Arizona Chickens

[Tonopah Pati]

When I turn on the misters I move the tubs to the places the misters leave the most water. The tubs keep getting water to wade in and drink. They are so funny. It's like a bunch of kids at the beach. They like to stand in the mist in the tub.

 

[cap1717]

Quote:
Yeah, mine do the same thing. I do feel very lucky that with the help of groups like this one, I have learned enough, quicklyenough, to keep the chooks healthy and happy throughout what is a downright miserable summer in Phoenix.

 

[rufus]

I have a large pan like disc that used to cover the spare tire on someone's RV. It is very shallow, but it holds water. They love to walk in it.

I also have a Christmas tree stand that I found in the same alley. It is a plastic pan with a rebar base. They cannot turn it over. It holds about four inches of water.

Between these two wading pools and the lawn sprinker going off a couple of times a day, they stay pretty cool.

We used to get the baby chicks about the second week in September so that they would be big enough when it turned cool.

My son wants us to do some meat birds this fall, but I am not about to process 25 or 50 chickens myself. His intentions are good, but as soon as we start a project his wife calls him and I don't see him until it is all over.

I guess that is life.

Rufus

 

[Tonopah Pati]

You also have to think of disposal of the waste.

Years ago on the farm, we would process 40 or more at one time. ( I prefer doing it outside ) I had a large basement with a summer kitchen. I strung a line across the room, placed 2 kiddie wading pools under the line. hung the bird upside down after dunking bird in scalding hot water and plucked the feathers. Leave the bird on line to open them,remove the innards drop in pool also. The pools were easy to fold some what to get them out the door. WE had a large burn hole so all left overs went there and we would burn it right away.

My oldest Daughter to this day cannot stand the smell of wet chickens. Those meat birds stayed us through the winter. ( I had six kids to feed so all the work was worth it). It was like canning your own produce. We may all have to grow a Victory Garden some day. We already took a first step in raising our Chickens can have meat (If I Want ) and Fresh Eggs.

and we have our own fertilizer.

 

[cap1717]

Quote:
One of the reasons I jumped onto the "backyard chicken" bandwagon was because I had just finished reading Barbara Kingsolvers newest book, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle", about her year of living on the local produce of not only her own farm, but of farmers within a short distance of her location. Terrific book!

 

[LarryPQ]

Well then! When I get to the point of needing to send my roos the freezer way, I know who to contact!

Not sure what to tell my three-year-old. Much to smart for his own good. Ie- we went to Whole Foods for some rennet (I am learning how to make cheese) and he saw the display of fish. I thought he was goign to start a PETA protest right there. Since I have a few eggs in the 'bator, I have been trying to distinguish chicken eggs for eating and chicken eggs for baby chickens. Then at dinner I try to distinguish chicken for eating and chicken for "growing" chicken eggs.

I think he sees through me.

 

[Tonopah Pati]

Sounds like a book I would like to read. I will have to check it out. Thank You.

Just got back in the house from taking care of my girls and boys. I let them go out of the pen while I got them fresh water. They were having a good old time.As soon as I dumped the wading tubs, the girls were back in the pen getting the bugs that were under there.

Willy was clucking at them to come out, Mr. Peep starting clucking at them. The girls said " Forget you, we have bugs"

.

Willy looks 100% better now that his comb is healed up and his head feathers have grown almost all the way in. He was too cute strutting his stuff out of the pen and able to call the girls out. Sure put some spring in his step!

 

[LarryPQ]

"Death, Pets and Food"

Zoinks, sounds like my week...but you forgot "Babies with tummy viruses who eat Desitin"

No really, I am jealous...I would love to raise the boys on a farm, but not really feasible right now. Part of the reason we got chickens now, while the boys are young. I want them to know where their food comes from. I already garden---and want to get a mini-cow (SOMEDAY--not today!) Nutritous, delicious food does not come from a block of Velveeta.

BTW--does anyone know someone in the PV-Scottsdale area with too much real raw milk on their hands? I am learning how to make cheese. I've gone to saveyourdairy.com in QC, and paid $10 a gallon, but that is WAAAAAY to much for experimentation.

(ultrapasturized milk doesn't curd right...and even Shamrock Farms ultrapasturizes now...darn)

 

[Heelers&Chickens_OhMy]

Quote:
For the most part I've stopped drinking milk. I've heard that goats milk, however, is better for you than cow's milk (is there truth in that statement?) Let me know what you find!

Also, I had a problem with the organic feed I purchased yesterday :-( Is there a feedstore in town (Phoenix, I am near Mesa) that you really like? What about a feed you really like?

 

[Triple T]

YAHOO!!!!!!!

they have finally started giving me breakfast. I am so proud. I have no idea who did it, but it is great news for me. My DH says "At $300 for 2 small eggs it is going to be the world's most expensive omelet!"

They are 22.5 weeks old. They took thier sweet time doing this.