Arizona Chickens

[CaroleW]

I have a large coyote here (saw it on my property 2x this morning). It has no problem hopping fences. Or digging under where something has already started digging, or pushing thru large gaps in gates.

 

[arizona_chicken_noob]

Well exactly. I read good things on this forum about electric fencing keeping out all sorts of things, but I suppose I needed to find out of it will actually work *here* before taking the plunge.

 

[CaroleW]

I'm thinking of installing DIY Coyote Rollers (a commercial product) on my dog yard areas.

 

[Happy Novogens]

The thing is though, that a coyote can and has been known to jump a 7 foot fence.

A prior neighbor of ours had Anatolian Shepherds. Their male Shepherd had, on 3 different occasions, killed a coyote that made the mistake of jumping over their fence into their yard! They lived in Queen Creek area at the time.

Where we are now, we and our immediate neighbors (1 1/4 acre parcels) all have dogs -- lab, shepherds, Newfoundland, -- large dogs. We'll hear coyotes in the no-man's lands around us but they seem to keep their distance from our cluster of properties. I'm assuming this is because of the dogs (since some of the neighbors keep their dogs outside all night). We all have 5' or 6' chain-link fences.

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi, We got our 7 chicks from Meyers hatchery on Tues. First time chicken owners. They are all doing great except 1. I cannot seem to stop pasty butt on one of the chicks. I've cleaned it 3 times and woke up this morning to it again. What am I doing wrong? It hurts the poor thing now because I've had to wipe her so much. I'm REALLY gentle but she is still sore. Can I put anything on her vent to help soothe her sensitive skin? What can I do to stop the pasty butt? Thanks!

Welcome to BYC. A good choice would be some probiotics like these as chickens don’t typically tolerate dairy. You can also put a little coconut oil on her bottom. It will help keep the poop from sticking and soothe her skin. TSC and most feed stores will have the probiotics.

 

[igorsMistress]

Also wondering when or if baby chicks should get dust bath materials. Mine are 6 days old & one of them seems to be trying to bathe already. Am I mistaking what it's doing??

Yes, give them some dirt from your yard in a shallow container. This will help them build natural immunity and they are adorable when they bathe.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Today marks 4 weeks since I've had my pullets. They live in a 10'x20' run (has airy "coop" inside).

I understand I could let them loose in our fenced yard but am terrified to do that. Two are sweeties & seek me out when I'm near. The other 3 are skittish. What if they don't go back in their run? What if they fly over the fence? How do people do this?

 

[BlueBaby]

Today marks 4 weeks since I've had my pullets. They live in a 10'x20' run (has airy "coop" inside).

I understand I could let them loose in our fenced yard but am terrified to do that. Two are sweeties & seek me out when I'm near. The other 3 are skittish. What if they don't go back in their run? What if they fly over the fence? How do people do this?

I don't free-range neither. I have a coop that has a padlocked door on it with an attached run, so I don't have to worry about them disappearing or being grabbed by a hawk or something.

 

[springvalley123]

Today marks 4 weeks since I've had my pullets. They live in a 10'x20' run (has airy "coop" inside).

I understand I could let them loose in our fenced yard but am terrified to do that. Two are sweeties & seek me out when I'm near. The other 3 are skittish. What if they don't go back in their run? What if they fly over the fence? How do people do this?

I free range my birds. First, I tend to wait until they're at least 8 weeks old. Once they're roosting, they come home to roost. Also, I have taught them that when I come out with a large yogurt carton, it has treats. So if one flew the fence, I could probably bribe them to come home with that. I wouldn't enjoy it, however, if they flew over the fence with the yard behind us, which is wildland. I also have items in the yard, from trees to compost bins, to serve as obstacles to aerial attacks. And a solid fenced back yard 6 ft tall. You would have to accept that you may have a loss or two, but that they enjoy life, and you enjoy them more, watching their antics out in the yard. I haven't had a loss, and have had chickens about 5 years. Before that I had ducks for a couple of years, also free ranging with zero losses.

 

[Happy Novogens]

I free range my birds. First, I tend to wait until they're at least 8 weeks old. Once they're roosting, they come home to roost. Also, I have taught them that when I come out with a large yogurt carton, it has treats. So if one flew the fence, I could probably bribe them to come home with that. I wouldn't enjoy it, however, if they flew over the fence with the yard behind us, which is wildland. I also have items in the yard, from trees to compost bins, to serve as obstacles to aerial attacks. And a solid fenced back yard 6 ft tall. You would have to accept that you may have a loss or two, but that they enjoy life, and you enjoy them more, watching their antics out in the yard. I haven't had a loss, and have had chickens about 5 years. Before that I had ducks for a couple of years, also free ranging with zero losses.

Since I only have 5 total, I really would not want to accept a loss (or two).
I feel guilty not letting them out but I don't want to lose any.
...Still undecided.