Arizona Chickens

[m1chelle1]

Please consider looking at the Green Valley area - I was there again recently and again have fallen in love with it. Truly is green and has possibilities that I don't even know about but dream of. Prescott and PV are higher in elevation so are cooler in summer and winter months. Some snow at times. More rain - it is beautiful and an easy drive to North Phoenix. We used to live in the Verde Valley - also beautiful and greener than the low or high desert. The drive is probably easy too although I don't remember how long any more. I'm thinking 2 hours. No sure where your sister is in PHX but that could make a difference. More folks will chime in because we have them all over the state! Enjoy!

wow! great, thank you for the tips! will def. look into green valley and verde valley areas!

 

[cactusrota]

Hello! AZ Residents, i need your help!!

My sister and brother in law live in Phoenix, and I am in the process of considering locations within 2 or so hours of Phoenix. I prefer the closer the better. My issue: i just dont understand how anyone in the "greater Phoenix area" can pasture raise their birds. Im from the pacific northwest, so i take things like rain and grass for granted, but i know that grass doesnt typically grow naturally in that area. Or am i wrong? And im not necessarily planning on planting normal "turf" or "grass" for my chickens, id want to plant useful vegetation (dandelions, clover, wild grasses, etc) forage that a chicken would like and eat in nature. But something that's Native to the Phoenix area. Im just drawing a huge blank on what can be done and am wondering what you all do? Something cost effective, im not into planting a bunch of grass and then having to water it 10 times a day to keep it alive, if you get what im saying. And im thinking a larger amount of chickens, so money would be a huge factor here. Any and all advice would be appreciated, im just at a loss as to how i would do this in that area!

I am also considering Prescott, Prescott Valley areas. I was told grass does grow naturally there, does anyone have any insight into this area too?? Same questions as above.

thanks all!!
M

I grew up in the Seattle area, and you are right in expecting living here to be way different. I learned alot through experimentation and much through others experiences. Prescott would be a great middle point where you can have the best of both worlds. Shade in the summer can make all the difference, whether it's shade cloth or trees. If you want to use trees be sure to research them as some popular trees here shed natural chemicals that prevents plants from growing underneath. Mulberries are good. Flood watering once a week is way more effective than sprinklers or soaker hoses as it encourages plants to grow deep roots.
The only people I know that free range their birds are those that don't mind losing a few to predators. Coyotes and bobcats can scale a 6' brick wall easily and are not limited to forests here, they are found in the middle of town. And stray dogs are always a problem. LGD's really are the way to go here. Great Pyranese, Anatolian Shepherds, or a well trained German Shepherd would do you well, especially if you get a decent sized property.

We have different kinds of weeds down here that are seasonal and can sometimes grow in abundance depending on that years rainfall, like Palmer Amaranth and London Rocket. When there is nothing green, I buy alfalfa/timothy pellets meant for horses and soak for ten minutes then give them that. They eat it right up. Bermuda grass is the kind of grass to have down here. It's drought tolerant and spreads by both seed and runner, bamboo style. I've got red clover and plaintain growing well in my garden that gets weekly flood watering in the summer. It takes stuff like that longer to establish here, but it can be done. Most everything that's native here is very seasonal, so you'd have to grow a wide variety of things to keep it green year round.

Hope that helps. We're here for ya!!

 

[m1chelle1]

I grew up in the Seattle area, and you are right in expecting living here to be way different. I learned alot through experimentation and much through others experiences. Prescott would be a great middle point where you can have the best of both worlds. Shade in the summer can make all the difference, whether it's shade cloth or trees. If you want to use trees be sure to research them as some popular trees here shed natural chemicals that prevents plants from growing underneath. Mulberries are good. Flood watering once a week is way more effective than sprinklers or soaker hoses as it encourages plants to grow deep roots.
The only people I know that free range their birds are those that don't mind losing a few to predators. Coyotes and bobcats can scale a 6' brick wall easily and are not limited to forests here, they are found in the middle of town. And stray dogs are always a problem. LGD's really are the way to go here. Great Pyranese, Anatolian Shepherds, or a well trained German Shepherd would do you well, especially if you get a decent sized property.

