Arizona Chickens

[Parront]

I bet if I really wanted to make something similar to that, I could make it much cheaper. Maybe could make it out of wood?

But, how could you make your sign have 5 toes?

 

[BlueBaby]

But, how could you make your sign have 5 toes?

Add one or paint it on.

 

[igorsMistress]

Good morning AZ. We were at the dog park at 0530, got to get it done first thing this time of year. There were some clouds around and a decent breeze so it wasn't too bad. Came home before it got hot and did the outdoor chores. @starri33 it has been pretty gross outside! That chick...it messes with my eyes too! Interesting though. I go out first thing in the AM to let the birds out, throw scratch and fill waterers. Around 4 I go out and add ice to their water and the pools, maybe offer a cool treat; today they're getting a cucumber. Stay cool and healthy everyone!

 

[BlueBaby]

My next door neighbor came over and picked out the 2 pullet's that she want's from me, so there are still 5 more out there that are available.

 

[AngBantamLuv]

Cleaning day is done. Good riddance. I can't even blame the chickens. Its the stupid Arizona dust that will be back in 2 days. I ordered a super duper air purifier.. but wanted to change my AC filters before i clogged that one up w the recirculating nasty dust. BUT I am tired.

However, this time around when I changed out the litter (I use pine horse pellets expanded with water), I added the nice herbal medley that I made yesterday for their dust bath. I got a lot more rosemary from my plant outside, then basil and oregano. No more rose petals available, unfortunately. I ground it up in the mortar (actually a molcajete) and then sprinkled that on the top of all the bedding when I was done. The whole house smells so nice! So that will be my new thing I do. The chicks seem to really like it too, they try to pick at the little spices, and seem more relaxed.

 

[drswann]

Still in research mode, and probably wont be living on our Northern AZ land for another year or so & we'll only be able to have a maximum of 5 hens. We can't have chickens where we are at in Mesa, but that hasn't stopped me from researching good egg laying hens that are also family friendly. I'd like the kiddos to be very hands on.

I've narrowed it down to these 4 so far. I'd love to get everyone's opinion on these.

Plus, does anyone currently have Lavender Orpingtons? There is no way they are quite that color, right?

Buff Orpingtons
Lavender Orpingtons
Australorps
Faverolle

 

[Parront]

Still in research mode, and probably wont be living on our Northern AZ land for another year or so & we'll only be able to have a maximum of 5 hens. We can't have chickens where we are at in Mesa, but that hasn't stopped me from researching good egg laying hens that are also family friendly. I'd like the kiddos to be very hands on.

I've narrowed it down to these 4 so far. I'd love to get everyone's opinion on these.

Plus, does anyone currently have Lavender Orpingtons? There is no way they are quite that color, right?

Buff Orpingtons
Lavender Orpingtons
Australorps
Faverolle

Welcome to Northern AZ! Where are you moving? For a first flock that is kid friendly you can hardly go wrong with Orpingtons! I have never had the lavender variety, but Buff Orpingtons are very calm, and used to let my kids manhandle them. They can handle the heat well enough here, I do not think people in Phoenix area can keep them very well. The are also ok with snow that we get here in Prescott.
Edit to add: I would like to recommend a sex-linked layer, also. My daughter in San Diego had red sex-links for her first flock because she could not keep a rooster and she did not want to have to get rid of one of them like she had to when she was a kid. (We hatched out 10 chicks under a Buff Orpington, 7 roosters)!

 

[AngBantamLuv]

Well the dust bath got used! But not the way i was hoping. I forgot to put the cover back on and the turbo twin puppies decided to "dig" in it.

I was considering expanding the little coop/run for the chickies, but they don't even come out when i leave their door open, beyond 5 mins max, and they don't use the whole coop as it is. They only seem to want to stay in the same 1sq ft area and trill and cluck and chirp to each other. I'll wait to see if they seem to need more space as they get older.

 

[drswann]

Welcome to Northern AZ! Where are you moving? For a first flock that is kid friendly you can hardly go wrong with Orpingtons! I have never had the lavender variety, but Buff Orpingtons are very calm, and used to let my kids manhandle them. They can handle the heat well enough here, I do not think people in Phoenix area can keep them very well. The are also ok with snow that we get here in Prescott.
Edit to add: I would like to recommend a sex-linked layer, also. My daughter in San Diego had red sex-links for her first flock because she could not keep a rooster and she did not want to have to get rid of one of them like she had to when she was a kid. (We hatched out 10 chicks under a Buff Orpington, 7 roosters)!

Hi! We'll be up in Williams, near Valle. Thank you for the information. The Lavender's aren't recognized by the APA, and are considered rare but have been growing more popular.

We're not really interested in the roosters at this point unless we decide to breed, but who knows what the future holds.

I'll check into the sex-linked layer although being a newbie and a bit of a weirdo I honestly had to read that sentence twice and giggled. I grew up around boys...LOL

 

[AngBantamLuv]

she could not keep a rooster and she did not want to have to get rid of one of them like she had to when she was a kid.

@drswann
I second this.. we fell in love with our chicks much quicker than I thought we would, as everyone can attest from my postings. My daughter and i were very distressed with the prospect of giving up our birds (due to being males) after raising and bonding with them. Since you're getting full size chickens (you can't figure out whose who with bantams -miniatures), you might as well avoid the grief for your kids. Its very real.