Arizona Chickens

[a little chiken]

My chickens have been cooped up for the last 2 weeks with no free ranging while I wait for new grass seed to come in. There laying hasn't been affected but it looks like the feathers around their vent and their tails are getting plucked out. Are they getting bored from being cooped up and pecking at each other?

I do not free range my chickens because I have big dogs that love chickens so mine are in a large coop. yes they can get bored so I make sure and add things to occupy my hens and Roo. I also have bare ends but I had 2 roosters in with 15 hens an I was told that was why. I built a dirt bath area and I have several different height perch areas in the "bedroom" area and I have put in a wooden bridge, some stumps and some large cut tree limbs in my coop. I also keep them busy with snacks for them. hanging lettuce etc and I throw seeds to them on the dirt so they have to look for them. They are also getting a mirror in their coop. I might also add a bale of straw at some point.

 

[mnabity]

A little chicken and K9Dave thank you for your kind words. I recently bought 15 chicks and crossing my fingers for better luck with this batch.

K9Dave I've lived here most of my life and it is truly a wonderful place to live. My father has worked as a machinist for TEP for over 25 years, you may have crossed paths with him. Small world.

 

[mnabity]

My chickens have been cooped up for the last 2 weeks with no free ranging while I wait for new grass seed to come in. There laying hasn't been affected but it looks like the feathers around their vent and their tails are getting plucked out. Are they getting bored from being cooped up and pecking at each other?

I used the hanging cagesthat are made to hold suet cakes for wild birds. I pack them with veggies an hang them in their run. It helps keep them occupied.

 

[K9Dave]

I'm sure I did meet him at some point as there's only one lunch room lol. I worked in the Water Dept. as an RO Technician for Siemens Water Industry. I was planning to move there and everything but got laid off. Now I'm trying to get back. I'm a Blacksmith and hope to build our dream cabin up there.

Where do you live in Eagar?

 

[Timskins]

I am new to owning chickens and am about to throw Bermuda here in Phx and was wondering te same thing. Does it take 2 weeks for the grass seed to germinate? Hope they're alright.

It takes a lot longer then 2 weeks. It will be well over a month before there will be enough grass to let them loose on.

 

[pimachickens]

My chickens have been cooped up for the last 2 weeks with no free ranging while I wait for new grass seed to come in. There laying hasn't been affected but it looks like the feathers around their vent and their tails are getting plucked out. Are they getting bored from being cooped up and pecking at each other?

Another thing you can try is compost. Mine used to love to go through the almost finished compost and pick out all the bugs. If you have some already going somewhere, you might try throwing a few shovels full into the run. It keeps them busy for quite a while, plus it gets really well mixed.

 

[pimachickens]

A little chicken and Gallo - thank you for the kind words and the welcome back. Gallo, I also have some seeds to donate to the seed box, if you need.

 

[mnabity]

...

I'm sure I did meet him at some point as there's only one lunch room lol. I worked in the Water Dept. as an RO Technician for Siemens Water Industry. I was planning to move there and everything but got laid off. Now I'm trying to get back. I'm a Blacksmith and hope to build our dream cabin up there.

Where do you live in Eagar?[/quote

I live near the saw mill. If you do come back up here we will have to get together and talk chicken :-D

 

[K9Dave]

It takes a lot longer then 2 weeks.  It will be well over a month before there will be enough grass to let them loose on.

Great. The chicks have done such a good job turning over the crusty, compact Phoenix dirt that I was super excited about throwing grass seed. It's so dusty here that I want grass to keep the tracking in of dirt down. I thought for sure that I would only have to coop them for a week to let it germinate. 1 month, they're gonna drive me crazy

 

[pipemum]

Hey all I've been out of the loop for a while. I've been raising chickens for about 5 years now but I had a devil of a time starting up my first batch of 18 were supposed to be pullets and I wound up with 17 cockerels. my second batch was going great they were all hatched from some buff Orpingtons eggs that were given to me and I wound up losing them in their second year to the Wallow fire. the next spring I got another 20 and 18 of them were hens but this past winter I lost all but 6 to a neighbors dog. Today I lost one of my two turkeys due to a wound she got from a pecking battle with the other turkey(which was odd because they've never fought before). So I'm somewhat starting over. I'm located in Eagar(midway up the state very near the NM border). Its much cooler here than most of AZ(we are still getting freezing temps at night). Is there anyone else located in my area?

Edited for spelling

My parents just bought a house in Eagar, but don't live there full-time yet. Their neighbor and I bonded over chickens--she has a few. Eagar is so beautiful, and I have been searching realtor.com for homes for sale since my parents bought a house...but I dunno, employment is so scarce.