We have different kinds of weeds down here that are seasonal and can sometimes grow in abundance depending on that years rainfall, like Palmer Amaranth and London Rocket. When there is nothing green, I buy alfalfa/timothy pellets meant for horses and soak for ten minutes then give them that. They eat it right up. Bermuda grass is the kind of grass to have down here. It's drought tolerant and spreads by both seed and runner, bamboo style. I've got red clover and plaintain growing well in my garden that gets weekly flood watering in the summer. It takes stuff like that longer to establish here, but it can be done. Most everything that's native here is very seasonal, so you'd have to grow a wide variety of things to keep it green year round.

Hope that helps. We're here for ya!!

Wow, what an abundance of amazing and incredibly useful information! No joke, this is literally exactly what i am looking for. I was just at such a loss as how to accomplish free ranging in AZ. Yeah, gotcha about predators. Im no stranger to those. I have plans for livestock guarding animals and electric fencing, etc etc. So i get that they can be a problem. I wouldnt have them true "free ranging", it would be more "controlled" and they would be locked up every single night, for sure. You should see the get up i have for my chickens here in NC. I see about 50 hawks/falcons every single days and i cant have a rooster so ive got this netting set up, its nuts. I know ppl here who have had 20lb turkeys carried off....

Anywho. Thank you so much for the response and all of the useful information.

 

[DesertChic]

Hello! AZ Residents, i need your help!!

My sister and brother in law live in Phoenix, and I am in the process of considering locations within 2 or so hours of Phoenix. I prefer the closer the better. My issue: i just dont understand how anyone in the "greater Phoenix area" can pasture raise their birds. Im from the pacific northwest, so i take things like rain and grass for granted, but i know that grass doesnt typically grow naturally in that area. Or am i wrong? And im not necessarily planning on planting normal "turf" or "grass" for my chickens, id want to plant useful vegetation (dandelions, clover, wild grasses, etc) forage that a chicken would like and eat in nature. But something that's Native to the Phoenix area. Im just drawing a huge blank on what can be done and am wondering what you all do? Something cost effective, im not into planting a bunch of grass and then having to water it 10 times a day to keep it alive, if you get what im saying. And im thinking a larger amount of chickens, so money would be a huge factor here. Any and all advice would be appreciated, im just at a loss as to how i would do this in that area!

I am also considering Prescott, Prescott Valley areas. I was told grass does grow naturally there, does anyone have any insight into this area too?? Same questions as above.

thanks all!!
M

At the risk of sounding like a pessimist, I think you need to start by accepting that you will never be able to pasture your flock here in the desert the same way you can in lusher parts of the country. Throughout the year we do have native plants that grow well in accordance with seasonal precipitation, but they may not be sufficient to sustain even a small flock of birds. Right now the native mustard plants are growing strong and making my own chickens VERY happy, and the nearly indestructible Bermuda grass grows well with summer rains, again making for happy chickens. We also get things like wild plantain (though not as abundantly as other plants), wild amaranth, and a variety of desert wildflowers like lupine, calendula and poppies, but even with all of that the word "lush" never really applies here. I work VERY had to supply my birds with fresh grains, planting small pasture areas of clover, alfalfa, oat, wheat and a variety of sprouting greens (broccoli, radish, sunflower...) as well as planting things like kale for my birds during the cooler season before the heat sets in to make it bolt. I've had to grow most of the chicken greens in a separate garden area so I can cut it and ration it accordingly. Otherwise they'll completely destroy my entire garden in under three hours. (Yes, I know this for a fact.) And when we weed whack other parts of our property I always gather up the clippings and pile in up in various areas for the birds to enjoy.

I also grow heat loving plants like Armenian cucumbers in abundance during the scorching summers. I always get way more than my family and I can eat and toss the extras to the chickens, often chilled in the fridge first to help them combat the heat. Malabar spinach is another plant that once established grows exceedingly well in our desert heat in well composted soil and will provide a lot of tasty greens for both you and the birds. You'll need to trellis is somehow for best results though. The plant can become invasive on minimal water once established.

You also need to be keenly aware of the insect population out here. Fire ants are my number one complaint. My mature chickens pretty much avoid them with minimal complication, but those ants can quickly kill off chicks. Scorpions and centipedes may be a problem, but nearly all of my birds have adapted to see them as treats and consume them with relish. You may also have 'problems' with bees that hang out is substantial numbers around water containers. The chickens are typically smart enough to avoid them and I just place extra water containers to make up for the ones dominated by bees.

