Arizona Chickens

[Coffee N Chickens]

Maybe cookies? I might buy some pre-made cookie dough and try it out, just to satisfy my curiosity LOL.

We need to hear how this goes if you decide to try it.

 

[BlueBaby]

You could prep a meatloaf, wrap it in foil and put it on the dash while you were at work. There was a news feature on it decades ago.

It's too hot out there for a meatloaf. Maybe a cold leftover meatloaf sandwich would be ok, though.

 

[canne50]

Any AZ chicken people out there? I am looking for some advice on raising chicks in the desert. I'm in Mesa. Does it get too hot out here? I have four 20 day old chicks, 3 Buff Orps and 1 leghorn. Do we need to do anything special here

Hi Paynemom!
We’re in high desert sw NM. All the rain starts 30 miles east of here! Very hot today 103 yesterday and 106 in a couple of days.
I use hoops with shade cloth in the summer, they get no cold weather (corn) scratch, treats are usually mealworms or any safe veggie or melon that’s cold. I keep a 24” feed pan with a couple of bricks or concrete in water. They usually don’t t care to get wet, but will stand on the porous surface which wicks up the cool from the water. If they look heat distressed, in an emergency, I will shower them gently in a confined space so they do not run around and get hotter.
I hope my experiences can help you.
Regards…

poops! Almost forgot…last summer my girls loved cold watermelon or cantaloupe halved. When they eat out the heart, I fill it with cold water and a frozen water bottle.
I had b.o. in northren Maine, temps before wind chill-20 & lower and never needed heat. They are heavily feathered and a heavy breed you will have to really watch out for them or any dark plumed hen.

 

[BlueBaby]

Hi Paynemom!
We’re in high desert sw NM. All the rain starts 30 miles east of here! Very hot today 103 yesterday and 106 in a couple of days.
I use hoops with shade cloth in the summer, they get no cold weather (corn) scratch, treats are usually mealworms or any safe veggie or melon that’s cold. I keep a 24” feed pan with a couple of bricks or concrete in water. They usually don’t t care to get wet, but will stand on the porous surface which wicks up the cool from the water. If they look heat distressed, in an emergency, I will shower them gently in a confined space so they do not run around and get hotter.
I hope my experiences can help you.
Regards…

poops! Almost forgot…last summer my girls loved cold watermelon or cantaloupe halved. When they eat out the heart, I fill it with cold water and a frozen water bottle.
I had b.o. in northren Maine, temps before wind chill-20 & lower and never needed heat. They are heavily feathered and a heavy breed you will have to really watch out for them or any dark plumed hen.

Hello, it's nice to meet you. This is an older thread, but it is still active. Paynemom no longer lives here is AZ., and now lives over in Texas.

 

[Coffee N Chickens]

Both yesterday and the day before, I noticed an egg on the ground that was broken and eaten. I thought that Dora was laying them. Nope. Mari is down to 5 eggs from 7.

 

[BlueBaby]

Both yesterday and the day before, I noticed an egg on the ground that was broken and eaten. I thought that Dora was laying them. Nope. Mari is down to 5 eggs from 7.

Maybe they were bad one's?

I think I might have to help 416BigBore. He's in lock-down on a hatch and has 3 pips.

 

[Coffee N Chickens]

Maybe they were bad one's?

I think I might have to help 416BigBore. He's in lock-down on a hatch and has 3 pips.

Yay! Hope his chicks do well.

 

[BlueBaby]

Yay! Hope his chicks do well.

Me too, he has a 4th one pipping now.

 

[springvalley123]

Hi Paynemom!
We’re in high desert sw NM. All the rain starts 30 miles east of here! Very hot today 103 yesterday and 106 in a couple of days.
I use hoops with shade cloth in the summer, they get no cold weather (corn) scratch, treats are usually mealworms or any safe veggie or melon that’s cold. I keep a 24” feed pan with a couple of bricks or concrete in water. They usually don’t t care to get wet, but will stand on the porous surface which wicks up the cool from the water. If they look heat distressed, in an emergency, I will shower them gently in a confined space so they do not run around and get hotter.
I hope my experiences can help you.
Regards…

poops! Almost forgot…last summer my girls loved cold watermelon or cantaloupe halved. When they eat out the heart, I fill it with cold water and a frozen water bottle.
I had b.o. in northren Maine, temps before wind chill-20 & lower and never needed heat. They are heavily feathered and a heavy breed you will have to really watch out for them or any dark plumed hen.

hi @canne50 ! I also use the bricks and tiles in trays of water. I almost always see someone standing on the bricks. And misters since we're getting such unusual temps for our area. Hoping the heat breaks soon, it's taking decent amounts of straw and bestcob bedding to dry out the run each morning and evening.
Funny about the trays of bricks/pavers, I had gotten the idea from a video done by someone in the Phx area and there was a buff orpington in his video. I've never had orpingtons but can't imagine such a breed in this climate much less phoenix!

 

[cavemanrich]

Solar cookers are something much in use. Arizona has ideal conditions for one to work since not very cloudy most days.