Arizona Chickens

[csr326]

This particular pen is quite large and under a mesquite tree, has a big tarp over 1/3 of it, a lemon tree on the west side plus a building on that side that blocks the sun, so there is always a place they can move to, to get out of the sun. But I noticed they do all want to crowd in one back corner that is under an old table, I guess it's cooler there, and with maybe 30 birds, it is possible the two that died just got smashed under the others? I do wonder about the Ameraucanas, having those pea combs that don't radiate heat like the big single combs do. I gave up my Orloffs because they couldn't take the heat here, they have those small walnut combs. I hope I don't have to make that same decision about the Ameraucanas, after just getting some new blues plus those buffs.

I put a kiddie pool with some water in it in my big layer pen. All my single males or males that have one hen in with them all got water bowls so they have more and cooler water than they can get from the automatic system, and all the grow-out pens have big tubs of water that get changed twice a day---too many birds in those pens for just a few water nipples I think. But it is a ton of hot work cleaning and changing out all these water containers. I hate turning the mister on because it always has some drips and draws in more flies. All things considered, my turkeys give me much less headaches than my chickens.

I think the Ameraucanas will do fine, like any breed you will have some that are just naturally weak. Ive talked to some who've had Ameraucanas for years and they seem to do well. Your set up seems to be nice for heat. Just turn the misters one for a few hours just enough to cool cool the ground. Thats what I do so I dont get puddles and I do it during the hottest part of the day

 

[desertmarcy]

I think the Ameraucanas will do fine, like any breed you will have some that are just naturally weak. Ive talked to some who've had Ameraucanas for years and they seem to do well. Your set up seems to be nice for heat. Just turn the misters one for a few hours just enough to cool cool the ground. Thats what I do so I dont get puddles and I do it during the hottest part of the day

That one Black cockerel that I found dead this morning was from my very first hatch this year, Jan. 27, and one of the biggest also. Such a shame to raise them all that time and not even get a meal out of them. I do not have a mister in that pen but I do sprinkle it from time to time but it is also on a slight slope, so all the water runs into that corner where they all go which is why I think he may have just got smashed by the others piling on him in the heat. I haven't even had the energy in this heat to go out and look at the birds, all I do is feed and water. I've only made one cull so far and desperately need to thin out but this is not the time to do it when it's so hot. I always keep spares for anything I'm breeding, turkeys too. Because you just never know.

 

[desertmarcy]

Small flocks in Georgia destroyed due to fears of possible exposure from purchases from the Iowa hatchery:
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/stat...bird-flu-scare/nmd3s/#d22e722b.3455835.735765

 

[DesertChic]

This particular pen is quite large and under a mesquite tree, has a big tarp over 1/3 of it, a lemon tree on the west side plus a building on that side that blocks the sun, so there is always a place they can move to, to get out of the sun. But I noticed they do all want to crowd in one back corner that is under an old table, I guess it's cooler there, and with maybe 30 birds, it is possible the two that died just got smashed under the others? I do wonder about the Ameraucanas, having those pea combs that don't radiate heat like the big single combs do. I gave up my Orloffs because they couldn't take the heat here, they have those small walnut combs. I hope I don't have to make that same decision about the Ameraucanas, after just getting some new blues plus those buffs.

I put a kiddie pool with some water in it in my big layer pen. All my single males or males that have one hen in with them all got water bowls so they have more and cooler water than they can get from the automatic system, and all the grow-out pens have big tubs of water that get changed twice a day---too many birds in those pens for just a few water nipples I think. But it is a ton of hot work cleaning and changing out all these water containers. I hate turning the mister on because it always has some drips and draws in more flies. All things considered, my turkeys give me much less headaches than my chickens.

Edited to add: there are 12 big pens that have a large tub of water that need changing plus right now I have 14 smaller pens with smaller water bowls to change! And 9 turkey pens that have automatic water bowls that I clean out daily as well.

Wow! Twelve pens! Now I don't feel so bad about my four. I find that my social life has dwindled considerably as I remain tethered to the heat care of my chickens...especially my Biels. They seem to be struggling a lot in the heat whereas the other breeds are nearly taking it in stride. The Dorking chicks LOVE the frozen soda bottles I put in their pen, while the Turkens, Australorps, Silkies and Barred Rocks are content with moist earth, shade and mud puddles. But my Biels....they sound like they're dying by about noon each day despite the swamp cooler blowing cool air on them, ice water to drink, frozen veggies to eat, and lots of shade and moist earth to dig into.

 

[desertmarcy]

Wow! Twelve pens! Now I don't feel so bad about my four. I find that my social life has dwindled considerably as I remain tethered to the heat care of my chickens...especially my Biels. They seem to be struggling a lot in the heat whereas the other breeds are nearly taking it in stride. The Dorking chicks LOVE the frozen soda bottles I put in their pen, while the Turkens, Australorps, Silkies and Barred Rocks are content with moist earth, shade and mud puddles. But my Biels....they sound like they're dying by about noon each day despite the swamp cooler blowing cool air on them, ice water to drink, frozen veggies to eat, and lots of shade and moist earth to dig into.

Social life, what's that

Yeah, I don't get out much. Some breeds just don't take well to our heat and I think it is just better not to keep them. I am actually on the fence about continuing with the Rhode Island Reds because they seem to have trouble. The Marans and Barred Rocks tolerate it okay.

 

[AZKat]

I know that a lot of people are not getting new birds because of avian flu, but if anyone wants to take the chance, or is just getting started out, I've got some Easter Eggers, Red sex-links and Egyptian Fayoumi that I need to find new homes for.

 

[mom-to-5]

I understand most people are hesitant to get new birds introduced into their flock. I have a small flock of 16. I have 3 broodies. I stuck our eggs under them but I am assuming because of the heat none have developed. I want to get my girls off the nest with this heat....what do you all suggest? Should I risk getting day old chicks?

 

[MrsFitzDarcy]

So I lost my Wyndotte Roo this morning, All my Gueneas and half of my BR's were killed by my brothers stupid standard poodles about 5 months ago. But on a good note my silkies are reproducing well and i have four new turkeys unsure of the breed but it looks like i have one tom and three hens.

Don't know exactly where you are, but I'm selling one of my silver-laced Wyandotte roosters.

 

[ChuskaMtns]

I understand most people are hesitant to get new birds introduced into their flock. I have a small flock of 16. I have 3 broodies. I stuck our eggs under them but I am assuming because of the heat none have developed. I want to get my girls off the nest with this heat....what do you all suggest? Should I risk getting day old chicks?

Not a good time to let a broody set. The eggs will bake with our temps and you'll want to break your broody girls. I have a Blue Copper Marans in a wire floored dog kennel under my grapefruit tree right now to break her of her broodiness. The wire floor allows for air to flow under her as well to cool her down. I have my livestock fans running continously right now so that should help. I also put a frozen water bottle in with her. Usually breaks them in 3 days. If you need to hatch eggs use the incubator.

 

[desertmarcy]

I know that a lot of people are not getting new birds because of avian flu, but if anyone wants to take the chance, or is just getting started out, I've got some Easter Eggers, Red sex-links and Egyptian Fayoumi that I need to find new homes for.

We have not had avian flu in Arizona except those 4 cases where people imported birds or eggs from an infected hatchery in Iowa, and even then I haven't heard these AZ properties have tested positive. IMO, if you are buying birds hatched here in AZ from someone who has not introduced new birds from a hot zone, there is very little risk of AI.