Arizona Chickens

[Xfarmer]

Any AZ chicken people out there? I am looking for some advice on raising chicks in the desert. I'm in Mesa. Does it get too hot out here? I have four 20 day old chicks, 3 Buff Orps and 1 leghorn. Do we need to do anything special here

 

[Xfarmer]

Cement pipes that they can walk into bt also a water drip onto the pipe.it will make cool air inside .i did it onces for a dog.place a few. Gal bottles. On top with a pin hole in the bottles .as it. Drys it will drop the temp as much as 20 deg..it has too be a tube also makes its own air flow

 

[igorsMistress]

http://www.poultryworld.net/Health/...eeding-under-heat-stress-conditions-1081411W/

Here's an article about nutrition requirements also. It seems the science might be changing it's mind.

One more

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-635X2012000300007

It seems black cumin seed was helpful in the first article through either it's acid profile or thyroid manipulation. The second article also says no to higher protein. Both articles indicate a change in opinion from previous studies using other studies to support their findings.

 

[BlueBaby]

Not yet but it could happen!

I think that rather than to name them right after they hatch, wait awhile and observe them. Let them name themselves by the personality or other actions.

 

[DesertChic]

What brand is everyone feeding their layers right now? Mine have stopped eating the dumor and I know they don't like cal ranch brand or Walmart brand so I'm looking once again...

The thing is when the wild critters stop coming to steal the feed as well, I know for sure there is something wrong with the feed now... lol

I feed my flocks feed from this group: http://www.tucsonorganicfeed.com/

 

[DesertChic]

@nicollee as I understand it - from way, way, way back in my recesses called brain bank, it helps with the heat. Now I don't know the science behind it - it was just what I was taught so very long ago. Anybody can correct me as I truly don't remember why I was told to do this - extra with the heat and extra with molt. Won't offend me in any way at all if I'm way out of the ballpark on this.... learning is a good thing. AND having the science behind it works best!

I have poultry husbandry books dating back to the early 1900s that herald feeding this way. (A lot of science and experimentation was done during that time.) Obviously when the chickens molt they need more protein for growing feathers, but in the summer it's for different reasons. Most chicken feed includes corn, which has a highly thermogenic effect of them, meaning it raises their body temperature....definitely NOT a good thing in the summer time. Additionally, most chickens will lean out somewhat on higher protein feeds vs higher grain feeds, meaning less body fat to hold in the body heat. I've experimented with my own flock during the summers here and definitely see much more heavy panting on lower protein feed. They also consume far less feed when I raise the protein levels during the summer, and I do mean FAR less, even in spite of the longer days.

My chickens are enjoying their good fortune right now, as I've begun juicing an abundance of veggies every day and feed the leftover pulp to my chickens. They absolutely LOVE it and I've noticed they're feathering out much more quickly now that I'm giving them this "supplement" along with raw meat once per week.

 

[DesertChic]

I was just curious... I mean I was taught as a kid not to feed them meat, that it makes them mean... but I see people on here do just that, and don't feel it changes the chickens attitude. so yes science is good!

Yeah, I've been feeding my birds meat for years without any indication of increased aggression. In fact, when they're molting heavily I typically notice an increase in feather picking, but once I start feeding them meat that behavior becomes far less prevalent. That said, all chickens turn into ravenous sharks at the introduction of ANY special treat. (Just my opinion. )

 

[nicollee]

Yeah, I've been feeding my birds meat for years without any indication of increased aggression. In fact, when they're molting heavily I typically notice an increase in feather picking, but once I start feeding them meat that behavior becomes far less prevalent. That said, all chickens turn into ravenous sharks at the introduction of ANY special treat. (Just my opinion. )

Is there a specific type of meat you feed? is it cooked or raw?

 

[MagicChicken]

I feed my flocks feed from this group: http://www.tucsonorganicfeed.com/

@meetthebubus - I've used the source that DesertChic mentioned. They have great feed. It is milled in Montana and trucked in a few days later. There is a central pickup in Tucson once every couple of months. There is also a similar group for the Phoenix area.

I had to switch to pelleted feed from another source because the organic feed group only has mash and the birds were wasting a lot of it. The birds did well on the mash from the organic feed group while they were on it. You do have to plan ahead, and be able to store two months worth of feed at a time if you go that route. But it is good stuff.

 

[SonoranChick]

Yeah, I've been feeding my birds meat for years without any indication of increased aggression. In fact, when they're molting heavily I typically notice an increase in feather picking, but once I start feeding them meat that behavior becomes far less prevalent. That said, all chickens turn into ravenous sharks at the introduction of ANY special treat. (Just my opinion. )

I agree and do the same wth my gals. We just went through a HUGE juvenile moult (...feathers...everywhere...for weeks...) and I gave them half a can of wet cat food today to boost their protein.