Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

What do ya’all use to keep the wild bird’s out? Post photo’s please.... I can tell you what doesen’t Work.. fake huge black crow’s, lying dead, hanging in the tree’s.. Plastic hawks, moved them around in different positions every day for 2 week’s, finally gave up.. . Bird netting over everything. Hanging those plastic eyeball things. Gosh we must get anywhere from 30-50 wild bird’s through most of the day.. now that I re-enforced the bird netting I have to go out & rescue them 3-5x a day.. I was hoping that our duck flock would run them off, NOPE, there like “come on in & enjoy our food!”

 

[City farm]

@City farm It's good to see you popping in here again. How is your flock doing?

Hello, awesome.. Cheryl our 5 year-old silky was broody for two days then we put six BBS, BBS/EE babies under her. She did great and they’re growing. One of our Muskovy‘s Silvis is Broody right now. I went in took the eggs out and given her lov’n while she’s trying to sit on the nest, it’s breaking her, since she doesn’t like to be pet.. I don’t want them sitting out in the heat thinking they will have some babies to raise.. no more babies..

 

[BlueBaby]

What do ya’all use to keep the wild bird’s out? Post photo’s please.... I can tell you what doesen’t Work.. fake huge black crow’s, lying dead, hanging in the tree’s.. Plastic hawks, moved them around in different positions every day for 2 week’s, finally gave up.. . Bird netting over everything. Hanging those plastic eyeball things. Gosh we must get anywhere from 30-50 wild bird’s through most of the day.. now that I re-enforced the bird netting I have to go out & rescue them 3-5x a day.. I was hoping that our duck flock would run them off, NOPE, there like “come on in & enjoy our food!”

I don't have any duck's so I'm not experienced in those. I do not free range my flock. I used to have a bunch of those doves and tweety birds that would slip though my 2" x "4 welded wire to steal the feed, but since I place the chicken wire over the top og that, only the smallest tweety birds slip through that now. I guess that to keep them all out, that 1/4" hardware cloth wire would have been the best to have used.

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, awesome.. Cheryl our 5 year-old silky was broody for two days then we put six BBS, BBS/EE babies under her. She did great and they’re growing. One of our Muskovy‘s Silvis is Broody right now. I went in took the eggs out and given her lov’n while she’s trying to sit on the nest, it’s breaking her, since she doesn’t like to be pet.. I don’t want them sitting out in the heat thinking they will have some babies to raise.. no more babies..

I noticed that you mentioned the BBS/EE. Are the BBS being used silkie? I believe those are how someone was developing the one's that they are calling a Chicquita and are breeding those up in Scottsdale. I seen a splash one pictured before and was impressed! Beautiful bird!

 

[meetthebubus]

I agree with @BlueBaby hardware cloth 360 would be the only thing
Hunger is a powerful drive for wild animals, they knowingly risk their lives to get in to places that have food, including the bird seed section at your local Wal-Mart

I found that they would rather not enter my 360 if I put feed out behind, so rabbits stopped trying to dig in, most birds kept out bc they had access to the leftover feed of the day out in the open where they could easily escape

I now have all sorts out in that area feeding, and now only the prairie dogs are our inside enemy

 

[meetthebubus]

Great, now Augie is acting strange. No breathing problems or anything just acting morose and standing and sleeping I brought her into the hospital brooder and after some hugs from me she sat on the perch and startedsleeping

So maybe the heats getting go her, maybe lack of vitamins they have homemade electrolytes in the water but I guess I'll administer it to her directly a long with some yogurt

I've been taking care of chickens for over 2 yrs and never dealt with any sickness

 

[FeatherPugs]

I know how you feel. Lethargic or just getting through the heat? You really have to watch them. I never had to deal with sickies much either in the many years I've been chicken farming but this year and last year I've had lots to deal with. Makes me wonder if the ground you use for your "yard" area gets contaminated after a while because of poop and all that goes with it. I'm cleaning poop all the time but you never get it all. Just a wonderment. Problems arise when wildlife come into your yard area I know but they deal with wildlife if they free range so I don't fight it hard. I do make it hard to eat the feed and I do throw feed on the other side of the fence. So as soon as we get some rains and mosquitos I expect my new girls to get dry fowl pox. Generally never fails. Oh well, I get up happy to go out to feed them and watch them play before it gets hot and after it starts to cool in the evening. I guess I'll take it as it comes! Tonight we have wet feed and oregano! It already 109 a little after 1pm! Bring it on!!

 

[meetthebubus]

@FeatherPugs I know what you mean, I think this whole week is going to be a challenge with this heat

I bring in New wheelbarrows of fresh dirt often, but you are right its not possible to clean it 100 percent

Often as I shovel out the dirty piles I see fresh droppings so there's never that ' ok its clean' look

 

[BlueBaby]

All of mine seem to be holding up ok over here. I do have one NN pullet that has started getting greedy? When I go in to feed them, she jumps up trying to be the first to the food.

 

[meetthebubus]

She sounds like a smart one, and the boss lol