Arizona Chickens

[Sill]

It's going to be 8' wide X 16' long. We've got it raised up about 30" or so off the ground and will have the roof sloping from 8' high in the front down to 6' in the back. There should be plenty of room in there for the 26 chicks we've got coming at the end of August.

What part of AZ are you in? Please post pics when you get your chicks.

Dang it. We lost 'Thing 2" a beautiful grey Ameraucana and my daughters favorite. I sure hate having to tell my daughters. This morning when my 9 year old woke up the first thing she asked was 'Dad, did any of them die last night?'. Followed by lots of tears. It seems like we lose one every summer when the heat spikes. It seems a little odd that she made it through the day and died at 10 o'clock at night. This is also her 2nd summer which gave me false confidence that she'd be able to tolerate the heat.

Sorry about your loss, it's hard on younger kids when the chickens are their pets.

I am with you Penedesencas would be a good breed for our heat.. Let us know if you find some..

Will do.

I like the idea of adding the clipped grass and tree debris, etc.
What kind of sand are you going to use?

I use grass clippings and leaves in my run.
I use play sand from Home Depot in my chickens' run mixed with the above. In the coop I have shavings and sand. I also have the sand under my quail cages.

Our lotus pond plant is growing is growing so wonderfully ..

So cool! The ones I started are just starting to peek out.

There is a website for them http://www.penedesencausa.com/breeder-info.html looks like the closest breeder is CA. This breed is not in the APA standard so you will not find as many people interested in them since they cannot compete to win in shows. They have a carnation comb which on any other breed in the standard would disqualify them. I believe some of the Marans' lines had some Penedescenda bred into them because we sometimes have to cull birds that have carnation comb. Maybe that is helping the Marans to be heat tolerant, who knows. I just know whenever I see that carnation comb, they are culled, I won't even sell the pullets that have it, lest someone less knowledgeable might breed them down the road.

I don't doubt some have crossed Penes with Marans for egg color. Those large beautiful carnation combs are probably one reason the Penes do well with the heat.

Whew finally caught up on all the posts. I am very sorry to see everyone that has lost birds. We lost Phoebe our Avatar this past weekend as well. I think it was more than just the heat unfortunately but I do understand the feeling of loss everyone is going threw. I am happy to say my wife and I will be heading down to Tucson to see Desertmarcy tomorrow to pick out a couple birds to add to our flock. Really excited to see her place sicne she has helped so much with questions in the past. Hope everyone stays cool today.

Post pics of your new chickens!

 

[chicksurreal]

What part of AZ are you in? Please post pics when you get your chicks.

We're basically in the center of AZ. We live way out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by Prescott National Forest.

I'll definitely post pics of our newest flock when they arrive.

 

[Macboat]

Again, lost a capon to the heat today. All my hens are good though.

 

[mnabity]

Good Morning everyone.

I have a question please. Last night I bought an 18 pack of eggs from the store and somehow left them on the counter all night. Are they any good now?

I'm far behind AGAIN and you've probably had several replies and maybe even finished the eggs but if you ever question whether and egg is good or bad there is a simple test you can do. Fill a container that's talker than the egg is long, place the egg in the water if it sinks it's good, if it stands on end it's ok, but should be eaten soon(like within a week), and if it floats it's bad.

 

[K9Dave]

I'm far behind AGAIN and you've probably had several replies and maybe even finished the eggs but if you ever question whether and egg is good or bad there is a simple test you can do. Fill a container that's talker than the egg is long, place the egg in the water if it sinks it's good, if it stands on end it's ok, but should be eaten soon(like within a week), and if it floats it's bad.

Thanks for the advice. Good to know info.

I don't see any seed starting a all I see is a cross. Lol

I was out of it after. Y procedure yesterday. The wife says that he did find some problem areas I guess and we have to make an appt to talk it over.

Thanks for all of the well wishes.

 

[Karmy]

Are my ducks too dumb to eat?? I don't understand, I got them an automatic feeder and they walk right by it. the only time they eat from it is when I get them a new type of food, then after a day, they forget it exists and don't eat from it. The only other time they eat is if I am throwing the food to them and they don't even both eat it only one does and the girl just sits there and watches me throw the food. Every time I see a picture of other peoples ducks they eat just fine, I don't know what the deal is, any suggestions?

 

[K9Dave]

Are my ducks too dumb to eat?? I don't understand, I got them an automatic feeder and they walk right by it. the only time they eat from it is when I get them a new type of food, then after a day, they forget it exists and don't eat from it. The only other time they eat is if I am throwing the food to them and they don't even both eat it only one does and the girl just sits there and watches me throw the food. Every time I see a picture of other peoples ducks they eat just fine, I don't know what the deal is, any suggestions?

I've never had ducks but if I had to guess, maybe they're getting plenty to eat elsewhere (chickens food, dog food etc) or they're eating when you're not looking. Lol. All of my animals eat less in the summer as well because they're less active.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I was out of it after. Y procedure yesterday. The wife says that he did find some problem areas I guess and we have to make an appt to talk it over.

Thanks for all of the well wishes.

I was thinking about you yesterday. I hope it all turns out well.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Are my ducks too dumb to eat?? I don't understand, I got them an automatic feeder and they walk right by it. the only time they eat from it is when I get them a new type of food, then after a day, they forget it exists and don't eat from it. The only other time they eat is if I am throwing the food to them and they don't even both eat it only one does and the girl just sits there and watches me throw the food. Every time I see a picture of other peoples ducks they eat just fine, I don't know what the deal is, any suggestions?

I'm almost afraid to ask, but what kind of automatic feeder is it?

 

[City farm]

Here is one of my Rocks is it a Cockerel or a Pullet, it is only 4 weeks and a couple days old. I call him/her Brave because he/she is always the first to do anything lol

Cock-a-doodle-do!

That is a good answer girl...