Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

I will def. try that how many hours should I leave it on?? Thanks

We leave our bathroom light on for about 2-3 hours after they put themselves to bed..
The little brats have been sleeping on top of their coop, which is right by our bathroom window..
We hope to get that fixed soon..

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Since the neighbors all around us have big dogs and horses, I don't think we need to worry about coyotes and such. But, we are on acre lots with few trees and lots of undeveloped areas, so hawks are our big concern. When we decided that the girls needed more room than their 4x12 run (which is hardware cloth secure on all sides and top and bottom), we built them a daytime play area which is welded wire with a camoflage cloth top which not only hides them from the hawks but also provides some extra shade. They spend all day on that side, and at dusk, we secure them for the night in the original run. We have a neighbor with a big old cat that has shown some interest, buy my husband assures me that it can't get into their enclosure. I hope he's right!

My neighbors with big dogs and horses have had coyotes get into their yard and kill/eat many of their flock on more than one occasion.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Two of the rabbits we have had were sexed by people who knew what they were doing. Both does ended up being bucks....

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Looks feminine, but no guarantees...

 

[FeatherPugs]

I will def. try that how many hours should I leave it on?? Thanks

I would work it so you have about 12 hours of light beginning in the AM. Its easier as you don't just have the light turn off before your hens are roosting at night - which could be a bit dangerous. I think mine is coming on at around 4:30am and the light is going until 6ish. So they are getting plenty of light. Some say 16 hours is best but I do the 12 hours - that way everyone gets a bit of a rest!! Hope it works for you.

 

[SunBaked]

Hi guys,
I have not been to this forum recently. I am really enjoying all of your guys' garden pictures and those silkies are so pretty. I don't have chickens anymore, just my peafowl but I like seeing the stories of other peoples chickens. Makes me miss mine.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

s
Quote:
Like the others have suggested, it's probably an issue of day length. You can add light, or give them a rest. I would also add that if they are very new to you, they may still be adjusting to their new circumstances. Often the stress of that can inhibit laying for a while.

Wow, seriously !!
Do you plant the sweet potato or just keep it for the plant? If you plant it how many do ou get in return?
We let our golden potatoes start to sprout then cut them up into 1/4's.. We harvested about 3-4 out of one so far..

I'll plant the sweet potatoes outside once the danger of frost has passed. Sprouting them helps get an early head start. We can start harvesting in about five months (more or less). We grow them mostly for the foliage for our desert tortoises, but they do produce a lot of potatoes under the right circumstances. One year we got well over 100 lbs from a single plant. One of the tubers was 30lbs! Of course it had gone so long that it was woody and inedible.

Hi guys,
I have not been to this forum recently. I am really enjoying all of your guys' garden pictures and those silkies are so pretty. I don't have chickens anymore, just my peafowl but I like seeing the stories of other peoples chickens. Makes me miss mine.

Welcome back, it's good to see you! Do you still have your pheasants?

 

[ediiee]

Give them a

Like the others have suggested, it's probably an issue of day length.  You can add light, or give them a rest.  I would also add that if they are very new to you, they may still be adjusting to their new circumstances.  Often the stress of that can inhibit laying for a while.


I'll plant the sweet potatoes outside once the danger of frost has passed.  Sprouting them helps get an early head start.  We can start harvesting in about five months (more or less).  We grow them mostly for the foliage for our desert tortoises, but they do produce a lot of potatoes under the right circumstances.  One year we got well over 100 lbs from a single plant.  One of the tubers was 30lbs!  Of course it had gone so long that it was woody and inedible. 


Welcome back, it's good to see you!  Do you still have your pheasants?

I'm sorry but u saied give them a rest ? How? Like separate them. ?? I won't be able to have light back there it's too far from my house I don't have a extension that far

is there something I could feed them??

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I'm sorry but u saied give them a rest ? How? Like separate them. ?? I won't be able to have light back there it's too far from my house I don't have a extension that far

is there something I could feed them??

A rest from laying, meaning just go the natural route and let nature take it's course. They'll start laying soon enough as the days get longer, even without adding light. Until they start laying I'd use a grower feed and once they're laying switch to layer feed (or just feed them layer, your choice).

 

[ediiee]

A rest from laying, meaning just go the natural route and let nature take it's course.  They'll start laying soon enough as the days get longer, even without adding light.  Until they start laying I'd use a grower feed and once they're laying switch to layer feed (or just feed them layer, your choice).

awwww!! I was really hoping for atleast a couple eggs!! My America game bantam hen just went broody like 2 days ago!! And wanted some little ducth babies!!!