Arizona Chickens

[cavemanrich]

What would've happened if I had chickens there? Would they have been miserable? Worse?

I see that you have plenty of interesting items inside.. Those are spots that chickens would just hop onto. You seen yourself that in just short time,, the great flood diminished,,,,, to just a mini one.
It may be a good idea to place a tarp portion over a section of hoop that is waterproof. The shade-cloth does minimize the rain effect, but a small tarp in adjacent spot would make that area rain-free. Chicken will seek out spot where it is not raining on them.

Earlier post ,you had a concern;; "what to do if chickens are fighting"
You got good advice already, As long as there is no serious injury,,,,,, that is how chickens live. and sort things out.
I just wanted to add this little trick that does teach chickens some behavior adjustments,,, without hurting them.
If you have a water hose handy, or even better,,, a Squirt gun. Yes,, the kind for children playing. If you see aggressive behavior you want to stop in its tracks,,, just give the chickens a squirt. The chickens have no idea what is happening,, since you are a distance away. They do not comprehend that the invisible stream came from you. It is invisible after you of course stop the spray. The aggressor may associate that discomfort with something that the victim chicken is able to do.
Worth a try. I have used the squirt gun method on my flock,, when I want them to get out of a certain area of my garden,, or such.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Dig a Lazy River thru it or around it and use rocks/logs to give them a bridge or island (you can move them around sometimes and give them bugs from under rocks. I'm constantly correcting grading and drainage here whenever I can dig - and I pile it where it will either contain the water or channel it away from structure. Then I plant a Lazy Garden around a dug out basin at the overflow.

What a neat idea! I just came back inside after creating a barricade (a section of raised dirt) for that section. If we get hit with more heavy rain, I'll be able to test it. If it fails, that's an interesting idea to create a channel through the run to keep the water to just there.

I see that you have plenty of interesting items inside.. Those are spots that chickens would just hop onto. You seen yourself that in just short time,, the great flood diminished,,,,, to just a mini one.
It may be a good idea to place a tarp portion over a section of hoop that is waterproof. The shade-cloth does minimize the rain effect, but a small tarp in adjacent spot would make that area rain-free. Chicken will seek out spot where it is not raining on them.

Earlier post ,you had a concern;; "what to do if chickens are fighting"
You got good advice already, As long as there is no serious injury,,,,,, that is how chickens live. and sort things out.
I just wanted to add this little trick that does teach chickens some behavior adjustments,,, without hurting them.
If you have a water hose handy, or even better,,, a Squirt gun. Yes,, the kind for children playing. If you see aggressive behavior you want to stop in its tracks,,, just give the chickens a squirt. The chickens have no idea what is happening,, since you are a distance away. They do not comprehend that the invisible stream came from you. It is invisible after you of course stop the spray. The aggressor may associate that discomfort with something that the victim chicken is able to do.
Worth a try. I have used the squirt gun method on my flock,, when I want them to get out of a certain area of my garden,, or such.

I've been hesitant to put a solid tarp over because of the winds we get, but I can now see the added advantage of it when it comes to rain. I like the idea of putting it over the section on the right (the back) because it would also shade the nestboxes. (The pallet structure does have a solid roof on it.) I could do the same thing I did with the shade cloth where I have it held down with independent stakes so that it can't take my run away with it if it blows away. Thanks for the suggestion!!

Now to see if we have any squirt guns left around... or I could check at the dollar tree. Great idea for misbehaving chickens!

 

[igorsMistress]

We had a nice steady rain from before sunrise until almost 1100. Got at little over half an inch, plus we got 2 inches the other day.

 

[WallyG74]

@azurbanclucker

 

[CaroleW]

What a neat idea! I just came back inside after creating a barricade (a section of raised dirt) for that section. If we get hit with more heavy rain, I'll be able to test it. If it fails, that's an interesting idea to create a channel through the run to keep the water to just there.

I've been hesitant to put a solid tarp over because of the winds we get, but I can now see the added advantage of it when it comes to rain. I like the idea of putting it over the section on the right (the back) because it would also shade the nestboxes. (The pallet structure does have a solid roof on it.) I could do the same thing I did with the shade cloth where I have it held down with independent stakes so that it can't take my run away with it if it blows away. Thanks for the suggestion!!

Now to see if we have any squirt guns left around... or I could check at the dollar tree. Great idea for misbehaving chickens!

I get alot of ideas from the permaculture/homestead people (some YT channels- EdibleAcres, Justin Rhodes, Sow the Land, Roots n Refuge, and Kirsten Dirksen features different interesting projects). EdibleAcres guy just reinforced the phrase (referring to water) slow it, spread it, sink it - sort of a "savings bank" of water that really applies to us in AZ.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Yes you can use pet carrier - put some straw in bottom, a 2-3 in each depending on size of carrier and size of birds.

I've used moving boxes (medium to heavy duty, medium sized boxes) with holes cut in them on sides for ventilation and handholds, put a couple holes in top to slide some velcro or tape thru so there's air but no one escapes. Add some straw at bottom so they can nestle in or get footing. NO water - your box will get wet on bottom and may collapse and cause escape.

You can cut an X and fold back to make whatever size hole in the boxes for ventilation and handholds or tape/velcro looping points. Test fit how many boxes you can put into your vehicle so everyone still has air and you don't have to tip anyone over to do it. I put a couple full size in each box or maybe up to 3 smaller birds.

Just thinking (since I have lots of boxes) would it be better to transport 3 pullets together in one larger box or have separate boxes for each one?

 

[Stacaroni]

Just thinking (since I have lots of boxes) would it be better to transport 3 pullets together in one larger box or have separate boxes for each one?

I *think* they might find it comforting to be together.

 

[CaroleW]

Just thinking (since I have lots of boxes) would it be better to transport 3 pullets together in one larger box or have separate boxes for each one?

Depends on if they get along. I think if they are together they can face the terror of the move better. Chickens like to be together - it is soothing to them to be part of a flock instead of alone.

 

[igorsMistress]

Just thinking (since I have lots of boxes) would it be better to transport 3 pullets together in one larger box or have separate boxes for each one?

I agree together. It would be more comforting.

 

[Happy Novogens]

My new pullets are home!!!
I'm a chicken mama!