Arizona Chickens

[nurseshelly]

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Hi,
I saw the poop board idea on this forum (under the section on coops), it's just a board you put under their perch to catch to poop, it should catch the morning poo, and then you just scrape it off every so often. Most people who have poop boards put the food and water under it because it is more of a poop free zone. We're going to try it out and see if we like it.
We used to live in Cave Creek when I was a girl, we were right by Old Mac Donalds Farm (free range animals), and there were only 6 people who lived in our area - the rest was a water tank, the farm, and lots of desert (Jomax and Scottsdale road). The nearest business to us was Rawhide, and Scottsdale didn't start until the McCormic Railroad Park - it was all desert until there. Anyway, the free range animals from the farm would come to our yard, as well as javelinas. We had a sheepdog and she would herd the javelinas away - LOL! Nothing to do about the cows, ponies etc that came through. Petting the ponies was great though

The javelinas were the worst for yard destruction. The coyotes would tree our cat most nights - we would have packs of coyotes in our front yard howling because they couldn't get the cat. Then we started leaving the ash chute open and the cat would use the fireplace as a cat door and he quit getting treed. He was the only cat we knew that didn't get eaten by coyotes. One time a bobcat used it as a cat door too!
Good luck with the plants!!! Maybe a little electric fence would be beneficial around the tops of the fence?
Michele

 

[pdx2phx]

OMG the chickens are kicking my butt today!

Our 3 Japanese bantam pullets are acting crazy (like they're going to lay soon but don't know what's going on) and have been in and out of the nest box and hollering all morning. Our NH and GLW (who have been laying for about 6-7 months) are not happy about the newer 'interlopers' checking out the box and are hollering about it too. Plus they Japanese have been hassling them when they've gone in to lay and this is causing even more hollering. Need I mention that we have 6 boxes, but for some reason only this one is acceptable....

Also, the GLW developed a bad limp 2 days ago and needs help getting to the roost at night and getting down in the morning, and also getting in and out of the nest box, which is complicated by the Japanese....

I don't know what to do about the GLW. I have checked her feet and felt her legs all the way up to her hips and can't find any obvious problems. She layed yesterday but hasn't yet today. I know she wants to as we've helped her in/out of the box like 5 times...but she changes her mind and wants out.

I've researched splints, etc but can seem to find anything to splint on her....

I think our next step is a Vet/x-ray unless we just let her limp around and hope it heals on its own...but it looks like she's hurting

To top it off, they're all still in the temp coop (no ramps) so we do have to help her up/down at dusk/dawn or I'm afraid she'll fall or jump down and injure herself more.....and I have to fly to PDX in 2 days for my Dad's heart valve surgery so my fiancee will have to deal with all of the girls on his own and probably do the coop alone too. I am STRESSED.....

sorry to vent everyone...just having one of those days/weeks

BTW, I keep forgetting who was interested in buff Japanese bantams? PM me if you're interested...they're beautiful, sweet (and probably about to start laying) I'd love to keep them but we just have too many chooks for this suburban N. Phoenix backyard.....

 

[cluckin_crazy]

Garden planted, coop cleaned, muddy chickens bathed. I'm tired.

 

[mclevinson]

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Sick kid, nothing done, I'm tired too.

 

[cluckin_crazy]

When it rains, it pours. I can't meet my egg orders! Someone from work just called and wants a dozen every Monday. I had to take my CL ad down and I'm going to have to get more layers.

 

[nurseshelly]

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Oh, I hope your GLW is better soon!!! Could she be egg bound and that is putting pressure on a nerve making it hard to walk? Definitely NOT an expert, just an idea. We found a great ladder at Lowes by the other lumbar. It is supposed to be painted and used as a house decoration, but it's perfect in the chicken coop!
Michele

 

[nurseshelly]

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Great to be done I'm sure!
Michele

 

[nurseshelly]

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Sick kid, nothing done, I'm tired too.

I hope your sickie is better soon!
Michele

 

[nurseshelly]

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LOL! I was going to tell you we could use some eggs

Michele

 

[nurseshelly]

Phew!!! We painted the coop partially; built, painted and installed the poop board, put in the ladder, and shingled the roof -

Now I'm pooped! I'll post pictures either later today or tomorrow.
Michele