Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

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.

I bet that girl is out there free loading off a neighbor?? Our neighbor lost their chicken for about 3-4 day's before the 2 neighbors were able to connect..

 

[DesertChic]

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?

Love the old record players! The bottom photo reminds me a lot of the one my parents had while I was growing up. I've many fond memories of our house always being filled with music.

And I've loved this entire discussion on using vines for shade. I blew my budget this year just getting all the housing in place for my flocks. Now I need to seriously consider improving the vegetation and I've learned A LOT from all the Q & A, photos, and tidbits of info shared, so thanks to all of you!

 

[Kristopher]

I hope she found a kind soul who is taking care of her, yeah. We have at least three other families with chickens in the neighborhood, two of which said they didn't see her. The other house doesn't answer their door even when I know there's someone inside.

I'd love to say she's a sweet girl, but she's more likely to want to peck you than cuddle. Still, like all chickens, she's got a unique personality and I'm sad to think she's gone for good. The rest of the flock misses her too.

 

[City farm]

 and welcome to our thread!  I also have a block wall around our property and the only time we ever had a bird go over the wall was when they were chased by coyotes.  I have heavier LF birds so that definitely helps keep them inside the wall.  It's super easy to clip their wings if you feel that you it's needed.  Congratulations on getting your new birds!  What breeds are you getting?

I'm picking up my easter egger and rhode island red the 14th and then 2 orpintons on the 21st. From what I've read they are all fairly docile and friendly and decent producers. I have kids so having friendly pets is more of a priority. I would hate to have them afraid of my kids or my kids afraid of them.

Chicken's are friendlier when handled at a young age.. & yes some are more tame than other's.. The kid's will love them as they grow up, plus they will leave them a surprise when they come of age!!

 

[DesertChic]

I hope she found a kind soul who is taking care of her, yeah. We have at least three other families with chickens in the neighborhood, two of which said they didn't see her. The other house doesn't answer their door even when I know there's someone inside.

I'd love to say she's a sweet girl, but she's more likely to want to peck you than cuddle. Still, like all chickens, she's got a unique personality and I'm sad to think she's gone for good. The rest of the flock misses her too.

Hopefully she's merely found the perfect place to perhaps lay some eggs to hatch some babies. I'm so sorry for this loss. If any of my birds disappeared (even a couple that I don't especially like), I'd be worried sick. I hope you get good news soon.

 

[City farm]

I hope she found a kind soul who is taking care of her, yeah. We have at least three other families with chickens in the neighborhood, two of which said they didn't see her. The other house doesn't answer their door even when I know there's someone inside.

I'd love to say she's a sweet girl, but she's more likely to want to peck you than cuddle. Still, like all chickens, she's got a unique personality and I'm sad to think she's gone for good. The rest of the flock misses her too.

Sounds like you spoil them... She will be home soon.. Unless someone decides to keep her because she is such a doll.. If a hawk came down for a swoop to have chicken for dinner, & your flock saw it, they would act weird the next day.. Any weird behavior in the last few day's?? Also, ask your neighbors if they have seen any hawk's look for their next meal up in the tree's.. This is why we love haing a rooster.. He alert's the flock to over head bird's. His girl's run for shelter.. It's kind funny.. Chicken's are better than television, or for the new generation video games..

 

[Kristopher]

I actually have four roosters (16 total chickens counting the missing girl). Somehow everyone gets along. I'll ask the neighbor about hawks.

 

[City farm]

 

 

Thank you!   It's putting my construction skills to the test. I think moving 4x8 sheets of plywood and piles of 2x4s alone is hard enough for a big strong man. Doing it as a lone and not-quite-so-burly woman is even more challenging.

I can identify with the construction aspect of it all.  I tend to spend many hours on drawing/sketching ideas, doing many revisions.  Then, before I get cold feet, I buy a bunch of lumber, throw it out in the backyard and have at it...LOL!  Touch-And-Go all the way, adapting as I go.  My idea started off with a single 4x4 post and branched out like spokes of a wheel.  All the inner 2x6 base boards are for structural support only and will disappear when I go the deep litter route.

Enough about my run improvisations, but really like to know how many vines would you plant along one wall to get a decent coverage to eventually creep over the top of the run for partial coverage? --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

@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!  

We have the seed box now. We will keep you posted on a date for a potluck and exchange..
A neighbor has a tangerine crossvine, which the hummingbird's absoulutly love.. They gave me permission to go and harvest some of the seed's..
On my lost of things to do. They said they tossed some of their seed's off onto the ground in a different area, with great success. We will add some to the BYC box...

 

[City farm]

So how did you find that out? Inquiring minds need to know. The eggs I bought are on Day 3.

I sent the chicks back and then got a nasty email from the same seller saying the chicks all died. They claim the other account is from their brother Lier's cheats and thieves I will be getting ebay involved in this

Agh, that is so sad
Ya know what!!! Golly gee, if they know that he is a cheater, why bother with him on stuff like this.. Can't fix stupid?!
I hope they did not die,

 

[lacymorgan]

Agh, that is so sad

Ya know what!!! Golly gee, if they know that he is a cheater, why bother with him on stuff like this.. Can't fix stupid?!
I hope they did not die,

I know they did not die they were very healthy they were just trying to keep from refunding me. When that did not work they closed both accounts including their paypal account to keep ebay from refunding me . I hope they get what's coming to them. Ty for the squishhessss it did help.