Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

So my little mister has e.coli and a compromised immune system. There are chances he will continue getting ill @BlueBaby I wanted to update you since you know what is going on

Here's a link about that.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...nd Control,-Because of widespread resistance,

 

[NuggetMama]

Here's a link about that.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/colibacillosis/colibacillosis-in-poultry#:~:text=Treatment and Control,-Because of widespread resistance,

They put him on amoxicillin and clavimax but this says it’s not a good idea for him to be on antibiotics

 

[cavemanrich]

I was just looking at shade cloths but the wind is such a bear! I've been considering draping shade cloth over my run and securing it with auger anchors. Has anyone tried that? I def don't want to attach the cloth to my run and have the wind carry away the whole run.

Consider using 9 mil tarps.. They are quite strong, and worth the extra cost over the inexpensive entry level tarps,, 4mil.

I had some shatex brand shade cloth with grommets. I cursed it when it ripped during a wind storm.

I hope Shatex did not hear you ,, or too offence

I'm trying to work up the intestinal fortitude to cut slits in the tarp.

Let me add my opinion here to these postings. I do get pretty strong winds in my area. I have multiple tarps (3) that cover my chicken run area. Run is between house, and fence. About 15 feet wide, by about 70 feet long. Each tarp is attached to the house, or garage structure at one end. Other end is attached to fence line. I have a steel cable that runs stretched the complete length. The tarp is attached to cable with rubber bungee cords. Each grommet gets a rubber cord to attach to cable. When winds are severe, the rubber allows for easy stretching, and grommets, and tarp do not rip.
I can post pictures of my setup , ,(don't have any at moment) but my explanation is simple.

I don't recommend cutting slits into tarp,,, unless there is a sewn in reinforcement at that spot. A slit is just an invitation for it to zipper open more than desired.

Now, to get ground anchors into hard soil. If not able to get the screw type like dog tie-outs, consider rebar lengths pounded into ground at 90 degrees to direction of pull force. If soil is too dense/hard to pound in,,, consider predrilling the ground first. I have a set of these long drills,,, although I do not need them for ground drilling by me. (soft soil)
They will drill in hard earth with no problem. You would need to keep pulling it out as drilling,,,, to remove the earth. Then pound in the rebar lengths.

 

[igorsMistress]

It's going to be hovering around 110F today and the next several days!
Hope everyone is staying cool and able to keep their chickens cool.

Kinda glad I don't have my chickens yet... but it sure puts a kink in my attempts to finish preparations outside.

I agree that working around the heat is your best bet. Very early morning is the coolest time and hydrate well the night before.

I was just looking at shade cloths but the wind is such a bear! I've been considering draping shade cloth over my run and securing it with auger anchors. Has anyone tried that? I def don't want to attach the cloth to my run and have the wind carry away the whole run.

For shade cloth I recommend that you get it with the grommets and tape. You can custom order from various places and in my experience the shade cloth lasts longer than a tarp. It’s also breathable so heat doesn’t get trapped under it in summer. I get mine from Greenhouse Megastore and I have several that have lasted for years. With the tape and grommets it keeps the edges from fraying and gives you anchors to hold the cloth down quite securely. It’s not cheap, but I figure it’s worth the expense as I won’t have to replace it every year which is lots of smaller expenses and more of my time, which adds up. I would also recommend the the blocks to hold down your structure and do that before you put shade on. The cloth will flutter in the wind, but mine has never come loose even in a storm. It lets air and water pass through.

Good luck!

 

[springvalley123]

I bought a very nice tarp at tsc. When we tried to put it up, it nearly lifted me (and my considerable derriere) off the ground. So... The knuckleheads currently have a tree and a couple of lean to pallets for shade. I'm trying to work up the intestinal fortitude to cut slits in the tarp.

I don't know if cutting slits in the tarp might cause it to rip further though. I do know that the shade cloth is made so when I do cut slits, it does not rip. Did you find out about the tarp from TSC, that you can cut slits in it? That'd be great if so.

 

[springvalley123]

For shade cloth I recommend that you get it with the grommets and tape. You can custom order from various places and in my experience the shade cloth lasts longer than a tarp. It’s also breathable so heat doesn’t get trapped under it in summer. I get mine from Greenhouse Megastore and I have several that have lasted for years. With the tape and grommets it keeps the edges from fraying and gives you anchors to hold the cloth down quite securely. It’s not cheap, but I figure it’s worth the expense as I won’t have to replace it every year which is lots of smaller expenses and more of my time, which adds up.

Good luck!

I can attest to shade cloth lasting longer than tarps. I just replaced 2, 10 mil tarps from Home Depot that had been in service since december 2021 (6 months). I use the tarps to keep the rain and wind out (for shelter) and have shade cloths for where I need shade but air circulation. But I get more rain, cold and wind (even snow) than the Valley. I'll have to look at the Greenhouse Megastore if I ever redo my enclosures or get tired of tarps altogether.

 

[springvalley123]

They put him on amoxicillin and clavimax but this says it’s not a good idea for him to be on antibiotics

Yes, the link that bluebaby shared shows us that it's resistant to many antibiotics, if not all of the relevant ones. And the symptoms show a poor quality of life. Being birds, they'll try to cover up that they're not feeling well, just like a pet we take to the vet, suddenly appears much less sick!

 

[BlueBaby]

They put him on amoxicillin and clavimax but this says it’s not a good idea for him to be on antibiotics

That's because they are saying that anti-biotic's have been used so much, that many thing's have become resistant to them. I hope that it help's your boy, but also keep in mind that it could also spread to the rest of them too, as they have been exposed.

 

[igorsMistress]

It’s already gross outside and it’s only 0900. I knew this heat was coming but I am not in the mood for it. How can the days be getting shorter but hotter?

Went to TSC to pick up some pine pellets and straw. They still don’t have the feed I was buying, neither does the feed store. It’s not like I use a specialty feed, so I’m scratching my head. Maybe it’s because I don’t use a layer option, weird.

 

[Stacaroni]

I don't know if cutting slits in the tarp might cause it to rip further though. I do know that the shade cloth is made so when I do cut slits, it does not rip. Did you find out about the tarp from TSC, that you can cut slits in it? That'd be great if so.

The one I bought is very thick and has a rubber-like coating. I'll have to look closer at it to see if it's rip stop but I think it would be OK.