Arizona Chickens

[LadyKotaDoria]

By Chicken Lady you got that right. I had a room of string in my hand and one of then thought I had something new, was determined to be the first to get it. I have been leaving the chicken door to the run open in the morning and late afternoon, they are starting to gather at t he door and picking at it to get my attention. My garden is almost empty, summer is a hard time for greens.

 

[City farm]

If the hen has been setting properly, they actually keep the eggs cooler than the air temp, and yes, they can be fertile and hatch.  If they get off for longer periods of time, or they have been out getting baked too much before she starts setting, they will probably be duds.

If you see thick white membrane, you need to help the chick out.  There wasn't enough humidity, and the chick is getting shrink-wrapped, and not able to get out.  All it may take is gently poking through the membrane and giving the baby a starting place.

Thank you for the advice.. On the 2nd egg I did make a small air hole.. Still did not hatch.. Yesterday I came out and Loraine had
covered all the eggs.. I decided to remove them so I was digging, & digging.. At first I was missing one, then more digging and there
it was.. It looked as though one of the hens tried to help it out like the first one.. As for humidity I did have the misters on half the time.
While on vacation not sure.. They both have really taken to the 3 new babies..

 

[City farm]

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%252da%252dChook-%27Mini%27-Kit-%252d-3-Kg-Feeder-%26-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.

Huh, did not like the watermelon ?? Possibly cut it up into small bite size first. Then they might take to it... Then bring out a bigger piece
they will get busy on it once they taste how refreshing it is.. Our girls loves the seeds from cantaloupe...
Our rooster Kent is a gentleman,
He will find something for them, then pick it up in his beek, drop it, do it over & over. Then he calls for them.. They come running to see what
he is talking about.. He picked it up again & and says " this,this here eat this" " you first ladies".. Then they dive in as he keeps watch over them!
Chicken T.V. Ohhh, yeah..

 

[City farm]

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.

I think it is only because of the little chicks... He is a sweety if I were you I would keep him a while longer.. Whenever someone is new
they know!! So I go and pick him up and either carry him or put him in a small cage so he can watch.. That way he can see that we
are not there to hurt his flock... Roosters are so great I think the flock really learns from him.. Now I know
most places don't allow them.. We are fortunate that our neighbors are saying they love hearing them.. I have to admit it was a
bit freeky hearing him & getting chased by him.. We have worked hard to show him we are not here to hurt his flock.. He did go threw
a phase where he was upset if we carried something new or if I turn my back on him... So I just keep an eye on him.. That works..
You will be able to tell when he is getting ready to tell you "I don't like what is going on around here!!" his wings start to flap, then his
hackel gets bigger.. By then I go forward to him & pick him up.. DONE.. He has to be loved.. Whether he want it or not..
Plus he has no spurs, he is a silkie.. They are getting bigger, however they are so dull.. I hope you will keep him..

 

[Arizonachicken]

Thanks, CITYFARM, but he is huge. He doesn't bother my husband or me, but he went after my 23 month old. It is the first time I have seen him act aggressively. He has VERY large, sharp spurs and I don't want to wait until he actually hurts my little ones. He is easily capable of doing massive damage to a toddler. And I'm going to have toddlers here for a while. I'm not going to take any chances. Want him?

 

[City farm]

Thanks, CITYFARM, but he is huge. He doesn't bother my husband or me, but he went after my 23 month old. It is the first time I have seen him act aggressively. He has VERY large, sharp spurs and I don't want to wait until he actually hurts my little ones. He is easily capable of doing massive damage to a toddler. And I'm going to have toddlers here for a while. I'm not going to take any chances. Want him?

Oh!! Wow.. Your kids ok??
hope our boy does not get spurs like that.. If we could we would live to have him.. He is gorgeous & sounds sweet.
Yeah he needs a good new home..

 

[Arizonachicken]

Yeah, he is fine. It's just more of the idea that the rooster COULD do damage. I'm really hoping someone wants him.

 

[redrocketrooster]

Aww that sucks! Ill network around and see if anyone I know needs a big ole roo. Like City said, he looks very nice.

 

[maryhysong]

Thanks, CITYFARM, but he is huge. He doesn't bother my husband or me, but he went after my 23 month old. It is the first time I have seen him act aggressively. He has VERY large, sharp spurs and I don't want to wait until he actually hurts my little ones. He is easily capable of doing massive damage to a toddler. And I'm going to have toddlers here for a while. I'm not going to take any chances. Want him?

you can take those spurs off pretty easily; I took 3 1/2 inch spurs off my Welsummer; a small amount of blood weeped for a few hours but by the next morning was scabbed over and that was it. My boy was in with some babies and no one bothered him, but you might keep him separate a few days so the hens don't peck at it. This video shows the method I used very well.

 

[aztuffenuff]

Hi y'all I live a couple miles outside of Tombstone. I have turkeys but I love all birds!! I am planning to get some chickens in the future. So far my turkeys have done okay but we are up above 4,000 feet so we do not get as hot as some places. I put a shade cloth over my turkeys and mist them a couple times a day and they have been doing great so far. I am happy to see so many Arizona people here!!