Arizona Chickens

[tsuninight]

So sadly I can't have a rooster and my buff ended up being a roo. I was hoping to get a pullet or a started pullet around the same age or a little older than my current group. I got Peep & Cad 4/28 and they were about 3 weeks old when I got them.

SO I asked in the thread if someone had a Polish available. I like buying from local ppl, and it's kind of fun to get to meet the people I read threads from all the time.

I got a very pretty Polish girl I've named Dahlia. I think she's beautiful. I'll probably post more pics of Dahlia later, but the poor girl was tuckered out and kept trying to fall asleep. She didn't seem to care one way or another if I got a good shot.. Fortunately for me the camera likes her and my first shot was a good one.



BUT before showing me Dahlia she asked me if I liked silkies. I totally admit I've seen them and strongly considered looking into getting them. They are just awesome looking birds!

So City Farm brought one out to show me. She handed me a Muppet people a Muppet. You can all go ahead and start laughing at me now it's okay
You know how you see something and you just understand that every single willpower check has just been failed on an impressive level? yeah that pretty much happened. My fiance didn't even argue. He just went with it (he's awesome).

This bird had a few things going for it that made me happy she had one available.
1. She's looks like the Fireys from Labyrinth .. or you know as much as a real bird can.
2. She was the color of my first horse... I have a soft spot for the orange colored critters.
3. BLUE EARS! They are awesome.
4. Toes! I get that they are supposed to have more toes than the average bird, but I hadn't ever actually "seen" it before. This is probably TMI but I have 6 toes and the baby toe is webbed.
5. She's cuddly. My chickens are friendly, but most of them tell me off when I'm holding them. They'll let me pet them, but I get a stern talking to when I hold them.

THIS BIRD IS AWESOME! Go ahead I know some of you are laughing or rolling your eyes and thinking NOOB! It's okay. I am, and I'm totally okay with just loving the heck out of my ladies.

SO Here are a couple pics of Fireys. She was much more alert than Dahlia. They're both now a sleep in my chicken playpen. Tomorrow they get introduced to my other Ladies.










And just so I don't leave them out. My other ladies .. well and Pie:

GlaDos is undetermined, but there hasn't been any crowing, and her face isn't particularly red, soo I still have hope.
RIR: Cadbury ... who conveniently disappears every time I take pictures. She actually goes and hides in the coop!
EE: GlaDos (yes I named my chicken after an evil computer... )
Barred Rock: Peep
Pie: Polish Roo



I have to give a shout out to City Farm though. I'm really glad she had an available Polish girl. It was really fun to meet her. Not only does she have beautiful chickens, dogs & cats, but she's a super nice lady. It's always fun to meet people who as enthusiastic as me about chickens & I read posts from on a regular basis. I'm completely jealous of her green thumb. My chickens ate all my plants... and well... I have an orchid and a pine tree that I have kept alive since 2010.. I'm hard on plants. LOL Also, the tea was great. Not often I have a tea party.

 

[Demosthine]

It looks like it to me that you have been added back to the group.

Yup, got added back after I posted here. Already sent the inquiry. Thanks, though.

 

[kacklinkelly]

I have be researching raising rabbits for meat.
I have searched for the thread "Arizona backyard farmers" and
am not finding it. Can you point me in the right direction.

 

[redrocketrooster]

Alright, so this isn't chicken related, but it's Arizona related, so here goes...  I was at Pratt's today texting my wife all sorts of pictures of the various stock they have there like the goats and sheep.  She repeatedly said no, until I got to the rabbits.  I've thought recently about adding a couple rabbits and allowing them to procreate and use it as meat.  I want to free-range them, though, just like my chickens.  Having never had rabbits and knowing they burrow, how damaging are they to my lawn?  I do have a 2-foot wide strip of dirt/rock lining the entire fence line where the oleanders are planted, plus the 6-foot by 20-foot dirt area leading to the chicken coop.

In terms of food, they should be able to graze on the lawn and eat all of the food scraps we constantly throw outside, right?  I'd prefer not really supplementing their feed.  I know they are primarily herbivores, so that shouldn't be a problem.  Oh, and this special pasture blend of grass I just ordered would drastically improve their diet from my current bermuda grass!

Any other thoughts from anyone who keeps them?  I would post on the Arizona Backyard Farmers page, but it was deleted and I haven't been approved back in to the new group.  I know more people there are rabbit people.  It's been a bit more difficult to find free-range information on them, though.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Do NOT purchase rabbits from Pratt's Feed. They have had several break outs of ringworm, parasites and I know for a fact they take in reject rabbits from breeders. Do NOT buy stock you are going to consume from a company like that! I'm not bashing them but PLEASE just don't do it! If you need help finding any source of rabbit related items please send me PM. I am more than willing to help and I know several breeders throughout Arizona that would be happy to get you started.

