Arizona Chickens

[desertmarcy]

I would hate to see you pull out an established plant that hasn't been a problem in years. Sounds like you've got the perfect location for it. Just don't let it spread from there.

Cat claw looks great when it's happy, but the one I had when we lived in the foothills would go dormant or freeze back in the winter. It was right near the back door and I was always getting caught up in the little cat claws. They're grabby little things. If they're out of the way where you can admire them from afar and they have nowhere to go to get into mischief, they're great plants.

I like that. Yes, mine are too close to other plants that I water regularly.

 

[City farm]

The last, i mean last!! chick's i am raising just left. . They also took the 2 jungle fowl. . I am so happy. e no more brats that think they can get out whenever they want, fly around the yard dig up my plants and eat my garden. Although they ended up being totally sweet for a predator proof chicken.. I have to make some time to catch up on the thread just don't know when. Welcome to all the newbies!

 

[Bobby Basham]

@Sill had some good points. It depends a lot on the type of vine, how fast you want it to cover, how much you want to be trimming it, the soil in which it is planted and the watering regime. My biggest concern would be with access from the outside to the top of the run in the center, especially with any fruiting vine. While a passion fruit or grape vine would be wonderful for coverage, there would be the issue of getting the fruits off the top where it would be difficult to reach. You would also have the added issue of vine removal in the winter with something like a grape vine, which needs to be pruned back after the first frost. They have tendrils that grasp on and it would be difficult to pull the vines off. I would think more about a perennial vine that does does not produce fruit, something like cat's claw, tangerine crossvine or Cecil Brunner Rose. Very nice start to your chicken enclosure!

Thanks so much for the info! Even though growing up on a farm back in the 50's/60's, I am no gardener at all, but feel I can become pretty good at any endeavor I tackle. I do remember helping my dad out in the garden planting onions, potatoes, cucumbers, string beans and collards. Yes, I totally agree about using a non-fruit bearing vine, being more concerned about shade only and not trying to access the top of the run to pluck any fruit.

As I mentioned way, way back, this is just a project that I didn't mean to start until NEXT year when I hope to retire, but ended up with some spare money here and there, and started buying lumber. No chickens were in the plan until 2016, so I'm just piddling around at a snail's pace. That run has been out there for probably a good six months, and haven't started on the coop.

It doesn't take much for me to get cold feet along the way, putting projects (like this one) on hold until I get out there and resume. Chickens aren't complicated or require much, but I'm a worry wart after the coop and run, ya know, feed costs, storage sheds, compost area, gardening projects, using fodder and/or fermented feed to cut down on feed costs...the list goes on and on in my case about all the options out there.

You all have shared so many ideas about all the above, many of which I've never heard about (especially the fodder/fermented feed) until joining this group, and I need to be retired to take on some of these. It's like preparing a nursery for the first born, and I want my babies to have all the ammenities and want for nothing.

Circumstances change when you retire on a fixed income and have to pay for your own health insurance. That's where the worrying comes into play and your budget takes a 180 spin on you.

I truly appreciate all the input and information provided here. What an education. The Arizona Room rocks big time! --BB


Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Have you hugged a recordplayer today?

 

[moms3cuties]

@Sill

I'm am very grateful for your assistance in processing 3 five month old roos!!!!! Sill is Very knowledgeable about processing chickens! ....... my son wants 3 Quails now too, lol!

All 3 roos being processed weighed together at 9.4 pounds. Now I'm going to rest them for 2 days in the refrigerator for mothers day. Pic is the cut up pieces for me to bbq in ice water.
The orange cone I used was on the small side.
I learned the bcm was the largest and all roos where hatched the same day. (So all were the same age)

I sold or gave away (4) 13 week old chick's! I'm having to scale back my chickens!


Less noise makers for sure now! I'll save money on feed too!

@City farm Thanks for the egg cartoons if I didn't say so before!

 

[lacymorgan]

Update on Cemani fraud. Ebay issued a refund but the seller of the eggs closed their paypal account so in reality no refund will be coming. Lesson learned unless a seller has been verified by some one I trust. IE this group. I won't buy eggs on ebay again. On a happier note. I am getting a good hatch on my Black sexlinks they all look like pullets. and dark Cornish or Cornish X are going good. Now to sell them since it was a just for fun hatch from my own hens and I don't want any more of these.

 

[lacymorgan]

I still need to find some Isbar pullets any recomendations on breeders to look for

 

[ChuskaMtns]

I still need to find some Isbar pullets any recomendations on breeders to look for

Greenfire occasionally offers their Isbars (and Cemanis) on Rare Breed Auctions. It costs about $3 to register to bid. I don't think there were many bids on the last quad of Blue Isbars they had but that may be because they had several auctions of their Cemanis going at the same time.

 

[Kristopher]

One of my hens has gone missing. She's red/brown, average size. Location is near Thomas Rd and 16th St in Phoenix.

No evidence of predator incident. She probably escaped through a hole in the fence. Even if she isn't alive, I would prefer closure over not knowing. Missing since Monday.

 

[lacymorgan]

Greenfire occasionally offers their Isbars (and Cemanis) on Rare Breed Auctions. It costs about $3 to register to bid. I don't think there were many bids on the last quad of Blue Isbars they had but that may be because they had several auctions of their Cemanis going at the same time.

I signed up will keep an eye out for them

 

[lacymorgan]

One of my hens has gone missing. She's red/brown, average size. Location is near Thomas Rd and 16th St in Phoenix.

No evidence of predator incident. She probably escaped through a hole in the fence. Even if she isn't alive, I would prefer closure over not knowing. Missing since Monday.

keep us posted on if you find her