Arizona Chickens

[BenisonsChickns]

That's an excellent garden. Do you have any problems with ground squirrels?

What kinds of grass and greens are in that lawn patch for your chickens?

Don’t have any ground squirrels here, probably because of how urban it is, just beyond that back wall is a really busy road that cuts all the way across north Phoenix, so that might deter them. The forage mix I planted back there is this, Barenbrug 1 lb. 1,000 sq. ft. Premium Chicks Forage Grass Seed Mix https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/barenbrug-premium-chicks-mix-1-lb-25490

I had really good germination rates with this and the girls seem to really enjoy all of it, they will mow it right down if I give them too much access to it. Will probably lose it all in the heat but I bought a bale of that alfalfa hay we were all discussing a while back so I can supplement them with those greens during the summer.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Don’t have any ground squirrels here, probably because of how urban it is, just beyond that back wall is a really busy road that cuts all the way across north Phoenix, so that might deter them. The forage mix I planted back there is this, Barenbrug 1 lb. 1,000 sq. ft. Premium Chicks Forage Grass Seed Mix https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/barenbrug-premium-chicks-mix-1-lb-25490View attachment 4096974
I had really good germination rates with this and the girls seem to really enjoy all of it, they will mow it right down if I give them too much access to it. Will probably lose it all in the heat but I bought a bale of that alfalfa hay we were all discussing a while back so I can supplement them with those greens during the summer.

You are so lucky to not have ground squirrels! They eat everything and love eggs and chicken meat. I have to put a hardware cloth cage around anything we grow in the backyard, otherwise nothing grows beyond an inch before it gets eaten.

That grass mix looks good. Maybe I can grow it some containers like I do the oat grass.

 

[BenisonsChickns]

You are so lucky to not have ground squirrels! They eat everything and love eggs and chicken meat. I have to put a hardware cloth cage around anything we grow in the backyard.

That grass mix looks good. Maybe I can grow it some containers like I do the oat grass.

I think it would work great in containers as long as they’re 4 inches deep or more. It was growing well all winter long.

 

[JAMarlow]

Check out Native Seed Search online. They are down in Tucson and sell seeds for produce that will actually grow here.

I second Native Seed Search! Look for the seeds they are cultivating and harvesting the seeds from (they also carry a few commercial seeds to help fill out the catalogue). I've had really good luck with them. I love that they are trying to save varieties from the Southwest before they are lost forever.

 

[igorsMistress]

I second Native Seed Search! Look for the seeds they are cultivating and harvesting the seeds from (they also carry a few commercial seeds to help fill out the catalogue). I've had really good luck with them. I love that they are trying to save varieties from the Southwest before they are lost forever.

Most of the produce I’m currently growing came from their seeds, love that place!

 

[BlueBaby]

I went to tsc last night to buy more feed. I walked past where they used to have the chicks at. It was empty again. I wouldn't have bought any chicks anyways. I did find another chicken themed tshirt though that I thought was cute.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

We have a broody hen and I'm trying to decide between broody jail or getting her some hatching eggs. Is this a terrible time of year for hatching? It's been unseasonably hot with lots of days in the 90s and several 100s. Is it just too hot for chicks?

 

[igorsMistress]

We have a broody hen and I'm trying to decide between broody jail or getting her some hatching eggs. Is this a terrible time of year for hatching? It's been unseasonably hot with lots of days in the 90s and several 100s. Is it just too hot for chicks?

Better sooner than later. Chicks can take the warmer weather more than we might think. If you want to add to your flock it’s probably the cheapest way to do it.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I was planning on adding another 6-8 in the fall so this would be a little earlier but definitely not unwelcome. My friend's father is looking to start a flock and said he will take any extra chicks we might have.

This would also mean chick-proofing our entire run. It was built quickly and temporarily for adults hens, not chicks. it's doable but that will take some work.

Hm. I need to give this some more thought.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Someone stole another Amazon package from us this morning. Scumbags circle our neighborhood constantly on bicycles. They carry big backpacks and steal anything they can get their hands on. They often follow the Amazon trucks around.

Cameras don't deter them. He rode right up to our porch, took it, and left. Had a hood up, no way to identify him. Just after 6:00 A.M., too. Criminals start early around here.

That package had a new camera for our run, among other items.