Arizona Chickens

[Happy Novogens]

For those of you who live in hotter parts of AZ, do you find your nest boxes get hot/stuffy in the summer if they have curtains? Do hens not want to use them in the summer, or does it not matter to them?

Our (planned) nest boxes are outside the coop, on the north side, under a shade panel, but otherwise exposed. I'm wondering if we should add vents or something to let the hot air escape.

I do not use curtains. I also created air space in the back so it isn't so "boxed in."
Attached is a pic from today... happened to catch my one silly girl who faces sideways. My other layer faces outward when laying.

 

[CaroleW]

Hi everyone! My babies are now fully feathered at 8 weeks. 2 questions:

1. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and put their nesting boxes up in their coop now, or wait until it's closer to when they'll lay eggs? They all roost high up at night. I don't know if they would start sleeping in the nest boxes if I put them in now...?
2. What are the benefits of having a rooster if you do not plan on hatching or breeding at all? Should we still have a rooster, or do we not need one if we just want eggs to eat?

I love having my ladies. First chickens for us and they are so fun to watch. Thank you guys for helping me get started and answering my questions. You guys are the best!

I would wait on the nest boxes until about 5 months (if your breed is supposed to start laying at 6 mos). -EDIT--- I would order them (or material to build) soon, but wait to install them OR cover up the openings so no access to them ---

You don't need roo to have eggs to eat. Roo benefits to me are a predator alert system for the hens. You only NEED a roo to get fertile hatchable eggs to produce chicks.Roosters could be a meat source for you (if you desire) or someone else.

If you get a mean roo (meaning human aggressive) it could be a serious injury danger to you or children. It is not easy to rehome a roo (especially a mean one) so you should assume it may become dinner for someone you are dealing with.

 

[BlueBaby]

Hi everyone! My babies are now fully feathered at 8 weeks. 2 questions:

1. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and put their nesting boxes up in their coop now, or wait until it's closer to when they'll lay eggs? They all roost high up at night. I don't know if they would start sleeping in the nest boxes if I put them in now...?
2. What are the benefits of having a rooster if you do not plan on hatching or breeding at all? Should we still have a rooster, or do we not need one if we just want eggs to eat?

I love having my ladies. First chickens for us and they are so fun to watch. Thank you guys for helping me get started and answering my questions. You guys are the best!

There are many different breed's out there and some of the breed's will start laying eggs sooner then other's, so when the best time to put the nesting boxes in there will depend on what breed or breed's that you have. Most wood is getting expensive now, but sometimes you can see some good find's in Craigslist. For example; in the free section you can find old cabinet's or dresser's. Even dresser drawer's can make for a nesting box. When I first started my flock, an old refrigerator drawer was the nesting box that they used. I'm just giving you a few idea's that can help make thing's easier on your wallet.

 

[Timbers Run]

I would wait on the nest boxes until about 5 months (if your breed is supposed to start laying at 6 mos). -EDIT--- I would order them (or material to build) soon, but wait to install them OR cover up the openings so no access to them ---

You don't need roo to have eggs to eat. Roo benefits to me are a predator alert system for the hens. You only NEED a roo to get fertile hatchable eggs to produce chicks.Roosters could be a meat source for you (if you desire) or someone else.

If you get a mean roo (meaning human aggressive) it could be a serious injury danger to you or children. It is not easy to rehome a roo (especially a mean one) so you should assume it may become dinner for someone you are dealing with.

Thank you! I already have a 3 nest box set-up we bought online. It rolls the eggs forward into a covered bin once laid. I'm sure you've seen them. Metal with the green bin lids. It is just a simple set of boxes. I have installed the frame but there are no bottoms to them right now so nothing to sit in. I just wanted to confirm my thought of waiting until closer to laying time. Ours are supposed to start laying at about 20 weeks per the hatchery info. They are only 8 weeks today. So maybe at 19 weeks I should put the bottoms on the boxes? Thanks!

 

[springvalley123]

My Mom said Wal-Mart in West Valley had 18 eggs for $9! If this is the new norm, I'm soo happy I have chickens! (Well... actually... I'd say I'm happy to have chickens regardless of the price of eggs, lol.)

For sure! I have six hens on just a quarter acre, but I decided not to pull a bunch of weeds, so the birds could forage! It does help the feed bill, and the eggs get nice deep color yolks.

 

[springvalley123]

Hi everyone! My babies are now fully feathered at 8 weeks. 2 questions:

1. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and put their nesting boxes up in their coop now, or wait until it's closer to when they'll lay eggs? They all roost high up at night. I don't know if they would start sleeping in the nest boxes if I put them in now...?
2. What are the benefits of having a rooster if you do not plan on hatching or breeding at all? Should we still have a rooster, or do we not need one if we just want eggs to eat?

I love having my ladies. First chickens for us and they are so fun to watch. Thank you guys for helping me get started and answering my questions. You guys are the best!

I put two of those plastic nest boxes on craigslist and have had no takers! If you can use two of them, feel free to PM me. I'm just off the I-17 at mile 262.

 

[cavemanrich]

I decided not to pull a bunch of weeds, so the birds could forage! It does help the feed bill, and the eggs get nice deep color yolks.

Just wanted to add this;
Greens provide natural minerals and calcium as well.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Just drove through quite the downpour on the I-10. Could barely see! Lightening flashes lighting up the sky like a non-stop light show.
Just finished unloading the car and the lights went out. Just got the candles lit and the electric came back on.

Looks like we're all getting plenty of rain around Phoenix.

 

[BlueBaby]

Just drove through quite the downpour on the I-10. Could barely see! Lightening flashes lighting up the sky like a non-stop light show.
Just finished unloading the car and the lights went out. Just got the candles lit and the electric came back on.

Looks like we're all getting plenty of rain around Phoenix.

I seen all of that going on from my home. Yes, there was a lightning show. My internet kept going in and out. I got all 3 mailboxes checked though along with feeding my flock plus the animals next door for my neighbor's that are on vacation again. All egg's were collected too. I got to try out my slogger's in the mud. I like them!

 

[igorsMistress]

For those of you who live in hotter parts of AZ, do you find your nest boxes get hot/stuffy in the summer if they have curtains? Do hens not want to use them in the summer, or does it not matter to them?

Our (planned) nest boxes are outside the coop, on the north side, under a shade panel, but otherwise exposed. I'm wondering if we should add vents or something to let the hot air escape.

I think nest boxes need ventilation, yes. The only nest boxes I’ve had that don’t seem to add to heat stress are the current ones. Anything without ventilation seemed to either be ignored, or the girls used them but sat in them panting like crazy. I am using a couple of large bins from Walmart that I cut vents in. There are long, narrow vents on both sides, holes drilled in the lids, and a large hole in front, smaller but substantial hole in the back. These are very popular and the girls argue over whose turn it is.

In my yard the sun hits everything on the north side for most of the day in summer. Since we all have a different set up, maybe watch where you get light and shade over the year and change it if necessary. Consider the breeze as well and try to take advantage of that as much as possible.