Arizona Chickens

[Coffee N Chickens]

I saw these on the internet after you were talking about fly traps.

 

[Coffee N Chickens]

And here is Mari a few minutes ago, giving me the evil eye lest I try to take her eggs. She's really rocking the broodiness. She'll get some Leghorn eggs to hatch, I'm just not sure when.

And I got the paint for the chicken coop today.

 

[BlueBaby]

And here is Mari a few minutes ago, giving me the evil eye lest I try to take her eggs. She's really rocking the broodiness. She'll get some Leghorn eggs to hatch, I'm just not sure when.

View attachment 2713527

And I got the paint for the chicken coop today.

If you are going to let her hatch some egg's, don't wait too long to do it. 20 day's is a long time to sit, let alone an even longer period of time. Make sure that she continues to get off the nest to eat and drink so that she won't starve herself trying to hatch nothing.

 

[Coffee N Chickens]

You're right. I just added some straw under her, and picked out the nicest, cleanest Leghorn eggs from the past three days. I took out the one she laid today (cracked) and the ceramic ones, so now she's sitting on 7 fertile eggs. Should I add more, or is that enough eggs?

I hope she doesn't starve herself. I have not seen her eat or drink in a week.

 

[BlueBaby]

You're right. I just added some straw under her, and picked out the nicest, cleanest Leghorn eggs from the past three days. I took out the one she laid today (cracked) and the ceramic ones, so now she's sitting on 7 fertile eggs. Should I add more, or is that enough eggs?

I hope she doesn't starve herself. I have not seen her eat or drink in a week.

Since this is her first time to be broody and want to hatch, don't give her any more then that. See how she does with what you just gave her. If you have to, put food and water closer to her.

 

[Coffee N Chickens]

Since this is her first time to be broody and want to hatch, don't give her any more then that. See how she does with what you just gave her. If you have to, put food and water closer to her.

They're less than 2 feet away from the nest, but I can place them closer. Now, countdown to July 1st, and maybe I'll have cute little chicks!!!

 

[cavemanrich]

I hope she doesn't starve herself. I have not seen her eat or drink in a week.

If you have to, put food and water closer to her.

Just what I was going to suggest Place a small bowl of wet mash up by her beak inside nest,,,,,, and see what happens

 

[CaroleW]

OK everybody, here is the famous Chicken Palace. The inside is 5 feet wide by 6 feet long plus the nesting boxes, which would total close to 8 feet in length, and about 9 feet high. Since Leghorns fly more than a lot of breeds, maybe I could do something to make use of that vertical space? What do you think? I'm thinking of adding another roost, since they're angled, and one is about 3 feet long, the other one about 2 1/2 feet long.

He built it with interior and exterior walls, so it's double-walled with air space in between. No insulation, that would really be asking a lot. I don't know if the double walls will help keep them warmer in winter and cooler in summer or not. I took the side pic so you can see the ventilation holes that are on two opposite sides, facing east and west. He was going to use chicken wire to cover the ventilation holes, but I handed him 1/4" hardware cloth to use instead. Once I get the run attached, the door will be open during the day for them to come in and out, and that will add more ventilation.

I need to paint it, since most of the walls are particle board, and rain, blowing sand, and monsoons could damage that. I'm thinking of painting the inside tan. Might as well help hide any possible future stains.

I was up pretty much around the clock last night, so I'll probably not get back to this thread until the morning. Without further ado, The Chicken Palace....
View attachment 2711839View attachment 2711842View attachment 2711852

EDIT--Another idea is to replace the solid door with a metal screen security door on outside (sometimes easy to get on CL pretty cheap or free). You could put the solid door back (on the inside hinges) in winter if it's severe cold/wind.---EDIT END

I can't remember where you are located but I agree with BlueBaby it may need more ventilation especially if it is located in the sun and on the concrete slab which might add more heat in summer than you want.

For ventilation you could punch out a large vent (maybe low on the door to get cool air in low it would rise to the upper vents to flush out hot air). I'd use the metal lathe panel cut to size to cover the vent (it's a heavy duty expanded metal screening that is kind of sharp if a predator would touch it). In winter time I use some plastic to cover portions of vent/windows to keep the windchill off and remove it for summer.

Your chickens will love the new palace! You will find out what modifications you really need to do as you go along.

 

[BlueBaby]

@Geckolady How is Mari doing today? Did you get her to eat and drink?

 

[Coffee N Chickens]

EDIT--Another idea is to replace the solid door with a metal screen security door on outside (sometimes easy to get on CL pretty cheap or free). You could put the solid door back (on the inside hinges) in winter if it's severe cold/wind.---EDIT END

I can't remember where you are located but I agree with BlueBaby it may need more ventilation especially if it is located in the sun and on the concrete slab which might add more heat in summer than you want.

For ventilation you could punch out a large vent (maybe low on the door to get cool air in low it would rise to the upper vents to flush out hot air). I'd use the metal lathe panel cut to size to cover the vent (it's a heavy duty expanded metal screening that is kind of sharp if a predator would touch it). In winter time I use some plastic to cover portions of vent/windows to keep the windchill off and remove it for summer.

Your chickens will love the new palace! You will find out what modifications you really need to do as you go along.

Replacing that door is an excellent idea! Yes! I do have an extra screen door that someone gave me a few weeks ago. They were going to throw it out, and I knew a coop was about to be built, so I took it. Hope it fits, but that is a great idea!