Arizona Chickens

[springvalley123]

We have something similar, still in the box. We plan to extend the sides out a bit and cover it with a marine tarp, that should last 6 mos. to a year in the desert. We'll have to replace all the chicken wire with hardware cloth and use the chicken wire just for a predator apron.

I don't think the chicken wire would hold up to that---reviewers said it was very thin--able to cut it with scissors etc, so maybe something thicker for an apron.

 

[BlueBaby]

I don't think the chicken wire would hold up to that---reviewers said it was very thin--able to cut it with scissors etc, so maybe something thicker for an apron.

I agree.

 

[ChicksnMore]

For my oldest coop run I bought a 10'x20' carport from Harbor freight $99 on sale) and covered the roof with metal sheeting. I added conduit pipe to the roof frame to give extra support for sheeting and used self tapping metal screws. I wrapped it in wire using rebar wire to tie the wire on. I also used T stakes to tie down the structure. Think it was pretty cheap for the strength and space it gives. It's rock solid ands held up for over ten years with no need for repairs.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Let me offer my thought.
I have chickens and children that I have very much concerns with. I have plenty of lawn, and weeds as well. I do fertilize my lawn,, but refuse to use Weed N Feed type. I use fertilized without herbicide. I also will stay away from Roundup as far as possible.
Other peeps can choose to do as they desire or are comfortable doing/living with. Then after long term use,, you can see the lawsuits that result from such products.
My recommendation,;; is a Weed Wacker. Gas or Electric or Battery operated. Your choice.
I have a gas model myself. Picture is not me, but machine is same as I have.
BTW,, I did try the propane torch method. Not worth a dander.

No lawn out here in the desert. Just weeds. It all depends on how much rain we get in winter. Here is what the weeds are looking like now. No big deal, right?

Looks easy enough to deal with... one would think. But multiply that over an acre+ and it becomes too much to do by hand. Unfortunately, if left alone, like we did a couple years back, it grows to look like this.. (photo from 2020)

And then to this... (also 2020) and with it come flies galore. It's one of those strange things of living out here. It also makes us wary of rattlesnakes hiding in there.

Most years it isn't an issue because of the lack of rain. But we know now we have to keep it under control when we do get the rains. When it got this prolific, we did use a weed wacker and even a lawn mower to get it down. After that, we started using weed killer while the weeds were still small (like they are now) to prevent it getting so bad.

But now we have chickens. Yesterday they found a rare dandelion and ate it down. Yay! I don't think they are too keen on the type of weeds we have the most of though. I was really, really hoping they would eat them up.

Oh, I should mention too that I usually put Preen (a pre-emergent) down if it's rainy. But I have not used it in the backyard for fear the girls would just eat it up. So that's probably exacerbating the issue.

Not sure what we'll do. Though it feels a little better to vent.

 

[azurbanclucker]

No lawn out here in the desert. Just weeds. It all depends on how much rain we get in winter. Here is what the weeds are looking like now. No big deal, right?
View attachment 3383837

Looks easy enough to deal with... one would think. But multiply that over an acre+ and it becomes too much to do by hand. Unfortunately, if left alone, like we did a couple years back, it grows to look like this.. (photo from 2020)

View attachment 3383843

And then to this... (also 2020) and with it come flies galore. It's one of those strange things of living out here. It also makes us wary of rattlesnakes hiding in there.

View attachment 3383852

Most years it isn't an issue because of the lack of rain. But we know now we have to keep it under control when we do get the rains. When it got this prolific, we did use a weed wacker and even a lawn mower to get it down. After that, we started using weed killer while the weeds were still small (like they are now) to prevent it getting so bad.

But now we have chickens. Yesterday they found a rare dandelion and ate it down. Yay! I don't think they are too keen on the type of weeds we have the most of though. I was really, really hoping they would eat them up.

Oh, I should mention too that I usually put Preen (a pre-emergent) down if it's rainy. But I have not used it in the backyard for fear the girls would just eat it up. So that's probably exacerbating the issue.

