Arizona Chickens

[Happy Novogens]

Luckily I have a small truck so I can just toss it in the back, I may live near all the city folks but at heart I don’t fit in gonna try just dirt for awhile and see how it goes then maybe down the road try the alfalfa… great feed store just 5 minutes from here has everything, it’s called The Western Ranchman…. Love it because it’s super country folk but literally on the border of one of the toughest parts of north Phoenix called “The Square”…..

I've been to that Western Ranchman store a couple of times. It's where I purchase wheat or barley seed to grow sprouts for my chickens. Very "country."
I just wish it were closer. It's over an hour drive for me.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Well if it's going to insist on being in the upper 80s this week I guess I need to get ready. I bought more of these trays that I like to use to freeze blocks of water and distribute around the pens.

View attachment 4057527

Also thinking about getting a line mister once we have the permanent coop finished. They're lovely while the humidity is low. Anyone have a brand recommendation?

View attachment 4057531

I have misters for use in my coop. I just bought them off Amazon. Of course I only run them in the summer heat. This June I'll have had them for 3 years. I'm surprised they lasted that long. For the price, I was prepared to replace them each year but they keep on working. I use a timer with them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FC8BL7C?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

 

[cavemanrich]

I have misters for use in my coop. I just bought them off Amazon. Of course I only run them in the summer heat. This June I'll have had them for 3 years. I'm surprised they lasted that long. For the price, I was prepared to replace them each year but they keep on working. I use a timer with them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FC8BL7C?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

The mister nozzles can get clogged if you have hard water. (minerals). A solution for that is to soak the nozzles in vinegar, before assuming replacement.
Just wanted to pass that along.

 

[igorsMistress]

While I’m happy to see more seasonal temps in our forecast, I’m going through the freezer and making room for making ice blocks on a daily basis.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I have misters for use in my coop. I just bought them off Amazon. Of course I only run them in the summer heat. This June I'll have had them for 3 years. I'm surprised they lasted that long. For the price, I was prepared to replace them each year but they keep on working. I use a timer with them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FC8BL7C?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

Exactly what I'm looking for, thank you!

 

[EmmaDonovan]

The mister nozzles can get clogged if you have hard water. (minerals). A solution for that is to soak the nozzles in vinegar, before assuming replacement.
Just wanted to pass that along.

That's a good tip. Our water is ridiculously hard. It adds a lot of work to household cleaning chores.

 

[Happy Novogens]

That's a good tip. Our water is ridiculously hard. It adds a lot of work to household cleaning chores.

Our water is also very hard. We are on well water but have a whole house arsenic filter. The chicken run also gets that filtered water. If I ever see a mister looking less misty, I just scratch a bit at the white buildup.

You'll want to consider the height of your misters. Too low and it'll soak their feathers not allowing them to fluff and get air (so I've read). Too high and it won't do anything.

 

[BenisonsChickns]

So where do you all put the blocks of ice? Last year I just put frozen 2 liters in their waterer bucket.. also what watering system do you use for drinking? I have some of the self filling cups and a couple nipples on a 5 gallon bucket, I want to use just nipples because it less cleaning maintenance but I feel they won’t get enough water from them during the heat? Any input is appreciated…

 

[Happy Novogens]

So where do you all put the blocks of ice? Last year I just put frozen 2 liters in their waterer bucket.. also what watering system do you use for drinking? I have some of the self filling cups and a couple nipples on a 5 gallon bucket, I want to use just nipples because it less cleaning maintenance but I feel they won’t get enough water from them during the heat? Any input is appreciated…

I also use the 5 gallon buckets with the cups and add frozen bottles. But when it's really hot, I put out a small wading pool in the shade each morning. They tend to drink from that just as much. So that is something to consider when wondering if the nipples will be ok without cups -- if you have a wading pool.

 

[igorsMistress]

So where do you all put the blocks of ice? Last year I just put frozen 2 liters in their waterer bucket.. also what watering system do you use for drinking? I have some of the self filling cups and a couple nipples on a 5 gallon bucket, I want to use just nipples because it less cleaning maintenance but I feel they won’t get enough water from them during the heat? Any input is

In a kiddie pool. We cut doors in the sides so they can sip without getting in but they often get in and stand in it as well. I use a couple of plastic pitchers to make the blocks in my chest freezer; first one goes out around 2 PM and the second around 4 PM to help them through the hottest part of the day.

Waterer is in my shade garden and I use a five gallon bucket with quail cups. I rinse those daily and give em a quick swipe with a paper towel to remove dirt; this keeps them pretty clean and reduces major cleaning events. I feel like sometimes the nipples don’t give them that looong refreshing drink I see them take from cool water when it’s hot.

Another thing that’s really good for them is electrolytes maybe every other day or so. I never make a full gallon though, it’s a waste. I know @BlueBaby puts some in feed and gives her flock that as a wet mash. I sometimes do that as well.

Don’t forget some mud puddles. My crew will wade in them and by the next day the hole is a place to bathe in cool dirt.