Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

@cavemanrich How have thing's been going up your way?

 

[cavemanrich]

@cavemanrich How have thing's been going up your way?

We are doing pretty good.. Getting ready for the Christmas gathering. We are all vaxed out,, including the 5year and older grandchildren.. DW and I got our boosters last week.
Our weather is very similar (slightly lower temps, and mucho winds) to what you are getting.. Its has been mild,,,,,,, but I know that is coming to an end. Not expecting a White Christmas,,,,,,, but I'm fine with that. Makes travel for everyone over the Holidays SAFER.
The snows will likely arrive in about 2 weeks.
My chickens are still in their outdoor coop,,,,, but in about 2 weeks,,, or when the snows/cold arrives, they will be in WINTER HOUSING , inside garage loft. There they have dry, and mild temps. I have a wood stove to warm up garage just to about 32°F on frigid days. Also provide 12 hours of light on a timer. Water in heated bowls,,, and feed available 24--7.
My banties would get freeze-dried if subjected to some cold extremes. We always get a cold snap that lasts about one to two weeks per winter.
My 3 LF chickens could tolerate that cold,,,, but they luck out because of the banties.
Currently I have only 6 chickens.
It is also easier for me to take care of them inside. I just make sure there is water and feed. No need to let them out in morning,,, and lock up in the eve.
With the days short now,, and getting dark is early,,, now we need to make sure we are home at dusk.
With everything on automatic inside garage loft, getting home is of no concern in the evening.

 

[BlueBaby]

We are doing pretty good.. Getting ready for the Christmas gathering. We are all vaxed out,, including the 5year and older grandchildren.. DW and I got our boosters last week.
Our weather is very similar (slightly lower temps, and mucho winds) to what you are getting.. Its has been mild,,,,,,, but I know that is coming to an end. Not expecting a White Christmas,,,,,,, but I'm fine with that. Makes travel for everyone over the Holidays SAFER.
The snows will likely arrive in about 2 weeks.
My chickens are still in their outdoor coop,,,,, but in about 2 weeks,,, or when the snows/cold arrives, they will be in WINTER HOUSING , inside garage loft. There they have dry, and mild temps. I have a wood stove to warm up garage just to about 32°F on frigid days. Also provide 12 hours of light on a timer. Water in heated bowls,,, and feed available 24--7.
My banties would get freeze-dried if subjected to some cold extremes. We always get a cold snap that lasts about one to two weeks per winter.
My 3 LF chickens could tolerate that cold,,,, but they luck out because of the banties.
Currently I have only 6 chickens.
It is also easier for me to take care of them inside. I just make sure there is water and feed. No need to let them out in morning,,, and lock up in the eve.
With the days short now,, and getting dark is early,,, now we need to make sure we are home at dusk.
With everything on automatic inside garage loft, getting home is of no concern in the evening.

Tuesday is the first day of winter, and it is also the shortest daylight hours of the year. Once that is past us, the day's will gradually get longer again.

 

[springvalley123]

Tuesday is the first day of winter, and it is also the shortest daylight hours of the year. Once that is past us, the day's will gradually get longer again.

I'm hoping that my one hen, who's recovered from molt with comb pinked up, is just waiting for solstice to pass...Then I'll have 3 laying again.

 

[BlueBaby]

I'm hoping that my one hen, who's recovered from molt with comb pinked up, is just waiting for solstice to pass...Then I'll have 3 laying again.

You only have 3 hen's?

 

[springvalley123]

You only have 3 hen's?

I have 4, but the one who's still molting, her comb is even paler....she's OK, just a very hard molt.

 

[BlueBaby]

I have 4, but the one who's still molting, her comb is even paler....she's OK, just a very hard molt.

Yes, it seems that each one is different in the way or how long that they molt. Are they all the same age?

 

[springvalley123]

Yes, it seems that each one is different in the way or how long that they molt. Are they all the same age?

yes, they all hatched about 10/20/20 and started laying this past march. the 3 molters are all midnight majesty marans andn the light/non molter is a barred rock that got mixed up in their bin/box at the store or hatchery.

 

[BlueBaby]

yes, they all hatched about 10/20/20 and started laying this past march. the 3 molters are all midnight majesty marans andn the light/non molter is a barred rock that got mixed up in their bin/box at the store or hatchery.

I still have 6 girl's here, but they were too young to molt this year and started laying egg's the end of last month. I also have my 5 Bielefelder girl's out in the grow-out pen. My plan is to sell those 6, plus rehome the Colored Dorking rooster. That way I can concentrate on just working with the Bielefelder's.

 

[springvalley123]

I still have 6 girl's here, but they were too young to molt this year and started laying egg's the end of last month. I also have my 5 Bielefelder girl's out in the grow-out pen. My plan is to sell those 6, plus rehome the Colored Dorking rooster. That way I can concentrate on just working with the Bielefelder's.

so you're not doing aloha or NN's, just bielefelders?