Arizona Chickens

[AZKat]

Macbot: I don't know. The mother is a medium sized white rabbit, and I don't know what breed the father was. I got them from Demo when he had to re home all his animals, and he got them for free off of craigslist. So I suppose that the short answer is "mutts"

 

[K9Dave]

Thought I'd share. On Craigslist now if anyone is interested.

 

[Sill]

I lost my pond fish

Does anybody in the Tucson area have extra mosquito fish or any other small mosquito-eating fish in abundance and willing to share? I have cattails in my pond that are taking over. If you want cattails, you can have some! They used more water in the pond than I realized and the pond went dry, hence the loss of my fish. Tons of mosquito larvae out there now, I need fish ASAP! Would rather have the fish than use mosquito dunks.

I got my original mosquito fish from Maricopa county vector control. They give them out free, but you have to call first to make sure they have them currently available. Maybe your county vector control has them? I have clouds of baby Gamusia in one of my ponds right now. If you were closer I'd give you some.

Quote:

Ok so this weekend has been a total cluster you know what. My husband had planned on going to Phx to get his certificate to complete his A&P training for work. Well before he can leave I found out my sister needed me asap. her father in law is in the hospital in Deming NM and he is so sick he is not expected to make it. They have him in a Contamination confinement room so he cannot be around anyone without special accommodations. He has been combative and out of it and it is very difficult on his family. My brother in laws sister died from cancer 2 years ago. My grandma died in January so this has been such a hard time for all of us. We are that family that in laws are considered family too.My husband also misplaced his DD214 with all the stuff going on and has to have it for his appointment to get his certification. Anyway long story short I need to say a HUGE Thank you to Scott for fostering my babies and being such an amazing and great person. I also need to say Thank you to Todd for taking time to meet us and show us around his amazing abode. I have so many questions about the aquaponics and plants. The seed box will be on its way I promise it is just a little delayed until around the 6th of June (if all is better by then). I am adding in some broccoli and Okra seeds from my garden. Ugh so sorry again and Thank you all.

Yeah shoot we should do the same.. Agh, that would suck.. I have no idea where to find duck eggs.. I will look at the Tempe's farmers market.

Yes Tempe Farmer's market on University usually has fresh duck eggs. They also have turkey, goose, quail and of course chicken.

 

[Sill]

How do you store your hatching eggs prior to setting? My quail are starting to lay and are much more consistent layers than my chickens now that the heat is here. They usually lay in the afternoon so I'm out collecting eggs often because of the heat. I'll wait a few weeks while I separate out breeding groups from the colony pens but I'm not sure how to store their eggs until I set them and I think the fridge is too cold. Is ambient valley room temperature to warm?

 

[Timskins]

Thought I'd share. On Craigslist now if anyone is interested.

Lavender orpington, cool! Wanted some of those when I saw them at McMurray I think it was. Will you be hatching them often?

 

[rhondita55]

I am so pleased with 2 of our 3 girls. The RIR and Black Australorp are great layers and have great personalities. They handle our heat well. We also have an Easter Egger who is a dud at laying, is more sensitive to the heat but she's fiesty and fun to watch so we keep her around. She's kind of the watchdog of the group. I would love to get a few more,(to look at) but these are perfect for our needs right now. (it's taking a TON of discipline) Have fun picking out your breeds.

going today to get the coop. Since I know Nothing.... I think I'll just get some Red Sexlinks, they have and hopefully still do have them at the AJ feed store.
In all of you guys opinion...... are the Red Sexlink hens a good place to start?

 

[carnivore]

CHICK DAY, TAKE 2

Got the phone call at 6:10 this morning (or text in my case, I am totally deaf, and the post office knows it). I had ordered 8 Partridge Cochins from MPC, 6 pullets and 2 roos, got 1 DOA. Also ordered 18 Black Jersey Giants, 15 pullets and 3 roos from Cackle Hatchery, they all arrived in good health. My older chicks were somewhat overwhelmed with the new influx of furballs, so I moved them out to the run. They were getting a little stir crazy in the brooder anyway. They are now exploring the run and pecking at anything that moves (or even if it doesn't move!). Will post some pics later today, the Cochins are particularly cute. At this stage, they are a dark cinnamon color. The Jerseys still look like buzzards.

 

[City farm]

Howdy y'all!

Yes it's been two years since I hung out in here!  I'm still doing well in Palominas (between Bisbee and Sierra Vista).  I've either rehomed or freezer camped the rabbits, ducks, turkeys and redworms, leaving just chickens and Ottoman the tom turkey (watchdog).  I travel a lot for work, and my better half doesn't enjoy farming as much as I do.  For me, it's a relaxing time after work; for her, it's just messy chores.  (I have similar feelings toward our grandkids.) 

So the chickie gals are now 4-8 years old, and I was planning to replace them, but just got a deal going with Mimosa Market in Bisbee (very Mom and Pop) for up to 12 dozen per week, so it looks like I'll be expanding instead.  I have 7 Jersey Giant pullets and 8 Australorp (straight-run) coming tomorrow, to join 15 Australorps, two Rhode Island Reds, and three Kinda-Like-Seabright banties .  I had to rehome Karl the roo because the flock was getting inbred (bent toes and low hatch rates), so hopefully I'll get another good roo out of this batch.

So, just wanted to say "hey" and wish you well!  Cheers!

What types of ducks do you have? We are really enjoying our little guy/ girl... Glad to have you back.. Kep us posted..

 

[desertmarcy]

Thanks for the help. We don't even have the coup finished yet. Thought I'd get a start on the chicks. We keep the AC turned on 80. Sounds warm, but Phx people understand. Now the question is What kind and where. DH says no roosters. The neighbors roosters can't tell time.

Are Ground Squirrels/Prairie Squirrels a problem for the coop? We have a ton of them. A lot of quail too, but I love watching those. 4 Pair and at least 21 babies. Our cats have now become "indoor" only cats.

They will steal a lot of the food, esp. the squirrels. Wild birds can spread lice and mites to your chickens.

 

[City farm]

OK, finally finished putting shade cloth on the roof of the run. This is an L-shaped run, this is the long leg. About halfway down, you can see where BOSS and buckwheat are starting to sprout. Jenny is 4 weeks old now, getting pretty squirrely in the brooder, tries to fly out and land on my shoulder every time I'm in sight. Took her out to let her get aquainted with her new digs. She was not terribly impressed, didn't do much wandering, after about 10 minutes she climbed up an ironwood roost and jumped into my lap. Check out this girls feet! If foot size is any indicator, this is gonna be a big chicken!

It feels so good to finish something.. Can't wait to put the coop from lady in the run.. Love chickens that are lovable.. That is why we love our new duckling..