Arizona Chickens

[CaroleW]

Hi, an Arizonian here in the ghost town of Pearce. When the temperature gets above 85, my free-range flock takes a siesta around 10:30-11 in their coop. This is for heat relief but also to give their guardian, my German Shepherd, a break to come inside the house and get cool, too!
At first I herded them but now they just go--because I have a small swamp cooler blowing right in their window at chicken height! They love it and voluntarily take their nap inside even though my lawn and covered porch have plenty of shade, breeze, and water bowls. Some lay on the cool sand floor and some roost. If they want their feathers gently ruffled by the cool air (most do), they get right in front of the cooler. If not, they can find a less breezy spot on either side.
The model is a Hessaire MC18M and can be manually filled or hooked to a hose. It costs between .04 and .09 cents an hour to run. I like it better than misters because it cools very nicely yet nothing actually gets wet.
View attachment 2748501

That is such a nice indoor coop setup - it is in your garage or carport, I guess?

 

[LouiseCampbell]

Thanks! They are pretty, but I'm not seeing any Leghorns girls there.

You're welcome. I have a number of hens - white, black, brown, red and some multi-colored; but don't honestly know what specific breed they are. They've been here as pets, pest control and egg layers, so not a sophisticated set up. lol
I'm just looking to give them to someone who can accommodate them. Thank you.

 

[Outta Here]

That is such a nice indoor coop setup - it is in your garage or carport, I guess?

Thank you! Yes, I built an indoor side and an adjoining outdoor side on the wall of our shop. I absolutely love it because it's so easy to clean and I can just reach across the half wall to pet the chickens on their roosts. Very often they hop onto the wall from their roost to get closer petting! Here's the post I wrote on this whole setup....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-favorite-chicken-house-ever.1468454/
and here are the chickens hopping to greet me in the morning...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-favorite-chicken-house-ever.1468454/page-3#post-24567887

 

[Coffee N Chickens]

My hatch just went into lockdown. It looks like 4 good eggs and one maybe. Fingers crossed!

 

[BlueBaby]

Hi, an Arizonian here in the ghost town of Pearce. When the temperature gets above 85, my free-range flock takes a siesta around 10:30-11 in their coop. This is for heat relief but also to give their guardian, my German Shepherd, a break to come inside the house and get cool, too!
At first I herded them but now they just go--because I have a small swamp cooler blowing right in their window at chicken height! They love it and voluntarily take their nap inside even though my lawn and covered porch have plenty of shade, breeze, and water bowls. Some lay on the cool sand floor and some roost. If they want their feathers gently ruffled by the cool air (most do), they get right in front of the cooler. If not, they can find a less breezy spot on either side.
The model is a Hessaire MC18M and can be manually filled or hooked to a hose. It costs between .04 and .09 cents an hour to run. I like it better than misters because it cools very nicely yet nothing actually gets wet.
View attachment 2748501

Hello, and welcome! I see that you joined BYC's on my birthday. Nice to meet you, and I like your set up in the picture!

 

[BlueBaby]

My hatch just went into lockdown. It looks like 4 good eggs and one maybe. Fingers crossed!

I hope that it goes well for you!

 

[springvalley123]

My hatch just went into lockdown. It looks like 4 good eggs and one maybe. Fingers crossed!

Fingers crossed for you and the 4 +1 eggs!

 

[Parront]

My hatch just went into lockdown. It looks like 4 good eggs and one maybe. Fingers crossed!

Good luck with the hatch!

 

[Parront]

True! I have an abundance of eggs and give them to all who are interested. We can't keep up with the volume my girls produce, so friends and family appreciate them too. I have a couple of kennels and have definitely considered that. I appreciate the suggestions! I may have to get creative, as a 27 hour journey with any is quite the undertaking. Ugh.

If I were to make such a trek, not all of my birds would make the cut! The 3 or 4 best, (maybe those ones lacking feathers) sell the rest. I am always happy to order more chicks!

 

[springvalley123]

If I were to make such a trek, not all of my birds would make the cut! The 3 or 4 best, (maybe those ones lacking feathers) sell the rest. I am always happy to order more chicks!

yes ordering chicks is so fun! for however many years from now my next flock will be, I'd either try to get the desert-raised heat tolerant birds (who would probably accept younger flock mates later if done appropriately), or a "surprise" assortment, where each day/week would be like Christmas, as the chicks developed and I could play guess the breed/sex.