I've been raising rabbits for 6+ years in Arizona and I can write an entire book against free ranging meat rabbits. I can go on and on as to why it is a bad idea. An adult New Zealand doe can burrow 2 feet or more a night, chew and dig her way through wood, thinner metals, plastic, rubber, reproduce at 8 weeks of age, procreate within 10 minutes of birth, kindle 10 or more kits per month, outrun you at 20mph, jump 6 feet in the air and land a kick that yields 30 pounds of precise pressure. (Easily snapping chicken bones!) Any rabbit of this size should be rightfully contained. This is not only for the flock but for the sake of the rabbits.

Rabbits are susceptible to a large array of diseases and conditions (notably spreadable from chicken to rabbits, vice versa and rabbit to young children) that can be avoided by keeping them in controllable environments. One of the top fatal ailments of rabbits is called Gastrointestinal Stasis. I implore you to read of it here. Scraps should never be fed. Vegetables should be avoided with breeding rabbits and rabbits under the age of 6 months. The best diet for rabbits is a quality rabbit pellet, fresh water and timothy hay. Never rationed and always free fed.

In hindsight this rant is too long for a simple forum post. My apologies for clogging this thread. Besides these terribly unorganized rambles there are several factors regarding meat rabbits that logically point to caging units for housing. If you need information on rabbits and sources send me a PM. I'll do my best to help you out.

RRR: My chickens seem to like the organic feed, and didn't have any issues with switching to it.  They do eat less of the organic feed, but since egg production and condition is slightly but noticeably better on the organic feed, I assume its because its higher quality and makes them feel fuller, not because they don't like it.

Also, the feed co-op is now selling human food, several types of wheat flour, as well as kamut and spelt, in 25 pound bags, as well as whole grains.  The prices look pretty good, especially for organic flour.  I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to order a bag of wheat flour, and maybe spelt, this month to try it out.  Based on the quality of their animal feed, I'm optimistic.

That's good! I may have to give it a go once this bag is finished off. I noticed the flour as well, I have to wonder the taste differences?

Got 2 more new babies today!!! All 3 looking happy and healthy!

Congrats!!! Looks like a black, blue and splash? What a wonderful clutch assortment.


That Polish is stunning!!! The two of them are going to make excellent additions to your flock. You have a large variety already too. Good luck with the introductions. Hopefully your girls welcome them with open wings.

I have be researching raising rabbits for meat. 
I have searched for the thread "Arizona backyard farmers" and 
am not finding it.  Can you point me in the right direction. 

See my quote abouve. PM me if you need help with rabbits.

 

[Demosthine]

Do NOT purchase rabbits from Pratt's Feed. They have had several break outs of ringworm, parasites and I know for a fact they take in reject rabbits from breeders. Do NOT buy stock you are going to consume from a company like that! I'm not bashing them but PLEASE just don't do it! If you need help finding any source of rabbit related items please send me PM. I am more than willing to help and I know several breeders throughout Arizona that would be happy to get you started.

I've been raising rabbits for 6+ years in Arizona and I can write an entire book against free ranging meat rabbits. I can go on and on as to why it is a bad idea. An adult New Zealand doe can burrow 2 feet or more a night, chew and dig her way through wood, thinner metals, plastic, rubber, reproduce at 8 weeks of age, procreate within 10 minutes of birth, kindle 10 or more kits per month, outrun you at 20mph, jump 6 feet in the air and land a kick that yields 30 pounds of precise pressure. (Easily snapping chicken bones!) Any rabbit of this size should be rightfully contained. This is not only for the flock but for the sake of the rabbits.

Rabbits are susceptible to a large array of diseases and conditions (notably spreadable from chicken to rabbits, vice versa and rabbit to young children) that can be avoided by keeping them in controllable environments. One of the top fatal ailments of rabbits is called Gastrointestinal Stasis. I implore you to read of it here. Scraps should never be fed. Vegetables should be avoided with breeding rabbits and rabbits under the age of 6 months. The best diet for rabbits is a quality rabbit pellet, fresh water and timothy hay. Never rationed and always free fed.
In hindsight this rant is too long for a simple forum post. My apologies for clogging this thread. Besides these terribly unorganized rambles there are several factors regarding meat rabbits that logically point to caging units for housing. If you need information on rabbits and sources send me a PM. I'll do my best to help you out.
See my quote abouve. PM me if you need help with rabbits.

I appreciate the warning about Pratt's. I don't like supporting companies that have questionable habits like that. I am picking up an unknown breed and gender off Craig's List this afternoon from a woman, so I'll have to find it a mate after I get the information. It's free, so I'm not terribly concerned about how this one works out. Worst case scenario, I find better breeds and this one goes to Camp Freezer.

The rest of it seems to be largely a knee-jerk reaction to some personal bad experience, and some of it goes against what numerous other "credable" sources recommend. We all know that rabbits burrow, are notorious for procreation (which is good for the meat program), and are quick. To me, much of this is akin to saying that all dogs should be kept in a kennel because they have very severe bites and can trample other creatures. Although it may be true, it isn't something to be terrified of.

