Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

OK, thanks. Since the majority of the shells are from Walmart eggs and they're all white so I can't tell the organic ones apart from the Walmart ones, I'll just toss them and stick to safer sources of calcium. Besides, I've been worrying about what someone might say if they came in and saw a jar of eggshells saved on the counter. Non-chicken people probably wouldn't understand.

In the old day's people saved the eggshell's for also adding to the mulch piles that would go into the garden's. I don't see where it would be a big deal to save them for the chicken's. Non-chicken people could get a lesson from you.

 

[igorsMistress]

OK, thanks. Since the majority of the shells are from Walmart eggs and they're all white so I can't tell the organic ones apart from the Walmart ones, I'll just toss them and stick to safer sources of calcium. Besides, I've been worrying about what someone might say if they came in and saw a jar of eggshells saved on the counter. Non-chicken people probably wouldn't understand.

I store my eggs in baskets I have hanging on the wall and there’s almost always egg shells drying on my counter. Non chicken people are either interested or think I’m weird but

 

[igorsMistress]

In the old day's people saved the eggshell's for also adding to the mulch piles that would go into the garden's. I don't see where it would be a big deal to save them for the chicken's. Non-chicken people could get a lesson from you.

Yup. I put boiled bones in my pile too.

 

[BlueBaby]

I store my eggs in baskets I have hanging on the wall and there’s almost always egg shells drying on my counter. Non chicken people are either interested or think I’m weird but

Yes, some might be interested in learning something new. Those that don't, well there's just no hope for them then.

 

[igorsMistress]

Yes, some might be interested in learning something new. Those that don't, well there's just no hope for them then.

True!

 

[CaroleW]

The roosters may fight, or they may not. Separate pens would ensure they don’t.

Yes, At least have a way to make separate pens if needed. You will always have a need for a separate pen for a variety of reasons... quarantine new potential flock member, hospital/recuperation pen, chicken jail for the feisty to cool off, waiting pen for culls...etc... and even more reasons if you are breeding and keeping track of different lines. Good to be thinking ahead and asking these questions, everyone benefits from the Q & A of more experienced flock keepers.

 

[CaroleW]

I live in the city so I haven’t seen any hawks at all, same for coyotes. The only predator I can really think of is a stray cat, but I suppose anything is possible.

There are hawks & coyote closer than you think even in Phoenix. I'm in Mesa almost in Tempe and I know we have both from time to time. Especially if you are anywhere near a trail system, canal, Salt River, or mountain reserves, the zoo or any parks you will be surprised what wildlife runs thru the neighborhoods and alleys and back & forth from those trails systems.

 

[CaroleW]

Oooh!! Do a quick search on natural backyard ponds.. there are lots of liner plans.. i did read one that recommended getting...i think goodyear?? Brand liner.. (one of the tire companies), it has a 20 year warranty.. i just keep the reef tank in mind as far as ratios go... i only had like 3 smallish reef fish, and the amount of "protein" aka urine i cleaned out daily was disgusting.. of course there wasnt enough plantlife to absorb that, so it had to go onto the toilet. But being outside where you can actually make it a functional pond.. gosh there are so many options!! You can separately establish plants too, so they are too big for the ducks to pull out early on. But other than rarely washing out your media, you could make it pretty hands off.

Ill take pics of my yard once my flowers come in, but initially i considered a natural pond w recirculating stream.. i am obsessed w dragon flies (i dont know why) so i wanted to make it perfect for them. But the area i have my flowers in is where id put my pond.. just a quiet peaceful place.. mini nature conservancy.

I think Weed 'em and Reap on YT built a natural pool with catfish or tilapia(?) with filter system after lots of research and pond owner interviews. They are in Gilbert (I think). Might be worth checking out to glean what you can from their example. They also have a variety of animals that may sometimes be in/near the pool and the humans swim in it too.

 

[CaroleW]

If anyone here need's a free 2021 chicken tracker to help them keep track of their chicken expenses, you can grab one. It's done up in excel spread sheet and there's a download for it here:

https://stewartcreeksomethings.com/chicken-tracker/

That's a nice expense/productivity tracker...Thanks for the link!

 

[CaroleW]

In the old day's people saved the eggshell's for also adding to the mulch piles that would go into the garden's. I don't see where it would be a big deal to save them for the chicken's. Non-chicken people could get a lesson from you.

I feed eggshells/broken/dirty egg omelets to all my animals and I also put them in the garden in greenhouse raised beds and compost them too and I still have more crushed eggshells in jars. I don't buy or feed commercial eggs or shells to anyone though.

I've got 23 eggs total for the first 2 days of the year. I shudder to think how many eggs I will get when the days get longer if this is what they are doing in dead of winter! Some have yet to begin laying!