Arizona Chickens

[a2ms4chickens]

Gallo del Cielo welcome back. I am originally from Ohio, and I miss the cooler fall days and changing leaves. But that's all I miss, lol.

We still have no idea what got in the pen. Whatever it was had to get over the 5 foot wall, crawl through the shade screen and be smart enough to get back out.

Last night a few more chickens were sleeping on the roost, but the old timers aren't taking any chances. They are still sleeping across the pen.

I thought about the 2 roosters that died, and I think they may have died doing what a rooster does and protecting the flock.
I had 3 roosters: 1 standard RIR who is crippled, and these 2 MGB's, and they were pretty small.

The rest of the flock are hens and cockerals. I will be keeping at least 2 or 3 Buckeye roosters for my flock, but they aren't quite 5 months old, yet.

Angie

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Quote:
They hadn't made it to beetle stage yet so there won't be any eggs, right? We just started them a couple of weeks before.
I'll put them in the garage this time, but that doesn't guarantee those stupid ants won't find them there.

 

[NoSkiveez]

Quote:
That IS interesting
Big enough for a one-egg omelette?
I hope ours start laying soon. They aren't going near the nest box yet.

It was big enough. We cooked it for the twins (scrambled) and they didn't finish it all. I fed the left overs back to the chickens.

 

[Bob's Henhouse]

Well, it finally rained in Wittmann. My weather station says .78 in. of rain and 66 mph wind gust. I didn't make it home in time to get the tarp back over the chicken feed. oops. But they are all loving the cool weather and the wet 'pickins'.

 

[Lyongirl]

Hello everyone! I literally just joined and I'm located out in Queen Creek. I don't currently own any chickens but my husband mentioned buying some so I've been doing research and now I'm starting to get excited to start! I was just wondering if you guys had any web sites or tips for specifically raising chickens here (ie best coops to build/ways to keep chickens cool/etc.) We are looking for just eggs so I'm still trying to decide on which breed to buy/how many. I have 6 foot concrete walls around our backyard but we do have neighbors so I'll prob. only get 2 or 3 baby chicks to start out with.
Thanks for any information you guys can give me! It rained here today btw..but for a very short amount of time sadly

.

 

[tofuranch]

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It has rained here the last 5 days...today it started at 10am and it is still raining now....everything is WET
It is also cold.....

 

[Mahonri]

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It has rained here the last 5 days...today it started at 10am and it is still raining now....everything is WET
It is also cold.....

You must be living right!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

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Welcome to BYC!

You're probably at the best spot you can be to learn about chickens in AZ. Look at the BYC pages of the AZ folks that have them and you'll get an idea about what we use for coops. The main thing here is ventilation. You should get 3 rather than 2 because they are social. Make sure to think about predators too--don't use chicken wire, it's for keeping chickens in and doesn't keep the bad guys out. If you have specific questions, we can help. Congratulations of your rain.

 

[a2ms4chickens]

Lyongirl, from Tucson

BYC has a lot of great information on how to take care of chickens, such as housing, feed, breeds, etc. And if you have specific questions, that's what the forum is for. Lots of great people on here with a world of knowledge.

Good luck on your new addiction, and remember to always make room for twice as many as you originally plan. It's ok, it has happened to us all.

Angie

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

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I suggest doing searches on BYC for open-air coops, warm weather coops, etc.
I have an open-air coop on my web page for starters.
Basically you need lots of shade and water here. An "under-the-bed" box filled maybe half with water for them to stand in is extremely helpful. You can add ice if it's really hot out. A lot of people use mister systems and even coolers and A/C units in their coops.
Also, chickens do better in groups of at least 3. You might want to consider getting 4 chicks in case of loss. My little flock of 6 was a great starting number.
Rhode Island Reds or Production Reds lay lots of eggs and are very heat hardy.