Arizona Chickens

[mckenzy]

The Micro Beeps already think they're big girls. Beeps 1 & 2 weren't having it.

 

[tsuninight]

Sheesh I fail to check the thread for a week and I miss so much! That'll teach me!

So awhile back I got a chicken feeder and waterer pretty cheap on eBay. I'd been doing some research but was having issues committing to $75 for a water and feed thing for the chickens. However, the combination of my current feeder along with the wild bird population living in my yard was causing us to go through nearly 50 lb of chicken food in 3 weeks (I have 4 chickens). That seemed like WAY too much... even if it is only around $17 / 50lb bag or whatever. So when I saw the one that was already in the states for sale I snatched it up... then proceeded to take two weeks to put it out.. then took the rains shield off since it doesn't exactly rain much here and I was concerned they weren't eating from it.

http://www.dineachook.com.au/products/Dine%2da%2dChook-'Mini'-Kit-%2d-3-Kg-Feeder-&-Drinker.html Anyway since I finally put out the feeder (have still failed to put out the water unit due to the fact that I don't want to mount it to my house, and we're not so sure the chicken coop itself can handle the load. SO the "plan" is to make a little stand for them. Holey moley I go through a LOT less chicken food this way. Just out of curiosity what type of feeders do you guys use that help prevent feeding the entire wild bird population? I don't mind that they take some of the treats and seeds I give the chickens, but the amount of food I was going through seemed extreme.

How did the council meeting in Chandler go? I think I missed any responses regarding the ban being lifted or remaining.

Chicken Story: So a lot of ppl have talked about giving their chickens scraps and watermelon. So I was cutting up a watermelon yesterday and decided to give a piece to my chickens. Peep came up and looked at me hopefully when I opened hte door and tossed it out. I closed the sliding door and watched her. She hunkered down with her beak maybe an inch away from the watermelon and proceeded to stare at me. I stared at her for awhile, then decided dang you bird, and walked away. So her response. She walked away. They didn't even touch it. I threw it away later that evening.

My chickens actually seem pretty darn picky. They like the barley we give them, though they like the seeds better. They don't eat leftover biscuits or bread if i crumble it up, they completely ignore it. They'll eat the seed mix I give them for treats, but I think my chickens are just downright picky at this point. I mostly don't care since I more or less never find bugs in my back yard, but I'm wondering if because they get whatever they find in the yard (bugs, weeds, etc), plus barley we grow for them, plus as much chick food as they want if it just makes them not care about new stuff.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

My girls are suspicious of new foods to, untill one tries it. I take a bit and then they try it. They wondered about watermelon, I put it to my mouth and they got the idea. Now I have introduced so many foods that they wait a while until one try's it.

 

[kevs-chickadees]

Question about candling...

My silkie was sitting on 4 eggs - they are due to hatch anytime really in the next few days... one was a dud so I threw it out. So, now she has 3. Two of them are 2/3's filled up and the last 1/3 is the air cell, but the 3rd one is completely dark and full. Is the third one ok? I thought there should be some type of air cell? Or is it just more advanced?

This is my very first time EVER using a broody and candling - and I just candled maybe once a week. All the other times, we didn't even candle and we just used an incubator with pretty good results.

Whenever we candle towards the end of the 21 days the egg is always dark and full. I'd say that third egg of yours is further along then the others.

 

[Demosthine]

I've been waiting on an update about Chandler, so I finally looked it up. It appears they voted the change down, so they are still prohibited. Stupid politicians. They have their heads so far up where the sun don't shine that they can't even see the reality of what goes on. Ugh!

 

[pollo disco]

We have been getting some helacious storms here. Tornado winds and big rain. Luckliy, I over built the coop and run so the ladies are doing a-okay. The rest of my backyard looks like crap though. The storms have tossed wood, garbage and trash cans everywhere. I am still waiting for eggs though. Anyone know a thought on chicks from easter laying soon? Thanks.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Chicken Story: So a lot of ppl have talked about giving their chickens scraps and watermelon. So I was cutting up a watermelon yesterday and decided to give a piece to my chickens. Peep came up and looked at me hopefully when I opened hte door and tossed it out. I closed the sliding door and watched her. She hunkered down with her beak maybe an inch away from the watermelon and proceeded to stare at me. I stared at her for awhile, then decided dang you bird, and walked away. So her response. She walked away. They didn't even touch it. I threw it away later that evening.

My chickens actually seem pretty darn picky. They like the barley we give them, though they like the seeds better. They don't eat leftover biscuits or bread if i crumble it up, they completely ignore it. They'll eat the seed mix I give them for treats, but I think my chickens are just downright picky at this point. I mostly don't care since I more or less never find bugs in my back yard, but I'm wondering if because they get whatever they find in the yard (bugs, weeds, etc), plus barley we grow for them, plus as much chick food as they want if it just makes them not care about new stuff.

You have to show them it's food. "Peck at it" with your finger and they'll probably get the idea.

 

[BY Chicken Lady]

I've been waiting on an update about Chandler, so I finally looked it up. It appears they voted the change down, so they are still prohibited. Stupid politicians. They have their heads so far up where the sun don't shine that they can't even see the reality of what goes on. Ugh!

Oh that is crappy news. Sorry folks of Chandler

 

[BY Chicken Lady]

How did the council meeting in Chandler go? I think I missed any responses regarding the ban being lifted or remaining.

Chicken Story: So a lot of ppl have talked about giving their chickens scraps and watermelon. So I was cutting up a watermelon yesterday and decided to give a piece to my chickens. Peep came up and looked at me hopefully when I opened hte door and tossed it out. I closed the sliding door and watched her. She hunkered down with her beak maybe an inch away from the watermelon and proceeded to stare at me. I stared at her for awhile, then decided dang you bird, and walked away. So her response. She walked away. They didn't even touch it. I threw it away later that evening.

My chickens actually seem pretty darn picky. They like the barley we give them, though they like the seeds better. They don't eat leftover biscuits or bread if i crumble it up, they completely ignore it. They'll eat the seed mix I give them for treats, but I think my chickens are just downright picky at this point. I mostly don't care since I more or less never find bugs in my back yard, but I'm wondering if because they get whatever they find in the yard (bugs, weeds, etc), plus barley we grow for them, plus as much chick food as they want if it just makes them not care about new stuff.

The Chandler meeting did not go well.

As for the picky chicks...mine USE to always react to a new food like I have just dumped poop in front of them or I was trying to poison them and they were on to me. Like Beckyhsinglsc said, pecking at the food with your finger will attract them to it. Also only offering up a small bit at first, and maybe just offer it to one of the chickens. One chicken will usually eat something you hold out to them in your hand and once one of them eats it the others will want some of it no matter what it is. lol. The are silly that way. The first time I offered them sprouts they were actually afraid of the big bunch of sprouts, so I took out a single sprout and handed it to my fav girl and all of a sudden the others wanted whatever she had. Now they will even jump up to take the new treat when I come in because they want it first. As for watermelon...mine LOVE it now...but didn't know what to do with it at first either. My spoiled chickens now EXPECT me to bring some kind of treat when I go in their run, or even walk by, lol. They are totally over their pickiness!

 

[Arizonachicken]

My totally awesome rooster needs a new home. He is starting to show aggressive behavior towards my children, and I can't have that. He is almost 1 1/2 years old. Barnevelder/Black Orpington mix. He has a crooked toe but it doesn't seem to bother him. I will give him away to a good home where he can be with a flock. Hopefully someone here will take him, he's a good boy and I want to avoid the stew pot if I can.