Not sure what we'll do. Though it feels a little better to vent.

that looks like "rent a goat or tortoise" territory

 

[BlueBaby]

No lawn out here in the desert. Just weeds. It all depends on how much rain we get in winter. Here is what the weeds are looking like now. No big deal, right?
View attachment 3383837

Looks easy enough to deal with... one would think. But multiply that over an acre+ and it becomes too much to do by hand. Unfortunately, if left alone, like we did a couple years back, it grows to look like this.. (photo from 2020)

View attachment 3383843

And then to this... (also 2020) and with it come flies galore. It's one of those strange things of living out here. It also makes us wary of rattlesnakes hiding in there.

View attachment 3383852

Most years it isn't an issue because of the lack of rain. But we know now we have to keep it under control when we do get the rains. When it got this prolific, we did use a weed wacker and even a lawn mower to get it down. After that, we started using weed killer while the weeds were still small (like they are now) to prevent it getting so bad.

But now we have chickens. Yesterday they found a rare dandelion and ate it down. Yay! I don't think they are too keen on the type of weeds we have the most of though. I was really, really hoping they would eat them up.

Oh, I should mention too that I usually put Preen (a pre-emergent) down if it's rainy. But I have not used it in the backyard for fear the girls would just eat it up. So that's probably exacerbating the issue.

Not sure what we'll do. Though it feels a little better to vent.

I don't like those weed's there that have the big leaves on them. The root's spread underground and pop up new weed's. You about have to dig those up to get those root's too.

 

[azurbanclucker]

I don't like those weed's there that have the big leaves on them. The root's spread underground and pop up new weed's. You about have to dig those up to get those root's too.

That's mallow. Tortoises LOVE mallow.

 

[BlueBaby]

That's mallow. Tortoises LOVE mallow.

I don't have any tortoises. There is a ton of that type of weed's over here and they are now at a height of at least 3 feet tall. I have noticed that the goat's and horse's in the area aren't even eating them. The chicken's don't like them neither. You could bring a trailer behind your vehicle down here and fill it up with what's over here. Free food for your tortoises!

 

[igorsMistress]

No lawn out here in the desert. Just weeds. It all depends on how much rain we get in winter. Here is what the weeds are looking like now. No big deal, right?
View attachment 3383837

Looks easy enough to deal with... one would think. But multiply that over an acre+ and it becomes too much to do by hand. Unfortunately, if left alone, like we did a couple years back, it grows to look like this.. (photo from 2020)

View attachment 3383843

And then to this... (also 2020) and with it come flies galore. It's one of those strange things of living out here. It also makes us wary of rattlesnakes hiding in there.

View attachment 3383852

Most years it isn't an issue because of the lack of rain. But we know now we have to keep it under control when we do get the rains. When it got this prolific, we did use a weed wacker and even a lawn mower to get it down. After that, we started using weed killer while the weeds were still small (like they are now) to prevent it getting so bad.

But now we have chickens. Yesterday they found a rare dandelion and ate it down. Yay! I don't think they are too keen on the type of weeds we have the most of though. I was really, really hoping they would eat them up.

Oh, I should mention too that I usually put Preen (a pre-emergent) down if it's rainy. But I have not used it in the backyard for fear the girls would just eat it up. So that's probably exacerbating the issue.

Not sure what we'll do. Though it feels a little better to vent.

I understand your frustration with that! I have a few areas that are problems, gardens. I did an experiment this year. I let the crew forage one of those problem areas during the fall and winter, and knocked down green things by hand with a hula hoe when the weeds just began to emerge. Knocking them out before they have a chance to grow and flower and spread seed will really help. My garden where the flock foraged throughout the rainy season is bare and ready to plant, the one they had no access to is a disaster. Once you get it under control, however you decide to do that, then it’ll be easier and the chickens will get the seeds before they sprout and make weeds.

 

[springvalley123]

that looks like "rent a goat or tortoise" territory

We borrowed our neighbor's goats and their guardian donkey for a few days. They went to the trees like kids in a candy store, and the trees went from being true bushes to looking as if a professional landscaper trimmed them! They took care of the weeds too. Maybe if you're on an acre you could borrow a couple of goats during the day?