Arizona Chickens

[meetthebubus]

I'm going to plant some grass for the girls soon, section it off grow, then let them have it last year as pullets they loved it! It's SO NOT green around here lol

 

[igorsMistress]

@DesertChic question about feathers since you have cool books. You said more densely packed gives the chicken the ability to stay warm because they can form a layer of warm air. Did that study say this could have a negative influence in the heat? Or would it be the opposite?

Hubs processed my older roo today and literally half his weight was feathers. I was wondering if that's why he had such a hard time in the heat.

 

[DesertChic]

@DesertChic question about feathers since you have cool books. You said more densely packed gives the chicken the ability to stay warm because they can form a layer of warm air. Did that study say this could have a negative influence in the heat? Or would it be the opposite?

Hubs processed my older roo today and literally half his weight was feathers. I was wondering if that's why he had such a hard time in the heat.

Unfortunately, all of the studies were all performed in colder climates with the exception of one honorable mention of NN Turkens being used in Africa during colonization. (They were the only breed to not only survive but thrive in the intense desert conditions.) Deductions can be made, however. The suggestion is that tightly feathered birds would have a harder time in the heat, but that doesn't take into account the amount of "under-fluff". Given what I've seen with my Bielefelders and the one Cochin-mix I had, I think that under-fluff makes it much harder for the birds to adapt to the heat. My Dark Cornish crosses also suffered more in the heat, but given how much muscle they packed on from an early age I can't say it was the feathering.

 

[igorsMistress]

Unfortunately, all of the studies were all performed in colder climates with the exception of one honorable mention of NN Turkens being used in Africa during colonization. (They were the only breed to not only survive but thrive in the intense desert conditions.) Deductions can be made, however. The suggestion is that tightly feathered birds would have a harder time in the heat, but that doesn't take into account the amount of "under-fluff". Given what I've seen with my Bielefelders and the one Cochin-mix I had, I think that under-fluff makes it much harder for the birds to adapt to the heat. My Dark Cornish crosses also suffered more in the heat, but given how much muscle they packed on from an early age I can't say it was the feathering.

Thank you much, I'm pretty sure I know why the poor guy had a hard time then.

Next additions to the flock will be naked necks for sure. I've wanted them all along, hubs is a little resistant because of appearance but I don't care.

 

[SonoranChick]

I would like to know if you folks leave feed available 24/7, or just feed in the mornings and late afternoon? I'm still in the planning stages and like the idea of those tube feeders made from PVC pipes
View attachment 1170730 --BB

I eventually want to have something similar to he PVC pipe system you have shown. It appears to be bug, weather, and rodent proof. I have a galvanized feeder full of crumble food that I leave out all day. I have to place it up high at night because of the stupid pack rats. I am working on a way to hang it without using string. It is heavy when full.
Anyway, treats include seasonal fruits and veggies...I like to do refrigerated stuff like cucumber and watermelon when it's hot...plain no sugar yogurt, a little fruit, & their crumble mixed in like a parfait lol...I get creative. Pumpkin cut in half is always good. Also, there is a product at my local feed store called chickie garden picnic. It's got all kinds off seeds and herbs and protein sources like shrimp..kinda pricey but mashed up with a banana...they love it!

 

[SonoranChick]

I give my mature chickens wet or fermented feed on a pretty regular schedule. First thing in the morning they get feed, and just before the sun sets I go out to check the feed dishes and the sizes of their crops to determine if they need more feed or not (aka "second feeding"). I frequently add any or all of the following to their feed: probiotics, hot pepper flakes, cinnamon, any variety of fresh or dried herbs. Once every 1-2 weeks their second feeding is comprised of scratch plus extra black oil sunflower seeds, which they LOVE.

My birds also get the leftover pulp from the fresh veggie/fruit juices I made every couple days, which may normally count as a treat but which I consider more of a fiber and vitamin boost since pasture is hard to grow and maintain here in the desert. This year I've also started growing pasture areas for them to indulge in as the plants allow. They can decimate the pasture in about 3 hours and it takes a full week or two for it to restore itself.

With chicks and "teenage" birds, I feed 24/7 to promote growth and hardiness. That way even the chicks that are lowest in the pecking order will always find food available to them as the more dominant birds finish, but I've found that providing feed 24/7 for adults simply results in obesity and diminished hardiness. I start all of my chicks out on gamebird feed that's very high in protein for the first two weeks.

I'm also a huge fan of supplements in their water. During periods of high stress especially, such as excessive heat, a shift in seasons or a heavy molt, I rotate the use of garlic in the water with fresh water, and then apple cider vinegar (ACV) once per week. If I begin to detect an increase in sneezing or anything else that seems out of norm, I add a few drops of oregano oil to their water for a day or two, and during heavy molt I add a vitamin supplement to the water.

Some of the ingredients that you have listed actually made me hungry and made my mouth water lol This read like a tasty menu to me at some points...what happy chickens you must have! I was wondering, you spoke of cinnamon? We have a Costco size tub of the stuff, which I love for cooking, but never thought of using it with the hens. What are the benefits, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[BlueBaby]

Not to get mushy, but I love you AZ folks. When questions and concerns are raised, you folks jump right in. Everyone has excellent ideas that work for their particular situations, and it makes my design options more difficult...LOL. I wanna do it right the first time, with some minor tweaks.

I was around chickens growing up on a farm in the 50's and 60's as a kid and was always fascinated by them, but have not "officially" owned my own, so that's why I've done extensive reading and joining this board years ago.

It's about to become a reality since the run is done. I can throw the coop up in a day since all the plans (constantly modified) are done.

Please keep your ideas and input rolling in because it helps me and other newbies, because raising chickens out here, whether for meat, eggs, pets etc., is a different ballgame than those raised in the extreme Northeast, Northwest, Midwest, way down in Florida.

I know that chickens are chickens and are adaptable, but the least we do since they are now domesticated critters, is to accommodate them to our regions so that we can reap the benefits that they provide.

Oh Lawd, didn't mean to go that deep. I just want to express my gratitude for all the information from the AZ folks. --BB

Bobby it's getting cooler weather now, especially in the evenings. Take a nice cup of coffee out to your backyard, sit down on your bench by the chicken place. Imagine what you want it to be as far as your own needs. Work from there.

 

[BlueBaby]

I eventually want to have something similar to he PVC pipe system you have shown. It appears to be bug, weather, and rodent proof. I have a galvanized feeder full of crumble food that I leave out all day. I have to place it up high at night because of the stupid pack rats. I am working on a way to hang it without using string. It is heavy when full.
Anyway, treats include seasonal fruits and veggies...I like to do refrigerated stuff like cucumber and watermelon when it's hot...plain no sugar yogurt, a little fruit, & their crumble mixed in like a parfait lol...I get creative. Pumpkin cut in half is always good. Also, there is a product at my local feed store called chickie garden picnic. It's got all kinds off seeds and herbs and protein sources like shrimp..kinda pricey but mashed up with a banana...they love it!

Some well made chain should handle being able to get your feeder up off the ground.

 

[K Has]

I have Easter eggers

Do you still have those Easter eggers? I need a dozen.
How much and where should I go to pick them up?
Thanks.

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, @K Has have you set those eggs that you got from me yet?