bottle. Left one is from a set I purchased that included the bait concoction. It slips on perfectly, The one on right is one I saved from one of those Disposable traps. I would save them when I disposed of the dead flies in the throwaway bags. Have quite a few of them on hand.
View attachment 2256448
Bottle with first one installed.
View attachment 2256450
Bottle with second one installed. NOTE; I did have to enlarge the neck opening slightly. Used a hair dryer on high, and when plastic got soft, I slid neck over a funnel to enlarge. I think I could have used the plastic yellow top to do the enlarging also
View attachment 2256449
Clear plastic works best, because the buzzing flies inside are easily seen by the ones flying around outside, and attract them in.

That's awesome!! Thanks so much I'm going to bookmark and keep it handy because when the monsoons come the flies will too.

 

[City farm]

When you have leftover kitchen scraps, (plant based) chop finely and offer on a dish as a treat. Don't offer uncooked potatoes BTW. Cooked potatoes are just fine. Also no uncooked rice, and uncooked kidney beans. If you feel really good, and happy, cook up an envelope of ramen noodles without the seasoning packet. I would do it on occasion and chickens luvd it. I would crush the noodles prior to cooking when they were dry. The resulting pieces were small, instead of 24 inch long noodles.

Adding to the “NO” list is avocado & like @cavemanrich said cooked, not raw potatoes. Along with no tomatoes leaves. I think there is a link on here with the DO NOT FEED list.

 

[City farm]

Long story short, maybe!! I spent 3 months or so with anemia and running down the bleed. It was cancer in my colon. I have since had a very ugly colon cancer surgery, have railroad tracks all up and down my abdomen stem to stern and a new colostomy. OMG it hurt like hell. I mean really hurt. 4 pints of blood later and a week in the hospital I am now home and working hard to recover while trying to finish up the last of my house sale. My oldest daughter is a saint. She has been here, fed me, cleaned up after me and put stuff away in my new apartment all while battling the heat - she is from WA. Yes I still hurt, no I don't know what is next, chemo, etc and maybe I'll even make the closing date for the house. I did lose one girl to the heat. Its hard when you aren't there and you can't baby them along as you usually would. My helpers are good tho, they ice them, ice bottle them and get them from one day to the next. I keep up with you all and your crazy hatching and the 50 drops of rain where you HOPE against hope it'll turn into at least a 10 minute downpour. All of you stay well and be cool. ........... mary

Awe, dear wow. Girl hang in there , get better & keep us posted. Hugs

 

[City farm]

I'd like to help at a processing day. I've never done it before so studying as many videos on it as I can before the need arises.

I am in Mesa, not sure it will work with my schedule but I might be able to help, no promises. If I can’t I can ask a few other friends & maybe make it into a “class” for a few others?

 

[Parront]

I'd like to help at a processing day. I've never done it before so studying as many videos on it as I can before the need arises.

If you hatch, you have to plan to either process some roosters, or give them away free on Craig's List. Even rare Barred Holland roosters are not a saleable item, as far as I can tell. I have seen some breeders of Crested Cream Legbars who sell hens with a free rooster. I will probably do that, IF I have enough hens. I will be processing in mid-September for the Barred Hollands.

 

[Parront]

I am in Mesa, not sure it will work with my schedule but I might be able to help, no promises. If I can’t I can ask a few other friends & maybe make it into a “class” for a few others?

I have a good place to do processing. A guest house with a nice kitchen. Room for 2-3 people to stay over-night, nice & cool in Prescott. I would be fine with making a class out of it, if anyone wants to come up here.