Arizona Chickens

[Geranium]

I lost one of my Buff Orpingtons today. Found her dead in the run this morning. And that was after rescuing one of my Australorps from possible heat stroke yesterday. It's going to be a long, long summer. I've got shade, water, ice, frozen treats, all the things.

 

[BlueBaby]

I lost one of my Buff Orpingtons today. Found her dead in the run this morning. And that was after rescuing one of my Australorps from possible heat stroke yesterday. It's going to be a long, long summer. I've got shade, water, ice, frozen treats, all the things.

Sorry that you lost one of your hen's. Maybe you could also try putting up a misting system in a shady area for them? You could put it on a timer if you need to, so that it would be set up to go off at the time of day that it would be most needed for them?

 

[starri33]

I lost one of my Buff Orpingtons today. Found her dead in the run this morning. And that was after rescuing one of my Australorps from possible heat stroke yesterday. It's going to be a long, long summer. I've got shade, water, ice, frozen treats, all the things.

Sorry to hear about your hen.. I'm in the middle of extending the shade area and putting up misters. One in the old run section and one in the new. it's started getting really hot and the hottest part of the summer isn't here yet. I've been watching them and they are all walking around with their wings held out and panting. I make sure they have plenty of water, have a pan where they can stand in it. if I can figure out where to put it, I might get them a kiddie pool.

 

[starri33]

Oh I just about guarantee if you can just raise them until they lay their first egg you could probably sell them for up to $10 each. Laying hens, no matter the breed, will sell. About $10 each is the max for mixed breed though. People really like "point of lay" pullets because they know they aren't old/spent hens. I have found I can sell any hen that's 1 year old or less for that much. No matter the breed. I usually sell mixed ones for $5 each, though.
You can't even give away roosters.

I've been hatching for free for people, they pick them up and raise them, no guarantee of sex.. I might have to look at raising them. I know with the increase of flock I am going to have to start charging for my eggs to pay for their eating habits..lol.. getting ready to leave and go by a friends to get some of his eggs for hatching, he has Easter Eggers, I don't care about the color of the egg, would just be nice to get some different ones.

 

[FeatherPugs]

@Geranium Sorry about the girls. Heat is horrid for us and it is getting hotter. I have some old girls 5-6-7 and it will be so hard of them I'm sure. AND like you I have copious amounts of shade, water pans, frozen bottles and whatever else will work - sometimes the elder girls just can't make it. BUT the NN are just scooting around enjoying the sun!

 

[BlueBaby]

@FeatherPugs My Naked Neck's are doing fine in it also. I have started mixing up my wet feed for them at night (adding chopped veggies, a few pullet sized egg's, and whatever else that happen's to be left that they can have) and putting it in a covered container in the fridge until the next day. That way they have a good healthy meal that help's get a bit extra water and it's a cold treat also for them.

 

[starri33]

Just went and picked up 12 eggs, suppose to be easter eggers, but I am not all that sure they are, there is only 1 egg that looks like it might be a olive green.. Which do you think would be better to order from Ebay or a Hatchery? I'd love to get the different colored eggs.

 

[cactusrota]

I do my own version of fermented feed this time of year. The wet feed helps them with the heat, and the fermentation makes the nutrients more bioavailable. Since it's more easily digestible that helps reduce both heat stress and any kind of mental stress. I just blend about 3 parts regular feed, 1 part scratch, 1 part alfalfa/bermuda pellets (sold for horses), and 1 part pond fish pellets for animal proteins. I make at least a third more than I use in a day so there's always a third left to get the fermentation going for the next day. Only difference is I don't keep it sloppy wet like the online directions tell you. It's too messy in my opinion, and unnecessary. I also leave it outside so the warmth can help the fermentation. They love it, and all my birds, including the fully feathered ones, do great on it. All healthy, and egg yokes are dark and firm.

 

[cactusrota]

Just went and picked up 12 eggs, suppose to be easter eggers, but I am not all that sure they are, there is only 1 egg that looks like it might be a olive green.. Which do you think would be better to order from Ebay or a Hatchery? I'd love to get the different colored eggs.

Ebay is more of a gamble. You don't know if you can trust the breeders, and since you can only get eggs you don't know if the PO is gonna play football with them in transit. I'm partial to Cackle Hatchery myself.

 

[SonoranChick]

I lost one of my Buff Orpingtons today. Found her dead in the run this morning. And that was after rescuing one of my Australorps from possible heat stroke yesterday. It's going to be a long, long summer. I've got shade, water, ice, frozen treats, all the things.

I’m so sorry Just know that you did everything you could have done. Our summers are brutal and I worry about them every year.