After reading the link on Statis, it is something I appreciate being made aware of, but it isn't a real concern. With the same propery husbandry that I give to my chickens, and family for that matter), it can be avoided. Maintaining a healthy high quality diet, ample fresh water and plenty of excercise is the recommendations on that page. With anything that will be fed to my family, it is a given that they will be fed this way. Keeping them in a cage, though, does not allow proper excercise. It's just like Coccidiosis and Marek's. Is it something to panic about or a reason to keep your chickens in the coop all the time? Absolutely not. It's something that you should be aware of and know how to treat, but not be afraid of. It's even very treatable, with or without a vet.

After reading about dietary requirements, vegetables and food scraps need not be avoided. In fact, Dr. Dana Krempels of the University of Miami states differently in her article What should I feed my bunny? Similarly, the House Rabbit Society has a detailed list of Suggested Fruits and Vegetables for a Rabbit Diet, including how often each category should be fed. They both recommend limiting pellets to a certain amount per day based on body weight and ensuring hay is always available.

I think some of that came out more harsh than I intended, but I always try to verify the information from various sources. As with all things, there are multiple ways to do everything and this is no exception. I experienced a similar reaction when I expressed the desire to raise the chickens and we have proven every bit of those warnings wrong. They are not the filthy, mean and nasty creatures that I was led to believe. Thank you for the information. It's given me a great starting point for some of the research.

 

[Demosthine]

I have be researching raising rabbits for meat.
I have searched for the thread "Arizona backyard farmers" and
am not finding it. Can you point me in the right direction.

That's because Arizona Backyard Farmers is a FaceBook Group.

 

[flower]

While reading, I came across this and thought it was interesting enough for all who are interested. ha ha


http://www.grit.com/blogs/blog.aspx?blogid=4294967847&tag=Herbs#axzz2ZK7NQ6Bt

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

When my chickens had ticks I was reading the primary literature about nidicolous parasites on birds and I came across an interesting old paper that talked about wild birds collecting and lining their nests with aromatic herbs. The authors speculated that perhaps the herbs repelled ectoparasites. This immediately brought to mind a peculiar behavior seen in my chickens: they will walk into the middle of my most productive Greek oregano plant and stand completely motionless for a couple minutes and then continue to walk through. After a few minutes, they would repeat this behavior. I've since looked at other papers and have found that lining the nests with aromatic herbs or other green material with volatile secondary compounds is fairly widespread among bird species. Wild birds have been shown to actively and preferentially seek such plant material, but the reason underlying this behavior is largely unknown. Some papers have shown that particular plant materials in the nest may significantly reduce bacterial loads on the exterior of the birds and others have even shown that herbs may influence mite and lice development. I found it very interesting and wondered if maybe it could help my chickens. So, when I went to cut back some of my oregano plants last weekend, I put several branches of it in one of my two nest boxes. So far, the two young birds have laid every egg in the box with the herbs (four eggs in two days) the older birds have laid two of three eggs in the box with herbs (it's always been about 50/50). More time will be needed to see if there is truly a preference. The most interesting thing I've seen is the immediate reduction in the number of mosquitos in the nest box with the herbs. I counted the number of mosquitos in each box three times today (killing or chasing out all mosquitos after counting). Each time I found between 12-15 mosquitos in the box without herbs and only one total in the box with the herbs. Again, it's too early to say it actually repels them, but it seems promising. Here is a very interesting and recent review on how wild birds control ectoparasites: http://darwin.biology.utah.edu/PubsHTML/PDF-Files/Bush24.pdf

In the long run I found that fresh herbs were pretty good at repelling mosquitoes for the first few days, but as they dried their effectiveness diminished. That oregano plant finally died this spring, but up until its demise, they continued to stand in it.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

It was a red tail hawk. I have seen this one around a bit and normally doesn't bother my chickens but I do have 16 chicks that are 8 weeks old and someof them are bantams so they are even smaller. They were in the run when it came down. Normally it hangs in our tree and chases the pigeons and other birds, has eyed my birds and swooped low to look but doesn't try to get them. My son reminded me that he did come down once at our banty momma hen (with chicks) who promptly turned and went burserk, chased him after he landed and he left.

Oh boy, those can be trouble. The Red-Tailed hawk we've experienced around here are fearless. Fortunately, we haven't had one working in the neighborhood for a while.


LadyKotaDoria, we had a trio of Harris hawks living just less than a half mile away. I think they could be devastating to a flock. It's been several months since I've seen them.

tsuninight, congrats on the new birds! We can tell how excited you are.

 

[Twinklin]

Has anyone used Pet Club brand feed? I HATE driving out to Western Ranchman because the traffic on Bell is always a nightmare and I hate driving *period* I was going to go out there to buy a 50lb starter/grower but decided to call Pet Club because there's one right near me. The guy told me they carry layer chicken feed but the closest location that carries grower is Paradise Valley, which is just as far as Ranchman but might be a better drive for me. The girls have been on Nutrena until this point but Pet Club supposedly only carries their own feed. Curious if anyone has anything good/bad to say about their feed. This may be the last starter/grower I buy. When they finish this it should be time for layer and I think I'm going to go with an organic soy free once I'm getting eggs from them.