Arizona Chickens

[Mama Hen Chris]

What kind of feed did you use to get the peach face love birds to come? I have been trying to get them with no luck. I took my bird feeders down a while back for biosecurity for the chickens because people had me paranoid but I've gotten a grip on reality when it comes to that and I might put them back up at least on the side of the yard where the chickens don't go. I had regular wild bird mix in one feeder and Nyger in another in 2 style feeders and never got any love birds. I've only seen them once since I moved to AZ. I saw one when I was jogging on a bath off Mountain view near Hayden by my old apt complex.

Here was today's project that my bf and I worked on.

Before:



After:



At night:



We didn't want to spend much and found this at home depot for cheap. It had to be put off center for the hottub lid to open all the way but we think it turned out pretty. We'll be getting some little lanterns or something to decorate it up a bit more.

Tomorrow I paint my craftroom/ guest bedroom PURPLE!!!!!

Turned out very nice.

I bought the 10 pound bag of wild bird food at Lowe's. It is the one with a purple label on it. The feeder has been out for 2 weeks. First the doves showed up, then the "scrub" cardinals. Today the lovebirds showed up. I am sure they will keep coming back.

 

[Timskins]

I got my broilers in this Friday. Never had an issue with pasty butt on my 12 layers but these are out of control. I thought I was done wiping butts since my 2 yr old is almost potty trained. Its a full time job keeping them clean.

 

[roostereggs]

Wow he is georgous !! He looks a bit like Fiona that we got from you.. Is he possibly the dad? Can't wait to see what the new chicks look like..

That brown and black chick toward the bottom is beautiful!!!

 

[roostereggs]

@Twinklin

Nice job on the hot tub. I have always wanted something like that over ours, but I enjoy sitting out there when it's raining too much.
Hope your painting goes ok. I hate painting. We just finished my 13yo dd's room, lavender. She wanted a wall of chalkboard paint so I got the chalkboard contact paper but it bubbles and doesn't work. Now I have to go get more painting supplies.

And now dh and I made a brooder that needs to be painted, also. I have a feeling I have a NOT FUN weekend coming up.

 

[Demosthine]

I got my broilers in this Friday.  Never had an issue with pasty butt on my 12 layers but these are out of control.  I thought I was done wiping butts since my 2 yr old is almost potty trained.  Its a full time job keeping them clean.

When our broilers were on the dry feed, their pasty butt was horrible and they stunk something fierce. After switching to fermented, though, they were all clean and fresh a few days later. Keep them on the fermented twice a day, foraging the rest, and it'll get better. Everyone on the Fermented Feed for Meat Birds thread posts amazing results, too.

 

[Timskins]

I like the many benefits of FF but it just seems so time consuming. I guess cleaning butts everyday is as well...

 

[FeatherPugs]

What kind of feed did you use to get the peach face love birds to come? I have been trying to get them with no luck. I took my bird feeders down a while back for biosecurity for the chickens because people had me paranoid but I've gotten a grip on reality when it comes to that and I might put them back up at least on the side of the yard where the chickens don't go. I had regular wild bird mix in one feeder and Nyger in another in 2 style feeders and never got any love birds. I've only seen them once since I moved to AZ. I saw one when I was jogging on a path off Mountain View near Hayden by my old apt complex.

Here was today's project that my bf and I worked on.

Before:



After:



At night:



We didn't want to spend much and found this at home depot for cheap. It had to be put off center for the hottub lid to open all the way but we think it turned out pretty. We'll be getting some little lanterns or something to decorate it up a bit more.

Tomorrow I paint my craftroom/ guest bedroom PURPLE!!!!!

Envious, envious, Envious!!!! Looks wonderful!! Enjoy the purple!

 

[Angelray]

Yay...another 1st egg. From Onya my Russian Orloff! I'm super excited. Plan on cooping her with her beau, Buddy & trying to hatch some her eggs. I just need a broody....or a bator!

Finally getting a few eggs everyday! Polish gal still not laying, but I have a RIR, EE, my golden lake elder & now the orloff! Only....10 girls to go, but one is WAY to young & could even be a cockerel sultan. Its hard to tell(for me always).

 

[Demosthine]

I like the many benefits of FF but it just seems so time consuming. I guess cleaning butts everyday is as well...

It really isn't. Start with a five-gallon bucket and fill about 1/4 full, then top off with water until about 3/4 full. Mix thoroughly and allow to sit for 24-72 hours, stirring daily. This will allow it to start fermenting and free all of those nutrients that aren't as readily absorbed dry. Then, every time you feed, add approximately 1/2 the weight of the fermented feed with dry feed and stir. Top off with water periodically. That's the extent of the work. Don't cover the bucket because it needs airflow, otherwise it may start to mold. Don't be afraid of the layer of "scum" that may develop on the surface. That's the "mother" or the colony of beneficial bacteria. Just stir it in to the mix and serve up.

You'll start noticing you go through feed slower because the feed expands to two or three times it's volume when dry. Feed the same amount by volume and you'll be good. And because all of those nutrients are more readily available, you're flock will be healthier. Plus, you'll notice they drink less water since the food is already moist. You're egg shells should be slightly thicker in a few weeks and their feathers will be more glossy. It's a fabulous win-win situation. You may notice a sourdough bread type smell, but that's just it fermenting well. Some think it smells horrible, I find it pretty reasonable, but I keep it in my workshop for my wife's sake. Oh, and expect them to follow you around more and become mini-velociraptors... It's always a feeding frenzy, no matter how much you feed them ever day. Feed by volume and they'll be fine.

 

[Timskins]

It really isn't. Start with a five-gallon bucket and fill about 1/4 full, then top off with water until about 3/4 full. Mix thoroughly and allow to sit for 24-72 hours, stirring daily. This will allow it to start fermenting and free all of those nutrients that aren't as readily absorbed dry. Then, every time you feed, add approximately 1/2 the weight of the fermented feed with dry feed and stir. Top off with water periodically. That's the extent of the work. Don't cover the bucket because it needs airflow, otherwise it may start to mold. Don't be afraid of the layer of "scum" that may develop on the surface. That's the "mother" or the colony of beneficial bacteria. Just stir it in to the mix and serve up.

You'll start noticing you go through feed slower because the feed expands to two or three times it's volume when dry. Feed the same amount by volume and you'll be good. And because all of those nutrients are more readily available, you're flock will be healthier. Plus, you'll notice they drink less water since the food is already moist. You're egg shells should be slightly thicker in a few weeks and their feathers will be more glossy. It's a fabulous win-win situation. You may notice a sourdough bread type smell, but that's just it fermenting well. Some think it smells horrible, I find it pretty reasonable, but I keep it in my workshop for my wife's sake. Oh, and expect them to follow you around more and become mini-velociraptors... It's always a feeding frenzy, no matter how much you feed them ever day. Feed by volume and they'll be fine.

All right you convinced me, I will give it a try with my broilers first.

On another note I have joined the first egg club. Dont know who laid it but it wasnt there this morning, but when I went to check on them this afternoon there it was sitting on the floor of the run. Apparently the golf balls in the nesting boxes weren't obvious enough for them. It was pretty cool seeing that first egg ever.