Arizona Chickens

[LarryPQ]

Well- It was cool outside yesterday.

Put the bigger chicks out in the run, they LOVED IT! I put out a pie pan filled with water & a little sand for them to spash in. They seemed to do well all day--no one overly stressed. I think the high at my house was ~92 degrees. I was worried they might be a little cold, but when I checked on them a few times last night there was no huddling or piling.

It should be around 100-103 today. I froze a few milk jugs filled with water last night. Put one out before I left for work, and DH will switch it with a new one around lunch time just in case.

DH is going to put in a water-saving mister (there is one that does a gallon an hour) at the sandy end of the run. That should keep them, right? If the temp spikes over 107, one of us can run home and put them back in the extra room.

I still have 2 polish week-old chicks in the brooder. They were part of the "older" flock, so I don't want to keep them apart for too long. Ideas? MIL comes tonight...but 2 chickies in the guest room is a lot less smelly than 15.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

Heelers&Chickens_OhMy :

Quote:
I've heard that moldy feed is bad and can cause problems. I've heard that feed with maggots in it is the worst.

Then, I've heard people feed that and don't even worry.

I would just monitor your girls. One night of fermenting can't be all that bad.

Lots of folks say mold is very bad for chickens. . . you might want to search to forum for more info.​

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

Quote:
My understanding it that if the get used to the heat young they may do better in it as adults. I haven't done chicks in the heat, but my chickens do fine with shade/water and mister. It also seems like they do better with the heat after a week of it or so.

 

[Tonopah Pati]

I am thankful that the wet feed did not mold. It is a good thing that I dumped it out before it did mold. I just got back from collecting Eggs and the wet has dried up a lot. I think I will try the bucket or I am looking at a gal milk jug. There are two round circles indented on each side, about 21/2" from the bottom. If I cut the circles out their head will fit into the hole to get the feed. I can fill from the top using a funnel. Water proof. I will try it. they might tip it over however if I hang it, it might work.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

Quote:
Interesting. Let us know how it works.

 

[LarryPQ]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/for/1315909814.html

Cheap buckets...Thought I saw a posting for the west valley too.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

Quote:
Thank you for sharing.

Buckets have been on my mind this week. My cousin from Utah was in town teaching a class on Pandemic Preparedness and wanted some free buckets to use to finish off the gravity water filtration systems she was making available at the class. One of my neighbors has a bakery and always has extra buckets available, so I was helping her coordinate getting them. Also, my dad in Tucson has a bunch of buckets he got free at an Albertsons backery. I guess they get the frosting/glaze in them and always have buckets that need homes. So, if you are willing to wash the buckets and be a little assertive in asking about them, any local bakery may give you some for free. You might have to ask them to save them for you then go back and get them a couple of days later.

 

[Detail2107]

hey
Does anyone know of where I can get some adult cuckoo marans or other kind of Marans hens in the Phoenix area for less than $15 a chicken? I am really interested in the dark colored eggs they lay and would like to expand my flock. I am also looking for some turkey and peacock chicks depending on the price. I have a really good home for them on an acre and a half of fully fenced and grassy pasture with lots of trees and chicken coops for night enclosures.

 

[Tonopah Pati]

Well I tried the milk gallon feeder. It was hard to cut out circles without making the edges ragged, however I did get it pretty clean. I put feed in up to the bottom of the holes. The girls gave it a try and caught their neck feathers on the edges. They did not like that. I left it all day, no food was eaten. So back to the drawing board! Just a thought. Maybe a cone shaped thingy to go on the top of the feeder and extend past the bottom tray. The cone shape would stop them from roosting and pooping in/on the feeder. also should keep the feed dry.

 

[Triple T]

Quote:
I know nothing about this hatchery, except that they advertise alot on Craig's List. http://cchatchery.com/
I am going to make the drive out to their place one of these days just to see the wildlife preserve - if I ever get enough FREE time.