Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

Have you noticed that there is a lot of   "  It's completely back-arsewards and stupid. "  around.     

Common sense is not so common

 

[kpgoldstar]

Hi all, I'm a new member of BYC from Tempe (Phoenix). As far as I can tell, this is the right place to post for advice about AZ chickens? Anyway, I don't have any yet, but we're looking to get started. We're currently in S Tempe with a rocky (but shaded) backyard, but hope to move closer to the univ within a year or so, and we'll have more shade and grass there. I'm thinking of a small flock (4 or so birds) and like the idea of the garden-topped coops I've seen designs for online. I have a few questions, though, and wonder if some AZ chicken enthusiasts could weigh in:

1) What breeds are going to be best for handling the AZ heat?
2) Do I need to plan on anything beyond shade, misters, lots of ventilation, and perhaps some wet sand or shallow pans of water with ice in them to keep the birds cool in the summer?
3) Should chickens have the run of a (fenced) yard during the day and be cooped only at night, or are they pretty much cooped all the time? If the former, what stops them from flying away?
4) Within the confines of the answer to #1 (hot weather birds), any recommendations for birds that will be really friendly and social if hand-raised? I have a preschooler who would get a kick out of "pet" chickens.

Anything else I forgot to ask that you want to answer for me? I'm totally newbie/clueless, so I'll take all the help I can get!

Thanks!!!

Welcome to the Arizona forum! I am pretty new here too, just joined a couple weeks ago. There is a ton of gret information on this website and everyone is very helpful. You can also check out mypetchicken.com
the-chicken-chick.com
naturalchickenkeeping.com
I also bought the book - Backyard Chickens for Dummies, 12.00 on Amazon. It is pretty thorough and nice to have around when you need a quick answer or reference.
I started a small flock, just 4 chicks and they are 3 weeks old now. I got Rhode Island Reds which are a full size bird, brown egg layers and supposed to be somewhat heat tolerant. I plan to keep my flock in their run during the day at work and let them free range when I am home evenings and weekends. A well-ventilated run and coop are essential.

 

[MandyFitch]

Someone tell me this is going to be okay please!

Just moved my chicks to their new coop and layered about three inches of hay throughout. We're leaving town for a couple of days so they've got loads of food, water and room to move around.

Only thing is... there are no hooks to hang the heat lamp from. With all the hay, and being out of town, the fire risk is too great to mess with a 240 watt heat lamp.

They've been sleeping outside for the past two weeks. They're about six weeks old now and most of them are really feathered out. Last night I noticed that many of them slept on roosts far from the lamps. The others, including the little silkies who are a little less feathered, all slept in a pile outside the direct heat but still within its glow. That was when they were sleeping on gravel/dirt.

I really don't have a choice but it would be nice to hear that all that hay and the body warmth of twelve chicks will be enough. I've also got towels wrapped around one area to break any breeze and help keep in whatever warmth they create themselves.

 

[Timskins]

Someone tell me this is going to be okay please!

Just moved my chicks to their new coop and layered about three inches of hay throughout. We're leaving town for a couple of days so they've got loads of food, water and room to move around.

Only thing is... there are no hooks to hang the heat lamp from. With all the hay, and being out of town, the fire risk is too great to mess with a 240 watt heat lamp.

They've been sleeping outside for the past two weeks. They're about six weeks old now and most of them are really feathered out. Last night I noticed that many of them slept on roosts far from the lamps. The others, including the little silkies who are a little less feathered, all slept in a pile outside the direct heat but still within its glow. That was when they were sleeping on gravel/dirt.

I really don't have a choice but it would be nice to hear that all that hay and the body warmth of twelve chicks will be enough. I've also got towels wrapped around one area to break any breeze and help keep in whatever warmth they create themselves.

They will be fine. I put my 12 5 week olds outside with no heat a couple of weeks ago and there was a night in the 50's. They will huddle together for warmth if they need to. They are a lot tougher than we give them credit for.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
I agree, they should be old enough for this weather. My biggest concern would be water. If there is any way they can tip over their waterer, make sure you have multiple sources. They couldn't survive without without water for too long, especially if it got hot.

 

[nwebber]

I need some advice. I have read about introducing new hens to the flock and I am still consering it.

I got 3 one day olds back in June and tomorrow I will getting rid of my favorite one who turned out to be a rooster and we can't have that. I really want more chickens and was wondering what everyone thought about getting more of the same aged girls to join the family?

Is it really dangerous to my current girls?

HELP!!!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I need some advice. I have read about introducing new hens to the flock and I am still consering it.

I got 3 one day olds back in June and tomorrow I will getting rid of my favorite one who turned out to be a rooster and we can't have that. I really want more chickens and was wondering what everyone thought about getting more of the same aged girls to join the family?

Is it really dangerous to my current girls?

HELP!!!

