Arizona Chickens

[MagicChicken]

My daughter sent this little video clip to me. I thought it was funny.

Funny and also a little sad - I wonder if the person filming it knew the difference? If so, did they ever clue the poor kid in? It didn't look like a spontaneous shot.

 

[City farm]

What do you guys think are the best breeds for someone new to owning chickens? My friend is getting into chickens and I'm making a list of general info for him, and I always just suggest feed store layers.

I would ask him, do you want them for meat, egg color, prolific layer or beauty? Personally once you get started, YA KNOW CHICKEN MATH..
I like to a bit of it all.. Find a local breeder and see what they have. How many does he want? Does he want to hand raise them to be tame? Or does he want a hen, ready to lay?
Keep us posted

 

[City farm]

I lived Louisiana for awhile trust me I very greatly appreciate dry heat. in


Ugh I am not looking forward to building a new coop. It's weird guns I like, but Power tools intimidate me. Sad part is I know the fiancé won't ever have time to build it so I'm Probably gonna have to hire someone to help me. unless I buy one of those tiny premade coops from the feed store which I really don't want to do.

There's a guy on Craig's list who makes pretty decent coops...much sturdier and better thought out than what you will find at the feed stores. Here's a link to one of his ads:  http://tucson.craigslist.org/grd/4751737664.html

When I told my husband I was thinking of raising chickens he surprised me by purchasing one of these coops and having it delivered. It's proven much sturdier than we had expected to get for the money. The guy will build them per your own specifications to some degree too.  

As a side note from a woman woodworker, don't fear the power tools! They're your friends! Once you start using them the intimidation goes away and you become addicted...like me. 

Yes, love the power tools.. I have not built one all myself, however I did help and it was a high self-esteem day..

 

[pipemum]

I wish I lived where I could have roosters. Someday. My packing peanut EE cockerels are going to be gorgeous. 2 of the 4 are crowing and that's a no-go in my neighborhood. I'm not going to butcher...I've butchered the last 3 weekends and I'm just DONE, so these guys are getting dropped off at the feed store.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Quote:
I was at a farm petting zoo once with my then little girls. I was telling them all about the animals in the enclosure as we interacted with them.
There was also a small school group there of maybe 6- 7 year olds and I heard the teacher telling a kid that a sheep was a goat and a goose was a duck.

 

[allsummedup]

I wish I lived where I could have roosters. Someday.   My packing peanut EE cockerels are going to be gorgeous.  2 of the 4 are crowing and that's a no-go in my neighborhood.  I'm not going to butcher...I've butchered the last 3 weekends and I'm just DONE, so these guys are getting dropped off at the feed store.

Yea same I my area. I really enjoy hatching my own eggs but I tend to get attached to my chickens and I don't know if I could give up all my roosters

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Look who I found in the big coop today! Luckily, penguin and the chicks were locked away in their little coop. The chicks are getting bigger but probably not big enough to be safe from this guy yet.
I locked it in the coop long enough to take some pictures and then let it go. It was probably there for the smaller birds that are taking over the coop. There was a dead sparrow in the coop after it left.

 

[grussell48357]

We have a dozen up in the Huachuca mts. I don't have your climate, but from other posts I've read from Mesans, making sure they have plenty of water is paramount. Some folks put a "misting" line in their pen/run, but others have reported success without it. Obviously, shade is a must-have in the summer months.

My rule of thumb is to treat them as well as I would my dogs. Shade, water, shelter with plenty of food available when they want it, supplemented with scratch-grains and oyster-shells.

 

[ChuskaMtns]

Look who I found in the big coop today! Luckily, penguin and the chicks were locked away in their little coop. The chicks are getting bigger but probably not big enough to be safe from this guy yet. I locked it in the coop long enough to take some pictures and then let it go. It was probably there for the smaller birds that are taking over the coop. There was a dead sparrow in the coop after it left.

Lucky it didn't get any of your chicks! Looks like a Coopers, I haven't seen any around here but do have a pair of red tails nesting in my neighbor's tree.

 

[ChuskaMtns]

These are 2 of my most recent additions, hatched October 27th and I was surprised that they carry the frizzle gene. This was a hatch of English Blue Laced Gold and Black Laced Gold Orpingtons. None of the others are frizzled. The black pullet looks like she's having a bad hair day.