Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

My Barred Rocks seem rather laid back. I have one that insists on leaning against my hand while I clean out the food trough. It stands still while I pet it and make some soft sounds.

I have a mixed dozen: 3 Barred Rocks, 3 Black Australorps, 3 RIR and 3 Austra-Whites.

The BA's completely ignore me, I don't trust the RIR's because of one possibly mean one and rooster in that trio, the greedy Austra-Whites hang around like vultures, just pecking at my fork and not me. You push them away and they're right back up in your face.

Yes, those Austra-whites just always have to be first at the food all the time! They will fly up in your face. Those 2 that I had before I just called them partners in crime.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Yes, those Austra-whites just always have to be first at the food all the time! They will fly up in your face. Those 2 that I had before I just called them partners in crime.

I took that one Barred Rock out of the box and let it stand in my lap for a few minutes. I loved all over it, and it began making these strange sounds...almost sounded like a turkey-type of chirping/trill...just hard to describe. I gently put it back into the box and it walked off, but came back again when I spoke, and it made that little strange noise again. It stands at the edge of the box and just looks at me.

 

[BlueBaby]

I took that one Barred Rock out of the box and let it stand in my lap for a few minutes. I loved all over it, and it began making these strange sounds...almost sounded like a turkey-type of chirping/trill...just hard to describe. I gently put it back into the box and it walked off, but came back again when I spoke, and it made that little strange noise again. It stands at the edge of the box and just looks at me.

Maybe it was waiting for you to give it some more love?

 

[Bobby Basham]

Please say a prayer for our fellow chicken lovers in the Northeast, Maine, New Hampshire etc. With temps at -40, it's been a little rough on some folks in that region.

One couple had used a heat lamp to keep their adult birds warm, but the lamp burned out, and hubby went out to his work van and replaced it. Less than five hours later, 11 hens had died, leaving one huge, gorgeous roo.

Members jumped in from everywhere and it was determined that the new bulb was for commercial/heating food and it was TEFLON coated. The toxic gas from the heated bulb killed them. They didn't know and have been beating themselves up for it. Who reads a label on a light bulb?

On top of that, their house burned down and is currently being rebuilt. I believe they are living in a small trailer on the property for the time being.

They've already arranged to get about 10 hens for their only surviving roo in the next day or two.

We are so blessed to live in Arizona with our mild climate. I don't miss living back east in Pennsylvania.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Maybe it was waiting for you to give it some more love?

She replaced my little RIR buddy weeks ago, who completely ignores me. Other than the greedy Austra-Whites, she's right there next to my hand while cleaning the waterers and feeder. She doesn't try to peck or attack...she just stays close and won't run when I stroke her side and neck while nudging her out the way. She's just a pleasant pest while I'm doing the chores.

 

[FeatherPugs]

@BlueBaby All are well with those girls. The NN spent the night on the roost last night. All in a row, close together to stay warm. Yesterday they got out for a bit in the big fenced yard, a bit of dominance chasing from those lowest on the totem pole but was just fine. Today they weren't as interested in walking around. Because the one girl has such a red comb, I did put a nest in their pen. The younger sweet aussies are so quiet you have to look to make sure they are okay. My internet provider is still having problems getting service to me at something faster than dial-up (remember that!) so I'm not hitting the computer much right now. Hopefully by Monday- I'm betting it has something to do with the wet weather. Tonight they are roosting just fine. They now know when its feeding time - its okay and the NN girl comes over to talk with me as well. My DH calls the blue girl Gracie so I'm thinking that will stick. But that's as far as we've gotten for anything that seems to fit the bird! Here's NN checking out the food buckets! (its the only pic I've managed to get uploaded!) Well I guess not - dang internet!

 

[BlueBaby]

@BlueBaby All are well with those girls. The NN spent the night on the roost last night. All in a row, close together to stay warm. Yesterday they got out for a bit in the big fenced yard, a bit of dominance chasing from those lowest on the totem pole but was just fine. Today they weren't as interested in walking around. Because the one girl has such a red comb, I did put a nest in their pen. The younger sweet aussies are so quiet you have to look to make sure they are okay. My internet provider is still having problems getting service to me at something faster than dial-up (remember that!) so I'm not hitting the computer much right now. Hopefully by Monday- I'm betting it has something to do with the wet weather. Tonight they are roosting just fine. They now know when its feeding time - its okay and the NN girl comes over to talk with me as well. My DH calls the blue girl Gracie so I'm thinking that will stick. But that's as far as we've gotten for anything that seems to fit the bird! Here's NN checking out the food buckets! (its the only pic I've managed to get uploaded!) Well I guess not - dang internet!

I'm glad that the 4 girls are adjusting over there. The one with the redder comb will most likely start giving you some eggs soon. Gracie seem's a good name for the blue one. You've been wondering how the NN's would do in our heat, so now you have one to watch and see for yourself.

As far as your internet service being messed up maybe because of the wet weather, I can believe that. Remember my home phone was just messed up from it the other day. The phone company was stupid and put all of the boxes in the parts of the ground that is lower, so when it rains that's where all of the water runs to. They won't spend the money to fix the darn thing's neither.

 

[Diannastarr]

@FeatherPugs How are your 4 new girls doing today? Is the NN still on food bucket guard duty?

 

[Diannastarr]

I have a herd of those over here.

 

[Diannastarr]

I'm glad that the 4 girls are adjusting over there. The one with the redder comb will most likely start giving you some eggs soon. Gracie seem's a good name for the blue one. You've been wondering how the NN's would do in our heat, so now you have one to watch and see for yourself.

As far as your internet service being messed up maybe because of the wet weather, I can believe that. Remember my home phone was just messed up from it the other day. The phone company was stupid and put all of the boxes in the parts of the ground that is lower, so when it rains that's where all of the water runs to. They won't spend the money to fix the darn thing's neither.

O MAN is my inner net is sooooo messed up ,and no wet weather over here...?????