Arizona Chickens

[CaroleW]

Interesting, I remember the hanta virus, scary stuff! I didn’t even think about that and I’ve never heard of the skin disease. I’m just familiar with the current disease because it’s a hemorrhagic type and I have bunnies.

I've thought seriously about raising rabbits but when I see how many wild rabbits there are here in my open field hunted by owls/hawks/coyote/etc. I hear my mom words of warning in my head and also think of the danger if those wild rabbits have disease or parasites how would I ever keep the domestic rabbits clean of disease. So I stick to chickens so far. I might get pigs next but need to really work on hardening old pig enclosure to coyote (and javelina, I guess- research required- I don't think they are really pigs but don't know if disease can jump from javelina to pig).

 

[BlueBaby]

I was up a little bit later than normal last night. My DH wanted me to design a gift certificate that he could give to his friend's for a Christmas gift using my Paint Shop Pro. He doesn't know how to work the program. I got it done, so that all he has to do now is to fill in the blank's in the center in it and print it out.

 

[Coffee N Chickens]

I've thought seriously about raising rabbits but when I see how many wild rabbits there are here in my open field hunted by owls/hawks/coyote/etc. I hear my mom words of warning in my head and also think of the danger if those wild rabbits have disease or parasites how would I ever keep the domestic rabbits clean of disease. So I stick to chickens so far. I might get pigs next but need to really work on hardening old pig enclosure to coyote (and javelina, I guess- research required- I don't think they are really pigs but don't know if disease can jump from javelina to pig).

Maybe in a few years when this disease dies down or they find a vaccine for it?

I've been thinking of getting another type of livestock to raise, too. Maybe a few cattle or pigs to raise and sell? Milk goats that grow hair that could be spun into yarn is another possibility. I agree, this is probably not a good time to get into rabbits.

 

[Coffee N Chickens]

These Dorking pullet's were pretty active and happy today. A few of those honey bee's flew into the chicken run and they became the Dorking's dinner. They must taste good to those girl's.

Maybe they taste like honey? Hope they don't get stung!

 

[BlueBaby]

Maybe they taste like honey? Hope they don't get stung!

I don't know. Only the Dorking's want to go after and eat the bee's. None of my other breed's here do.

 

[CaroleW]

I don't know. Only the Dorking's want to go after and eat the bee's. None of my other breed's here do.

It's very fascinating how breeds behave so differently (or even individuals sometimes) toward a living food source. They should all go crazy for a flying thing but no...

All my Lakenvelders and a Brown Leghorn want to stay out hunting moths or flying bugs and the rest of the flock including a White Leghorn are almost all roosting by that time. I have to lure the moth hunters in with mealworms or something really good so I can go have dinner.

 

[BlueBaby]

It's very fascinating how breeds behave so differently (or even individuals sometimes) toward a living food source. They should all go crazy for a flying thing but no...

All my Lakenvelders and a Brown Leghorn want to stay out hunting moths or flying bugs and the rest of the flock including a White Leghorn are almost all roosting by that time. I have to lure the moth hunters in with mealworms or something really good so I can go have dinner.

These Dorking's even eat those black ant's that stray into the pen. They will go after anything small that moves. They are surprisingly quick too. They beat the bigger flockmates to any treat's that I toss out there for them.

 

[City farm]

Maybe they taste like honey? Hope they don't get stung!

I see them in the run, but hope they don’t eat them. That stinger could take a chicken down.

 

[BlueBaby]

I see them in the run, but hope they don’t eat them. That stinger could take a chicken down.

They all looked to be doing fine a while ago when I went out there to do my morning check on them.

 

[City farm]

I felt like I was messing with the girls when I had to move one of their nesting containers (a old chicken hospital cage) I had to move a umbrella from those strong winds.

They all love going in that thing so I secured the door to stay open. These girl’s are interested in what’s happening.