Arizona Chickens

[pipemum]

OMG. I just went back and searched my posts for an inkling of how old the 4 pullets might be. UGH. End of July. They're only 4 months old. It feels like I've had them FOREVER!!!!! Grow up, settle down, and lay eggs, you darn things.

 

[Emmasmom]

Hello all! I recently moved northwest of Phoenix from NC and am happy to report that I have rejoined the chicken world! I'm looking forward to learning more about adjusting to the new environment.

 

[desertmarcy]

Today was chicken bath day. 11 birds bathed for the show, 7 more to go tomorrow. I hope it is as calm and non-windy tomorrow as it was today, which was a good day for bathing chickens!

 

[maryhysong]

Today was chicken bath day. 11 birds bathed for the show, 7 more to go tomorrow. I hope it is as calm and non-windy tomorrow as it was today, which was a good day for bathing chickens!

Me too; but I have been washing up birds for two weekends now; still have a few to go, plus go back and touch up the ones I already did, but they shouldn't need much.

It's been cooler here and was about 30 degrees this morning; I have to work tomorrow so will finish chickens wed/thur; may have to build a fire and line them up in the living room to get dry tho!

 

[desertmarcy]

Me too; but I have been washing up birds for two weekends now; still have a few to go, plus go back and touch up the ones I already did, but they shouldn't need much.

It's been cooler here and was about 30 degrees this morning; I have to work tomorrow so will finish chickens wed/thur; may have to build a fire and line them up in the living room to get dry tho!

How many are you bringing? I wouldn't wash them later than Wed., even that is a bit late. They need to be able to preen/reoil their feathers and look natural and takes a good three days. I remember at the Pima County Fair, my RIR won over the White Rock, belonging to you know who, which really surprised me. Gene Helton was judging, he didn't know it was my RIR but later when I talked with him about the show, he said he told James it looked like that White Rock had been washed the night before and James said, yes, he had. Amazing the judge can tell that.

 

[desertmarcy]

I put some of the washed birds in show cages in my greenhouse to dry---nice and toasty in there! The trick is keeping them clean until the show.

 

[LilnAz]

I think we all had to try different buttons and figure out how this site works.. In the beginning I accidentally touched the wrong one..
What chicks did you get?

It's reassuring to know I'm not alone! Anyway, I picked up 2 barred rocks, 1 buff Orpington , and 1 white leghorn ( I think). The clerk wasn't 100% sure about the yellow chicks. It's ok anyway it turns out. They range in age from about 1.5 to 3 weeks, from what I've read. I can see where this could get addicting, getting more and more chickens that is:cd

 

[LilnAz]

I'd love to see your coop pics when you get a chance. I think I'd like one that I could attached a door as needed.

 

[LilnAz]

Greetings and    A 3-sided coop would be good, you need as much ventilation and shade as you can build into it, especially in Yuma!   No need to worry about the occasional cold front we get down here, the chickens LOVE the cool weather.  Have a look at my coop to see what I've done for ventilation and shade. 

Wow! That is some impressive coop! I love it! That's way more than my hubby will do. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Sill]

Today was chicken bath day. 11 birds bathed for the show, 7 more to go tomorrow. I hope it is as calm and non-windy tomorrow as it was today, which was a good day for bathing chickens!

So how exactly does one bathe a chicken in preparation for a show? Interesting about them needing to re-oil their feathers!