During wetter seasons you may be aghast at the number of roaches that appear. Don't fret! Chickens LOVE them, and I've trained mine to recognize that a low container left in place and then lifted up on cue will provide them with great fun and free protein as they chase those nasty little bugs around. It's pretty hilarious to watch. Two of my hens actually follow me around the yard to the areas where roaches are most likely to hide out in the daylight and wait for me to deliver their favorite treats. They're fearless little hunters!

You birds will also occasionally find small snakes, rodents, frogs and lizards out here, which makes for great entertainment for you and good nutrition for them. Watching them play "keep-away" while simultaneously bragging about what they have is downright hilarious, though watching their treats get pulled to shreds can be a bit gruesome.

Anyway, welcome and good luck!

 

[DesertChic]

@BlueBaby - I really don't know but seems like the syringe and epsom salt water is what @DesertChic is talking about.

I guess I dropped the ball on this one. I'd just Googled the topic when I needed it and never really thought about checking back to provide more detail. Sorry about that.

 

[m1chelle1]

At the risk of sounding like a pessimist, I think you need to start by accepting that you will never be able to pasture your flock here in the desert the same way you can in lusher parts of the country. Throughout the year we do have native plants that grow well in accordance with seasonal precipitation, but they may not be sufficient to sustain even a small flock of birds. Right now the native mustard plants are growing strong and making my own chickens VERY happy, and the nearly indestructible Bermuda grass grows well with summer rains, again making for happy chickens. We also get things like wild plantain (though not as abundantly as other plants), wild amaranth, and a variety of desert wildflowers like lupine, calendula and poppies, but even with all of that the word "lush" never really applies here. I work VERY had to supply my birds with fresh grains, planting small pasture areas of clover, alfalfa, oat, wheat and a variety of sprouting greens (broccoli, radish, sunflower...) as well as planting things like kale for my birds during the cooler season before the heat sets in to make it bolt. I've had to grow most of the chicken greens in a separate garden area so I can cut it and ration it accordingly. Otherwise they'll completely destroy my entire garden in under three hours. (Yes, I know this for a fact.) And when we weed whack other parts of our property I always gather up the clippings and pile in up in various areas for the birds to enjoy.

I also grow heat loving plants like Armenian cucumbers in abundance during the scorching summers. I always get way more than my family and I can eat and toss the extras to the chickens, often chilled in the fridge first to help them combat the heat. Malabar spinach is another plant that once established grows exceedingly well in our desert heat in well composted soil and will provide a lot of tasty greens for both you and the birds. You'll need to trellis is somehow for best results though. The plant can become invasive on minimal water once established.

You also need to be keenly aware of the insect population out here. Fire ants are my number one complaint. My mature chickens pretty much avoid them with minimal complication, but those ants can quickly kill off chicks. Scorpions and centipedes may be a problem, but nearly all of my birds have adapted to see them as treats and consume them with relish. You may also have 'problems' with bees that hang out is substantial numbers around water containers. The chickens are typically smart enough to avoid them and I just place extra water containers to make up for the ones dominated by bees.

During wetter seasons you may be aghast at the number of roaches that appear. Don't fret! Chickens LOVE them, and I've trained mine to recognize that a low container left in place and then lifted up on cue will provide them with great fun and free protein as they chase those nasty little bugs around. It's pretty hilarious to watch. Two of my hens actually follow me around the yard to the areas where roaches are most likely to hide out in the daylight and wait for me to deliver their favorite treats. They're fearless little hunters!

You birds will also occasionally find small snakes, rodents, frogs and lizards out here, which makes for great entertainment for you and good nutrition for them. Watching them play "keep-away" while simultaneously bragging about what they have is downright hilarious, though watching their treats get pulled to shreds can be a bit gruesome.

Anyway, welcome and good luck!

thank you for all of the wonderfully amazing advice! Its ok, ill take pessimism and realism! I want the reality of what it would be like, and i feel like youve painted a great picture about that. Yes, i did realize that free ranging and pasture feeding birds in Az would be very different than in WA or NC. I just was curious if it at all is possible, or if any natural arizona native forage can exist for them. Just never seen anything much other than some planted trees and mostly cactus, so wasnt very sure. Thanks again!

