Arizona Chickens

[Eggs4Sale]

The best vet is Dr. Halgo at Desert Vet. Clinic, from what I've heard. My mom takes her dogs and parrots there. She's too expensive for me, though. I take my dogs to Ironwood Vet. Clinic. I've had far fewer pet problems than my mom has had, though, so it's not fair to judge. But Dr. Halgo has the reputation of being the best locally.

Fleas and ticks are mild to none if you keep your animals clean. Since we're in the desert, there's not a great place for them to live unless you provide a dog or other critter. My mom got a flea problem but that's because my sister (who lives with her) refuses to use chemicals and they got out of hand. I've never lived anywhere here where fleas and ticks were more than an occasional problem.

 

[gaited horse]

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thank you i will pass this on to them

 

[Heelers&Chickens_OhMy]

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There are ways to get rid of fleas without chemicals. Dawn Dish soap is still a chemical but highly effective at killing fleas on a flea-ridden animal. My dogs are not on preventatives of any kind. I see the occasional tick during summer, but that's it. Cedar oil can be effective at repelling bugs as well. I'm in the phoenix burbs.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

I can't say everything she tried, but I know the biggest problem was that the yard was infested, so no matter how many times they washed the dogs, vacuumed the carpets, did whatever they did... they said the dogs would go outside and come back with more. I don't know. I suggested a blowtorch, but nobody bit. One thing we both tried was that natural clove-y thing at the grocery store that you squeeze between the shoulder blades and down the back. Whew-ee! Couldn't breathe around that dog for 3 weeks! Can't imagine how SHE felt! My own dog, I had a persistent flea problem with her, shortly after mom and sis came over and brought that darn dog of theirs with them. We finally got rid of the fleas by putting a flea collar on her for a few weeks. How low-tech can you get? I'm going to try the DE if i find fleas again.

 

[rufus]

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Years ago, we used to burn off the dead thatch of our bermuda grass lawns every winter. This really did a job on ticks and fleas.

If we did that now, we would end up in a lot of trouble. It still might be an option for people living in rural areas.

Rufus

 

[cap1717]

Hi, I am (another) central Phoenix back yard chicken keeper. Got 4 "girls" this spring, and expecting eggs in september. They are a real joy to watch, very amusing. I do use the ice blocks for cooling, tried a mister, but they hate it. Mom to 1 RIR, 1 bpr, 1 Ameracauna & one one gorgeous mixed breed (she is yellow and black)!

 

[cap1717]

Yes, I have the great (pleasure?) of working outdoors, year round! (horticulturist), so starting at 4:00 am for the duration. . . (up at 3:00, feed / water/ dogs, chooks, garden, at work by 4:00. . . .

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Waking up at 3 a.m.?

Rufus, the lady that used to own this house would go out with a butane deal and burn the tall dry bermuda along the chain link fence. I can't do that now, and the yellow stalks have created a sort of hedgerow (if 2 feet tall counts as a hedgerow!. Great for stopping blowing dust, but also great for illegals.

 

[cap1717]

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I do think the fire deparment would have something to say about that, if you did the butane torch thing! Bermuda grass is the most persistent weed we have here, I planted a very small patch of it for the chooks, but will need to keep a close eye on it to see that it doesn't get "out of hand"

 

[Eggs4Sale]

My husband would have something to say about that if I did the butane torch thing! We've got so many over-hanging tees that would catch fire, then catch fire to the house.

I hate bermuda, I and my kids are allergic to it. We are hoping the St. Augustine in the yard takes it over, but it probably won't. The bermuda is great for the cows, though, so every year we're out back saying "Grow, baby, grow!"