Arizona Chickens

[pipemum]

Does anyone here raise bantam wyandottes?

 

[Demosthine]

It was a sad day for the rabbits here at the homestead. My wife went to check on them this afternoon and found five of them missing and one in a very poor condition, which I later had to cull. After a search of the yard, which is mighty difficult if I do say so myself, we found two dead and partially eaten. Needless to say, Mommy and the two survivors were brought inside to safety. I'm thinking about bringing Daddy in, too, but I don't have a second cage right now.

I don't think it would have happened if my chickens and turkeys were free ranging, too. Since they are locked on the side of the house for seeding the lawn, I think the rabbits were more vulnerable. So I had a nicely balanced micro ecosystem going and I messed it up. All in the life of a rancher, though. Some live, some are loved and some are lost...

 

[nwebber]

Advice needed: what do you all use in your nesting boxes and where do you get it?

 

[Timskins]

Advice needed: what do you all use in your nesting boxes and where do you get it?

Straw, pine shavings, the feed and tack store.

 

[pipemum]

Sorry to hear that Demosthine. What do you think got to them?

 

[Demosthine]

No idea. Three seem completely gone, one was missing it's head and the last appeared unharmed. I think maybe the one I had to cull was pulled from the nest and got too cold this morning. Maybe it was just hypothermic enough that it was a lost cause.

Either way, I'm guessing we'll keep these two and add them to the breeding program. I am not concerned with inbreeding, since they will all go to the freezer. Many true breeders use very controlled inbreeding and line breeding to improve their heritage lines. It's still early, though. I haven't even sexed them.

 

[flower]

Straw, pine shavings, the feed and tack store.

In a pinch I have used leaves and pine needles. Right now I prefer wooden pellets from the feed store but I don't really see any preference exhibited by the hens.

Demosthine sorry to hear about the rabbits demise.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Advice needed: what do you all use in your nesting boxes and where do you get it?

I use pine shavings and I get it at the feed store

Demo: so sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Demosthine, sorry about the rabbits. I hope it doesn't come after your chickens tomorrow.

I came home today at 11:20 and found ALL of my chickens on the roost. They only do that during daylight hours if something is harassing them. I think that's another downside to a narrow coop/run. Thankfully, I had been away so they weren't out free-ranging.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hi! I live in Phoenix....I haven't had my chickens for long. Do you still have your chickens?

Welcome to BYC! Yes, I still have my chickens.