 

[BlueBaby]

I guess I dropped the ball on this one. I'd just Googled the topic when I needed it and never really thought about checking back to provide more detail. Sorry about that.

I hope that she can find out in case it happen's to another one of her silkies. Matilda passed on, so it's too late for her.

 

[FeatherPugs]

@Michelle Guynn so sorry about Matilda. Sometimes we just don't know. Sending hugs

 

[igorsMistress]

At the risk of sounding like a pessimist, I think you need to start by accepting that you will never be able to pasture your flock here in the desert the same way you can in lusher parts of the country. Throughout the year we do have native plants that grow well in accordance with seasonal precipitation, but they may not be sufficient to sustain even a small flock of birds. Right now the native mustard plants are growing strong and making my own chickens VERY happy, and the nearly indestructible Bermuda grass grows well with summer rains, again making for happy chickens. We also get things like wild plantain (though not as abundantly as other plants), wild amaranth, and a variety of desert wildflowers like lupine, calendula and poppies, but even with all of that the word "lush" never really applies here. I work VERY had to supply my birds with fresh grains, planting small pasture areas of clover, alfalfa, oat, wheat and a variety of sprouting greens (broccoli, radish, sunflower...) as well as planting things like kale for my birds during the cooler season before the heat sets in to make it bolt. I've had to grow most of the chicken greens in a separate garden area so I can cut it and ration it accordingly. Otherwise they'll completely destroy my entire garden in under three hours. (Yes, I know this for a fact.) And when we weed whack other parts of our property I always gather up the clippings and pile in up in various areas for the birds to enjoy.

I also grow heat loving plants like Armenian cucumbers in abundance during the scorching summers. I always get way more than my family and I can eat and toss the extras to the chickens, often chilled in the fridge first to help them combat the heat. Malabar spinach is another plant that once established grows exceedingly well in our desert heat in well composted soil and will provide a lot of tasty greens for both you and the birds. You'll need to trellis is somehow for best results though. The plant can become invasive on minimal water once established.

You also need to be keenly aware of the insect population out here. Fire ants are my number one complaint. My mature chickens pretty much avoid them with minimal complication, but those ants can quickly kill off chicks. Scorpions and centipedes may be a problem, but nearly all of my birds have adapted to see them as treats and consume them with relish. You may also have 'problems' with bees that hang out is substantial numbers around water containers. The chickens are typically smart enough to avoid them and I just place extra water containers to make up for the ones dominated by bees.

During wetter seasons you may be aghast at the number of roaches that appear. Don't fret! Chickens LOVE them, and I've trained mine to recognize that a low container left in place and then lifted up on cue will provide them with great fun and free protein as they chase those nasty little bugs around. It's pretty hilarious to watch. Two of my hens actually follow me around the yard to the areas where roaches are most likely to hide out in the daylight and wait for me to deliver their favorite treats. They're fearless little hunters!

You birds will also occasionally find small snakes, rodents, frogs and lizards out here, which makes for great entertainment for you and good nutrition for them. Watching them play "keep-away" while simultaneously bragging about what they have is downright hilarious, though watching their treats get pulled to shreds can be a bit gruesome.

Anyway, welcome and good luck!

This is a very realistic description of how chickens free range in the desert. Along with a few suggestions on when to grow a few things. We love those Armenian cukes and the chickens do too.

I hope that she can find out in case it happen's to another one of her silkies. Matilda passed on, so it's too late for her.

Ah shoot, that's yoo bad!

@Michelle Guynn. I'm so sorry you lost Matilda

 

[m1chelle1]

This is a very realistic description of how chickens free range in the desert. Along with a few suggestions on when to grow a few things. We love those Armenian cukes and the chickens do too.



Ah shoot, that's yoo bad!

@Michelle Guynn. I'm so sorry you lost Matilda

thanks so much! Do you think it would be easier/more realistic to grow more of these seasonal and year round "greens" or chicken forage items at higher elevations like Prescott/Sedona areas? Looking to get a better gauge on high desert v low desert realities.