Arizona Chickens

[cactusrota]

Yes, that's my plan when I move them in the next day or two since they are approaching two weeks old this weekend. I have plenty extra scrap wood pieces and other things to elevate the waterers and feeder.

In the beginning I like to use a flipped terra cotta drip tray, the kind that usually go under a terra cotta planter. It has the right texture that it's easy for them to walk on. Then I might upgrade to an old pot like the kind you boil spaghetti noodles in to set the waterer on, or just switch to a waterer that can be hung. Sometimes I just turn the old pot over to just use for the food once they're big enough because it has high enough walls they can't kick the food out and make a mess. My brother just makes wood platforms to set the food and water on and they work great too. Sounds like that's what you're planning on.

 

[meetthebubus]

I had 3 mean roosters who were sweet then they starting biting, and became hortible. Roo was always super respectful of all humans, he NEVER wanted to be touched no matter his age but will eat out of my hand and has always been super gentle we have a undestanding don't pet him or touch him, and he'll eat out of our hand and never challenge or hurt us.

China who thinks she's a roo, she's getting meaner as she nears 2 yrs old, and coralled me or tried to and it made Roo mad and ran to defend me he's a sweetheart... except first thing in the morning when he chases his girls

 

[nicollee]

Hi guys, sorry I've been out of the loop for a while...trying to catch up on everyone's happenings and I wanted to chime in
@nicollee how is your chicken who was injured a week or so ago? Those pictures were so sad, but it sounds like there was some great advice on here. I hope she's doing better Chickens seem to be more resilient than I give them credit for..

Eileen is healing... but I may still have to release her at some point... She will never be able to live a "good" chickeny life style. The reason she was separated from the others was during hatching, it was too hot, and she apparently was damaged. She acts like a person who has cerebral palsy. We have heavily invested in her emotionally. and this is not a choice we will make lightly, we have tried all we can to help her. But if she can never get out of her cage.... what kind of a life is it for her...

 

[SonoranChick]

The good news is that they've began to identify you both as the one who feeds them, and as the familiar, friendly face they can trust. Giving them treats and feed from your hand too often can actually cause more problems than it will solve as they grow older. You don't want them to ONLY think of your hands as a source of food. If they do, then eventually every time you reach out in front of them they'll begin to attack your hand expecting it to contain food. Make sure you frequently put your hand in there without food and let them hop atop it, roost on it, etc. without getting food. Handle them frequently so they learn that being picked up and pet isn't frightening. It will build trust.

Also, just to prepare you, as they get to about 4 weeks of age, all chicks enter a rather flighty, skittish stage. Don't take it personally; it's just part of their natural development. As their wing feathers develop more and they begin testing them and their limits and even your sweetest, tamest birds can suddenly behave as if they're terrified of you. Be patient and calm, move slowly, sit still next to the brooder, speak softly....anything to exude calm. After a few weeks the affection will return and they'll begin to calm down. During this time you may find that the cockerels are the friendliest and most assertive of the flock, coming directly to you, settling into your hand, roosting next to you and hopping onto your shoulder or head, running up your arm....

Cockerels will go through another stage beginning as early as 8 weeks, often closer to 12 weeks in my experience, during which they may begin biting your hands and even challenging you. As those teenage hormones kick in they can get pretty rowdy. Some will grow out of it and become really good roosters. Others will turn aggressive. There are a lot of body language and psychological cues to indicate which way each may go, but it's far too much to type out and you'll develop your own instincts on the matter as you observe and spend more time with your birds. I just want you to be prepared for the normal "growing pains".

Such great advice...week 4-6 was the TERRIBLE TEENS for me.

 

[BlueBaby]

Well, I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and that no one got more stuffed than the turkey was!

 

[igorsMistress]

A 2x2 across the top of a corner with a piece of chain to hang the waterer. It's been almost a year, I'm still using this method in the coop even though the birds are older. Worked in the brooder once they started throwing raves while I was away.

 

[igorsMistress]

I had 3 mean roosters who were sweet then they starting biting, and became hortible. Roo was always super respectful of all humans, he NEVER wanted to be touched no matter his age but will eat out of my hand and has always been super gentle we have a undestanding don't pet him or touch him, and he'll eat out of our hand and never challenge or hurt us.

China who thinks she's a roo, she's getting meaner as she nears 2 yrs old, and coralled me or tried to and it made Roo mad and ran to defend me he's a sweetheart... except first thing in the morning when he chases his girls

I had a jerk the first time around. Hoping my new boy is nice like Roo!

 

[cactusrota]

A 2x2 across the top of a corner with a piece of chain to hang the waterer. It's been almost a year, I'm still using this method in the coop even though the birds are older. Worked in the brooder once they started throwing raves while I was away.

They do like to party, don't they?!?! Haha!

 

[nicollee]

Hi Everyone,

This is my "home grown" Aloha chicken breeding project - lovely spotted chickens
This project was started over 8 years ago to try and create "Swedish Flower Hens" in the US, before they were imported by Greenfire Farms
Alohas have been featured in Backyard Chickens magazine and on the TV show "Coop Dreams" but sadly I am still the one and only breeder and if my boyfriend has his way that will stop soon as well.

He would like for us to move out of state (to Hawaii) and travel more which means no more chicken breeding. Makes me really sad, as I've invested a lot of time and effort into creating this strain, and knowing it may very likely disappear forever in a few years really bums me out.

But I get my boyfriend's point, if nobody in 8 years has shown serious interest in breeding these, I guess I should take a hint already. He's tired of having the chickens get in the way of traveling.

Tons of pics on my Pinterest page here:

https://www.pinterest.com/alohachickens/aloha-chickens/

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NEVER EVER give up something you love for someone who is intolerant of your interests!!!!!
Everybody has their own loves and interests... DO NOT give up yours. NO one who loves you would ask you to give up something you have devoted so much time and dedication to.... Ask you to find help, and devote a bit of time to him, Yes; give it up, NO

I am surprised no one else has told you this.
These chickens are like your children, and no parent should have to abandon their "children"!

 

[Bobby Basham]

NEVER EVER give up something you love for someone who is intolerant of your interests!!!!!
Everybody has their own loves and interests... DO NOT give up yours. NO one who loves you would ask you to give up something you have devoted so much time and dedication to.... Ask you to find help, and devote a bit of time to him, Yes; give it up, NO

I am surprised no one else has told you this.
These chickens are like your children, and no parent should have to abandon their "children"!

Oh my...this sorta strikes a nerve with me. First off, no one should ask you to drop your interests so another can pursue theirs. That's selfishness on their part, disregarding your project of many years.

I've hardened over the years, and what it boils down to is...He is your Boyfriend, not your HUSBAND. Boyfriends come and go, and I'll leave it at that.