Sure, you could do that. I would highly recommend quarantining them for at least four weeks before introducing them to your flock. The introductions can also be tricky as the original ladies won't like the interlopers so much at first. There is a great thread/article around here somewhere that talks about how to make the introduction easier but I couldn't find it. Maybe someone else can remember where it is?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hi all, I'm a new member of BYC from Tempe (Phoenix). As far as I can tell, this is the right place to post for advice about AZ chickens? Anyway, I don't have any yet, but we're looking to get started. We're currently in S Tempe with a rocky (but shaded) backyard, but hope to move closer to the univ within a year or so, and we'll have more shade and grass there. I'm thinking of a small flock (4 or so birds) and like the idea of the garden-topped coops I've seen designs for online. I have a few questions, though, and wonder if some AZ chicken enthusiasts could weigh in:

1) What breeds are going to be best for handling the AZ heat?
2) Do I need to plan on anything beyond shade, misters, lots of ventilation, and perhaps some wet sand or shallow pans of water with ice in them to keep the birds cool in the summer?
3) Should chickens have the run of a (fenced) yard during the day and be cooped only at night, or are they pretty much cooped all the time? If the former, what stops them from flying away?
4) Within the confines of the answer to #1 (hot weather birds), any recommendations for birds that will be really friendly and social if hand-raised? I have a preschooler who would get a kick out of "pet" chickens.

Anything else I forgot to ask that you want to answer for me? I'm totally newbie/clueless, so I'll take all the help I can get!

Thanks!!!

You've come to the perfect place to ask about AZ chickens! You've gotten excellent advice already but I'll add to it (and I hope others also do too).

1) While there are exceptions, it seems that a lot of heat tolerance is an individual trait rather than a trait inherent to the breed. So, that leaves you with a whole lot of great choices.

2) That's about it for keeping them cool. Shade and ventilation are the most important.

3) Either option will work, it all depends on your tolerance for risk. Free-ranging dramatically increases the chances of losing birds to predators. Most people have a coop with an attached run that are relatively predator-proof. This will allow you to protect them at night and while you are away from them. Lots of us also free-range when we can. Some breeds are more likely to fly than others. I chose heavier large fowl so they would be less likely to fly over the 6' wall surrounding our property. The only time they flew over the wall was when a coyote attacked and chased them over. If you can afford it, use hardware cloth or welded wire for your coop and run. Avoid using chicken wire if you can, it will not protect your birds from dogs, coyotes or raccoons. When you start planning, run your ideas through here and we'll be glad to give you our opinions.

4) Friendliness in birds seems to be hit and miss and often an individual trait; I've had very friendly birds from a variety of breeds. However, Russian Orloffs are among the friendliest birds I've ever raised. If you want to socialize them as pets, start a mealworm colony right now so that they'll be ready when you get chicks. Nothing tames a chick faster than a mealworm.

Keep coming back and asking questions, we're always glad to help.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I had seen a documentary and it was referred to as Zentai suits, it is also found under Full Body suits, Skin suits, and Morphsuits. They run between $15.00 to as much as you want to pay, but averages between $19.00 and $39.00. Quality as to how often you plan to ware it.

MarmotMommy: My 2¢ I have been reading on breeds of birds, the big heavy body birds are bad flyers, the lighter weight are good flyers, bantams of each variety are better flyers then the standard. Breed such as game foul are excitant flyers. As for being friendly, you get what you put in to them as a rule, but I agree it is an individual things with breed tendency to friendly ness. The Mayla is supposed to be supposed one of the least friendliest. I have an EE that is in your lap friendly, and her sister was possessive over me. Would pick any other girl I would give attention to.

As for food, we have a very good feed source, organic and not vegetarian. Chickens are onerous and can not digest vegetable protein from soy. Soy is toxic to chickens unless cooked, it also blocks them from some nutrients. It is like giving whole milk to a person that is lactose intolerant. I would think no matter what way to go with food tormenting is very good and healthy for them. I will PM you a link latter to the feed.
I also learned this summer I was feeing my girls to much corn and scratch loaded with corn, got them fat. Last 2 to conjunctive heart failure, had enlarged yellowish livers, like the ones they sell in the grocery store, and fatty deposits. Corn, I was told, raises their body temperature, making it hard on them in the summer as well. Most scratch has a lot of corn in it. I was also giving them scratch every day. In the summer scratch should be given less often.

Chickens will eat almost anything, such as kitchen and table scraps. Check lists of toxic food for bird on line.

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I have mine out in the grow out pen, 8 weeks to 3 weeks. Right now I have to put them in the coop, they just left the brooder. I will probably have to put them to bed for a few nights before they figure it out.

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote: Agreed. I put my five week olds outside last February with no heat, and some of the nights were below freezing. I did give them a big cardboard box with a lot of straw in it for them to huddle in. They used it when I put them in it. Otherwise they just ganged up into a huddle in the corner at night. They were fine.