Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

It is dang cold out there at feeding time. Clean roosts and put in extra straw/bedding for the cold. It is supposed to be in the 20s tonight for those girls. We had big frost this morning - 33 is what my thermometer said. The year before last I got too much sun at the Renaissance Festival - doesn't look to get warm for a bit yet! Stay warm friends.

I'm starting to wonder if we will even have a spring this year, or go directly from winter to summer?

 

[Happychi2019]

Just curious about what precautions you are taking for your chickens this week. Looking forward to getting chicks in the next few weeks.

 

[FeatherPugs]

@Happychi2019 That's a great question as we generally have very little of this type of cold weather. One or two days, maybe three. This year its been many, many and this week is even colder - I lost count at 12 freezing nights. I cover windows and such leaving the upper airflows free at night and take them off first thing in the am. I also feed a bit more corn product than usual - generally scratch. Plus I use bedding or straw on their poop boards and floors of the coops. This makes for a warmer coop. When I lived in AK we left the straw on the floor until spring so the barn was always warm for the chooks. I do not do the straw/bedding in the warm temperatures because of the heat factor. I also double check their water. Break the ice and bring a bit of hot water to add to the pans. Doesn't really take much time. I just wish we had more time where it dried up enough to clean more thoroughly!!

 

[BlueBaby]

Well, the silkie egg's that I ordered have been shipped and is in transit. Wish me luck that they don't arrive scrambled!

 

[Happychi2019]

Oh my goodness! Best of luck. I am afraid to order with all the cold going on. B

Best of luck. I’m such a chicken( pun intended) about ordering this time of year especially since I’m just learning about weather out here. You will have to send pictures of your cuties when they come!

 

[Happychi2019]

@Happychi2019 That's a great question as we generally have very little of this type of cold weather. One or two days, maybe three. This year its been many, many and this week is even colder - I lost count at 12 freezing nights. I cover windows and such leaving the upper airflows free at night and take them off first thing in the am. I also feed a bit more corn product than usual - generally scratch. Plus I use bedding or straw on their poop boards and floors of the coops. This makes for a warmer coop. When I lived in AK we left the straw on the floor until spring so the barn was always warm for the chooks. I do not do the straw/bedding in the warm temperatures because of the heat factor. I also double check their water. Break the ice and bring a bit of hot water to add to the pans. Doesn't really take much time. I just wish we had more time where it dried up enough to clean more thoroughly!!

Thanks for all the info. I keep hearing that phrase about an abnormally cold wet winter. I’m afraid we brought it with us from northern Oregon. Maybe next year will be calmer.

 

[FeatherPugs]

@Happychi2019 - can you feel it - I'm throwing frozen chicken poop at you!! Hahahaha! Who knows why or what causes stuff like this. We did have a cooler year than normal about 6 or 7 years ago (I think) but still nothing like this. I'm usually out of pants and into capris by now!

 

[Michelle Guynn]

I know and now all this rain we are suppose to get. I’m not sure I’ll make it to work tomorrow if the rain starts sooner than later.

 

[Happychi2019]

I know and now all this rain we are suppose to get. I’m not sure I’ll make it to work tomorrow if the rain starts sooner than later.

We are expecting more snow this time than last. I’m so glad I waited ( impatiently ) to get those chicks. Would probably get a bit crowded in this little trailer between us, 3 dogs and a pile of chicks. Lol

 

[Happychi2019]

@Happychi2019 - can you feel it - I'm throwing frozen chicken poop at you!! Hahahaha! Who knows why or what causes stuff like this. We did have a cooler year than normal about 6 or 7 years ago (I think) but still nothing like this. I'm usually out of pants and into capris by now!

Missed Looking forward to that nice weather again.