Arizona Chickens

Hey everyone! Brewing a hefeweizen right now after a long day at work. The girls are all over the yard. Classic rock mix kicking on the garage stereo. Modus Hoperandi IPA in my glass. Hope everyone is good!
Wow...speaking of garage stereos, I have a big ole honking Magnavox Astro-Sonic console stereo that I keep out in the garage. I love my LP's, radio and any auxilliary attachments that I add. I just sit out there beside it with my favorite beverage and watch the kids play in the street (culdesac, little traffic), and sit out there til way after dark when it's quiet and peaceful and give thanks for another beautiful day. There are about a half dozen more consoles and drum-table stereo units out there that need some work since older/vintage Electonics is one of my hobbies, and I usually fix em up and give them away to friends and coworkers. Not to highjack this thread, but I need to work on a couple of units and give them away to anyone interested in older electronics. Here's just a sample of my collection, GE Stereo console with AM/FM/Phono/Reel-to-Reel...I just have too many. On a chicken note, I am finding some neat kennels to keep my future chickens, and and Ace Hardware is carrying a variety of hardware cloth. I plan on moving that big Steelcase desk out of my office, move it to the garage and build a nice wooden brooder to sit on top of it, approximate 30" by 5 feet. Wood-framed with hardware cloth all around, and some clear plexi-glass up a few inches from the bottom to keep stuff from being kicked out and any direct drafts on them, plus the babies can see it eye level. Maybe have a removable dividing wall to scoot them over to one half while I clean the other. Someone stated that they are less intimidated if you approach them at a lower level, because they look upward for predators. Add a bar stool and I can sit and interact with them better at that height, plus those desk drawers can be used for storage of any necessary medical/emergency items. I usually plan months, months, months ahead before making a final commitment to any endeavor. Being an office worker and so paper-oriented, I think the planning is more fun before the actual building. That's just me. Either way, these gals will be spoiled rotten, and can't wait for some fresh eggs and companionship. My ideal number would be about six hens. --BobbyB Of course, the top will be covered with chain-link or hardware cloth. To keep out those furry predators and pesky wild birds.
Huh well I guess I will need to coming down that way.. Of course if we are friends?:highfive: It is so funny how the day goes.. I gave one of my dearest friends a Plymouth barred rock, so I went by to see how she was doing, plus looks at her new couch.. Along with her vintage AM/FM radio with turn table.. Ugh, it is so beautiful.. She was just saying how they might need a new neddle & some other repairs.. We love, love , love going to MacAlpines.. It's a old pharmacy from for -ever-ago.. Original bar with the 40'-50's Music.. Along with phosphates.. Yum... They always have some of the best vintage furniture. I dare not get any.. That would never be the end.. You can put me on your list if you can't find a home for record player.... I can't believe you know one of my favorite sentences.
 
Ma babies are gone....
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Ma babies are gone....
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So sorry you had to let them go but hopefully they found a wonderful new home. Since the day I got chickens I've been so paranoid about biosecurity. Reading stories like yours make me even more so. I've already decided I won't add started pullets to my flock, only chicks that are brooded in the garage. I want to go to the state fair to see the poultry this weekend but am afraid of bringing something home on my shoes etc. I am afraid to have visitors that have chickens over to my house or to go to theirs. Between mycoplasma, marek's and all the other scary flock killing things it's almost like I want to put my chickens in big hamster balls.
 
So sorry you had to let them go but hopefully they found a wonderful new home. Since the day I got chickens I've been so paranoid about biosecurity. Reading stories like yours make me even more so. I've already decided I won't add started pullets to my flock, only chicks that are brooded in the garage. I want to go to the state fair to see the poultry this weekend but am afraid of bringing something home on my shoes etc. I am afraid to have visitors that have chickens over to my house or to go to theirs. Between mycoplasma, marek's and all the other scary flock killing things it's almost like I want to put my chickens in big hamster balls.
You can go to the fair. I have been many times. Make sure when you get home, you wash up and change your clothes and shoes. You should always wear/have "chicken" shoes. I have my crocs that I wear only in my backyard. This also goes when you go to the feed store.

As for your chicken friends, require the same. On the Tour de Coops, you must step on a mat with disinfectant before going into see the coops. This year they have 30 coops to visit.

When I visit my chicken friends, I wear their "chicken" shoes. do not wear your "chicken" clothes when going to their house. Just make sure you always wash your hands.
 
One other question...do I leave some feed in for the next batch?
I did start it with the brags apple cider.. Since we have it... Is it a
quicker time for it to be ready for them with the brags? 2-3 days?
Can't wait thanks.. I decided that I will hand feed them.. That way
the ones that are afraid, I am hoping they will become calm when
I need to pick them up..


No, you don't have to leave feed in there, but it's easiest to just top off the bucket and give it a good stir every day. Most people seriously overthink the entire thing.

Bragg's will speed it slightly but it isn't very critical. I don't remember if it was Nzwered Bought feeding methods, but it is not free feeding. Give them enough to finish in ten or fifteen minutes. If you free range, only feed them in the evening. Otherwise, give them a serving morning and evening.

You've gotta record that hand feeding routine for us, 'cause it'll be hysterical. Nobody, I repeat NOBODY I have heard about has CALM chickens when it comes to the fermented feed, and they will always act hungry.

Any more questions I missed? It really is as simple as it sounds.
 
One other question...do I leave some feed in for the next batch?
I did start it with the brags apple cider.. Since we have it... Is it a
quicker time for it to be ready for them with the brags? 2-3 days?
Can't wait thanks.. I decided that I will hand feed them.. That way
the ones that are afraid, I am hoping they will become calm when
I need to pick them up..
I feed out most of a 5 gal bucket of layer mash every day. There is about 4-6 cups of feed and a small amount of liquid in the bottom of the bucket when I'm done scooping out, just add more water and feed for the next day. Occasionally I make a gallon of buttermilk and add that as part of the liquid. (great quick fix for thin soft egg shells) {make buttermilk; pour a quart of buttermilk into a gallon glass jar and fill with whole milk. Cover lightly and leave in warm place 24-36 hours then refrigerate until used. Sometimes I top the jug up a couple of times with more milk before it starts to smell off from bacteria)

If the weather is pretty warm it may only take 1 r two days.

I feed in plastic troughs, plastic rain gutters, the plastic trays that are in the tops of tool boxes (that my mechanic friends never seem to use) Just don't use metal because the acid in the feed will eat through it.

I feed adult birds just in the morning. By mid morning most of the feed is gone but there is enough for them to snack on before dark. Very small chicks are fed 3 times a day, older chicks 2 times a day
 

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