Arizona Chickens

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Quote:
that's exactly what I do. I haven't had mold yet but I definitely had to clean it out after the recent flood and let it dry out before putting more shavings in.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Finally got home from work before it was dark to get some pictures of the chick that is still questionable
This is one of the girls


The definite boy


The questionable one, who I think is a rooster

I think you are right... pullet, cockerel, cockerel

 

[pipemum]

Yeah, I'd say you're right on. Here's one of my 7-week old barred rocks that was a bit questionable. I had two that looked like this: much bigger combs and wattles than their cohorts (wow, look at that red wattle), and their coloring was not as dark as the other barred rock pullets--you can see it's between your pullets and cockerels. But, they were pullets.

 

[pipemum]

If I had it to do over again, I would have installed some kind of insulation material under the metal roofing.

I have a MUCH, MUCH smaller area of metal roofing to deal with (only 5x10'), so this was actually feasible for me. Last spring I removed the coop roofing, placed that inexpensive Reflectix insulation under the metal panels, and than reinstalled the roof. Even though the Reflectix is basically just bubble wrap, the coop was so much cooler this summer.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
I also used the Reflectix under metal. I did some tests prior to construction measuring the temperature with and without the insulation and it really helped reduce the temperature inside. I also like the cyborg's suggestion of using rubberized roof coating to reflect back much of the heat. Having a way for heat to escape out the very top is critical too.

 

[jfishdr]

Does anyone have a contact person who will process birds? I have 2 white Bresse ready and 3 more in a month or so but I'm a little pressed for time to get it done myself.

Thanks,

Reed

 

[mom-to-5]

On the subject of coop flooring...I have a slightly raised coop, with a solid floor, covered in linoleum and covered in sand. Sand is the best and I am so glad I choose it. But, my coop is completely out of the weather and stays dry (as long as I close the windows).

I get away with this design in the valley because my coop is completely in the shade, has two large windows on each side, both front doors open with a screened area for venting, then there are two cable vents and a 4" gap at the roofline for venting also. In the summer it's often cooler in the coop than outside.

Wish I had better pictures but, I'm happy i choose sand. No smell, easy to clean and the birds seem happy!

 

[DesertChic]

On the subject of coop flooring...I have a slightly raised coop, with a solid floor, covered in linoleum and covered in sand. Sand is the best and I am so glad I choose it. But, my coop is completely out of the weather and stays dry (as long as I close the windows).
I get away with this design in the valley because my coop is completely in the shade, has two large windows on each side, both front doors open with a screened area for venting, then there are two cable vents and a 4" gap at the roofline for venting also. In the summer it's often cooler in the coop than outside.

Wish I had better pictures but, I'm happy i choose sand. No smell, easy to clean and the birds seem happy!

That looks like a really nice setup! I've encountered a few people on BYC that rave about sand. If my deep litter turns out to be a let-down I will probably switch to sand, but so far my birds seem to be thriving and absolutely loving the deep litter, and I've never had to endure any bad odors...not even in the brooder. The only time I notice any stink is immediately after one of the birds expels cecal, and that's very short-lived.

 

[Sill]

I have no idea what Blackjack #57 is, but would love to be enlightened.

I'm new to keeping chickens but decided after doing about a year's worth of research to try deep litter, pine shavings specifically. I filled my brooder with about 4 inches of it and the chicks thrived. Now that they're all in the coop, the litter is about 6 inches deep and I add to it every few weeks as they continue to grow. Again, no health problems at all so far and the chicks seem to really like it. Once I have their run completed, I'll probably coat most of the floor of the run with compost material, which I'll add scraps to on a daily basis, and let them go to town with it, especially during our colder months. Hopefully in about a year's time I'll have some nice compost to use in my garden beds.

In the coop itself I use shavings and leaves. In the run I use leaves, grass clippings, compost, wood chips, really any vegetable matter I can get in abundance. It all eventually gets raked up and put into the compost bins when the bins have the room.

I've tried vines up the side of the coop and it's not working out very well. Each vine has, like, 1 main tendril growing. From the inside, the chickens peck at the vines and have severed all the other tendrils. My young passion flower vine is doing great and spreading across the top portion of the coop, but it's all from that one main tendril. If that gets severed by a curious beak, than that's it for the vine. My Tombstone rose is in a similar boat--the chickens have eaten all the leaves from the 1st 2' of the plant, but there is ONE reaching tendril that is starting to climb. That vine is thick enough to escape beaks, but it is really awkward looking. Most of the real shade comes from reed fencing cut to fit, shadecloth, and the metal roof.

I did not realize how dependent I've been on eggs for protein and baking, but now that I'm not getting any, I've almost *gasp* considered going to the store for eggs. I may have to if I bake anything for the holidays. The molt is still going strong in my 4 layers. I've been supplementing with plenty of sunflower seeds, fresh greens, and mealworms. I get maybe 1 egg every 3 or 4 days. Ugh, and I've read that moulting can last FOREVER!!! The 4 pullets...getting closer to laying every day but still not contributing--and they have horrible personalities as well.

You can get velcro plant ties at most garden centers. I use them to tie up plants and to fasten things to the run, coop or cages that I don't want the birds removing. If you use them so that the edges are away from the birds they aren't usually able to remove them and they are soft enough for tender vines.

The problems with insects in the valley reminds me why I live North of the Rim.

The black soldier flies are not a problem, they are food, and we culture them on purpose to feed our chickens.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I hope everyone is getting some of this awesome rain!