Arizona Chickens

[pimachickens]

And to think I was actually encouraging it's growth! I was looking for something low-growing to fill in the spaces between my flagstone, and figured since it was already there and happy, why not? SOOOO glad I asked!

I have those evil little seeds everywhere in my yard, I just didn't know where they were coming from. My yard must have been infested at one point. My poor dog steps on one or two every day.

So, anyone have any thoughts on something low-growing that would look nice between flagstone? In the NW, we'd have used moss. Obviously NOT a very good choice for Tucson.

 

[pimachickens]

so I am thinking I want to add some Marans because of the chocolate colored eggs. any suggestions on which ones I should look into? do I need to keep them in their own coop or do they get along with others? I know my Ancona isn't a play well with others kind of gal. I am thinking I want the black copper marans because I want something that does not remind me of a barred rock. I read the silver cuckoo are most popular but they look barred if I am not misreading and looking at pics. anyway I know nothing of the marans and I just want them for the chocolate colored eggs. I also wondered has anyone mixed them with Ameraucanas? If so what color eggs did that result in? any Maran breeders here on our thread?

Desertmarcy breeds Marans. You might try her.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

And to think I was actually encouraging it's growth! I was looking for something low-growing to fill in the spaces between my flagstone, and figured since it was already there and happy, why not? SOOOO glad I asked!

I have those evil little seeds everywhere in my yard, I just didn't know where they were coming from. My yard must have been infested at one point. My poor dog steps on one or two every day.

So, anyone have any thoughts on something low-growing that would look nice between flagstone? In the NW, we'd have used moss. Obviously NOT a very good choice for Tucson.

Purslane maybe? It has the same profile of the puncture vine/goat head, drought tolerant and edible. I don't know if it's perennial or not though. I succeeded in eradicating every single purslane before I realized I kinda wanted them around. Of course they never grew back like they were before.

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote:
Since I've been letting my chickens free-range I haven't had many weeds, except in the fenced-off areas. I used to have purslane. Wish I still did. I suspect the chickens have been eating any seedlings that have come up.

Pimachickens, make sure you pull those goatheads out by the roots or else they will re-grow. They are annuals but they are very persistent. There will always be some seeds but you can improve the situation dramatically in just a few years if you are vigilant. Don't miss any - one plant can produce a lot of seeds in a short time.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

When I moved to this neighborhood about seven years ago it was overrun with goat heads. I made it my goal to eliminate every last one and it took about two years. Every time I walked the dog, I killed every puncture vine I saw. Eventually, all the seeds sprout and there are no more to grow. I still see the occasional one but persistence has paid off and my dog rarely ever gets one stuck in her foot.

 

[City farm]

After some very, very, very irritating leaking delays, I installed the water cups in both coops yesterday.  The chickens don't know how to use them.  Am I supposed to show them?  For those that aren't familiar with the cups, there's a yellow dinglething that hangs into the cups--the chciekns are supposed to hit the yellow thing with their beaks and water fills the cup.  Yesterday, I left the roosters with 3 full cups when they went into their coops at 6pm, and when I let them out at 6am, they rushed over to a gravity waterer outside, obviously thirsty.  The cups were empty. 

I'm leaving town for 3 days on Friday!  I'll have someone to check on my chickens, but I'm sure this person would prefer  NOT to have to deal with a disgusting waterer every day. 

Also made the pvc feeder.  Food doesn't seem to be moving down as it should.  Ugh!!!!! 

Also finished setting up my irrigation in my garden.  2 beds flood, and 2 beds get no water.  The hose timer worked for 5 minutes and then somehow filled with water and died.   

Everything I touched this weekend FAILED!!!!

Huh, hope they will catch on...
Little stinkers better... We have to get our installed soon as well.. Our are the red cups.. I might try to add a favorite treat to get them interested??
Keep us posted..

 

[City farm]

Can anyone identify this weed for me? It has a couple of little yellow flowers on it that aren't very visible in the pictures.

We usually water weeds, then pull by the root before they flower... The girls will usually eat most weeds.. All though we do let dandelion flower so they will keep coming back..

 

[City farm]

Hey Kendra,
I may be interested in some EE's. I just bought a house that came with a large coop and it's in need of some happy chickens. Let me know...

Wow, what a way to start..
So glad you joined in..

 

[City farm]

Can anyone identify this weed for me? It has a couple of little yellow flowers on it that aren't very visible in the pictures.

Ew, pretty sure that's puncture vine. Also known as goat's head, devil's thorn. Horrid plant. Responsible for many flat tires when I was a kid. Unless someone comes along to correct me, PULL IT.

Agh!! Did not know it had so many names!! Can't wait to go to FANTACY ISLAND in Tucson.. Camping, biking !! No flat tires... Hope some of you will be able to join us.... @maddbaggins needs to bring fresh brewed beer?? After a long day on the trail a "ice'y" cold beer is a good thing.. We are going to Sedona for the day on mothers day.. Mountain biking, or hiking depending on how many friends go.. Cliff diving & swimming... Then a "ice'y"cold beer..

 

[a little chiken]

After some very, very, very irritating leaking delays, I installed the water cups in both coops yesterday. The chickens don't know how to use them. Am I supposed to show them? For those that aren't familiar with the cups, there's a yellow dinglething that hangs into the cups--the chciekns are supposed to hit the yellow thing with their beaks and water fills the cup. Yesterday, I left the roosters with 3 full cups when they went into their coops at 6pm, and when I let them out at 6am, they rushed over to a gravity waterer outside, obviously thirsty. The cups were empty.

I'm leaving town for 3 days on Friday! I'll have someone to check on my chickens, but I'm sure this person would prefer NOT to have to deal with a disgusting waterer every day.

Also made the pvc feeder. Food doesn't seem to be moving down as it should. Ugh!!!!!

Also finished setting up my irrigation in my garden. 2 beds flood, and 2 beds get no water. The hose timer worked for 5 minutes and then somehow filled with water and died.

Everything I touched this weekend FAILED!!!!

I LOVE my cups. what I did is go push the tongue thing to let water come into them. Make sure they hear you do it and you have no other water source in your coops. Do not allow them to get to any other water. It takes putting water in the cups 3 or 4 times a day and I had a hen pick it up. in 3 days they were all on it and they are doing amazing!!!!

I am so sorry you had a bad weekend. My flower bed timer is possessed it comes on as it feels the need to even though it is scheduled time.

Let me know if you need help with waterers.......well long distance help.