Arizona Chickens

[5pinkarrows]

Happy Turkey Day!!

We have no heat lamps, but I had the chicks (hatched Sept. 20-ish) in a dog crate by the house last night. My husband finished the coop expansion yesterday, but I was afraid to put them out there with it getting so cold. I guess I will have to eventually. I want them out there but it is just so cold! I'm sure they will huddle together and stay warm, right?

Angie-- That is hilarious that you were woken up by roosters crowing IN your house! It's almost as funny as bathing chickens. Okay, I have done that one, but it wasn't as pretty. We had a hen that we lovingly called "Crusty Butt" for obvious reasons. I hope I get to see those gorgeous roosters of yours Saturday!

 

[Mahonri]

Happy Thanksgiving to all my AZ peeps.

 

[a2ms4chickens]

The two Japanese were the last of 10 chickens to be washed, my DS is taking to the show. He is also taking a RIR bantam hen, a Birchen OEGB rooster, a Silver Duckwing hen and cockeral, a light creme brown dutch hen and pullet, a light blue brown dutch rooster, and a black dutch cockeral. Some of the birds he is taking, he has hatched under a broody. He isn't into breeding big time, but he likes to see what the judges think. However, he just recently got a small incubator so, he is anxious to try it out before we get some of Mahonri's ameraucana eggs. After the 1st of the year we'll set some of our eggs to see how it works.

Have a great day everyone!!

Angie

 

[mclevinson]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[Bob's Henhouse]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you all enjoy a peaceful day.

Also hope everyone's birds do well with the cold tonight.

 

[demonica29]

Hi-diddley-ho from Queen Creek!

My name is Monica, I introduced myself about a year ago and then haven't been on since. My mom (who owns the house I live in rent free) was so completely and totally against the idea of me getting chickens that I tabled the idea. She just send me an article she cut out of the Boston Globe about raising chickens and called to tell me I should get some. I'm sure the idea of fresh eggs when she is out here for the winter swayed her some. Anyway, I am back on here to start collecting information and getting ideas.

My 3 year old has a playhouse that he has outgrown (he's a big 3 year old) that looks something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-...O0/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1290725147&sr=8-12
Am I on the right track thinking that this would be a good jumping off point for my first coop? I am assuming that since ventilation is more important than insulation (except today of course) out here in AZ this would be a good start.

So, who is around QC, Gilbert, Mesa? I would love to be able to pick your brains and tour your coops, if that's a possibility.

Also, I have a black and white motif going with my pets. Both cat and dog are white with big black spots. Dog is named Cow Puppy, as a matter of fact. Are there breeds that tolerate the heat well, are gentle enough for my 3 year old and fit in with my chosen colors?

Sorry for all the newbie questions, I'm just so excited!

 

[ChrystalGail]

Oh my! That Big Bird comic had me in tears! So funny.

I hope y'all are having a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! I caught the marshmallows on top of the tame on fire! Oops! Lol...

 

[Mahonri]

Hey Monica!

Glad you are back. Congrats on getting chickens. Playhouses are good, big coops are better.

If you are staying with "black and white"

Some suggestions for chickens.

Pearl WHITE Leghorns-- large white eggs.

Ancona-black and white- medium white eggs.

Australorps- black - large brown eggs.

Delawares- black and white - large brown eggs.

Barred Rocks- black and white- medium to large brown eggs.

They are all fun breeds.

Too much turkey today.. I need a NAP!

 

[5pinkarrows]

Hi Monica! Welcome! I'm fairly new to this, too. Well, I've had chickens for about 2 years, but I'm new at BYC. We just fumbled around trying to figure out what works and doesn't, so you are starting off way smarter than me. I think the old playhouse is a wonderful idea! Our coops are just two-by-fours with chicken wire and rabbit fencing wrapped around them. Then, for a shelter, we have what sort of looks like lean-to's. It works, but it isn't nearly as cute as your playhouse will be.

As for black and white, we got one Polish. We thought he was a she, but we will be giving him up at some point. He's black and white and hilarious to look at. Maybe that would be a good breed for you? We also have one chick that is a cuckoo maran. She's black with a teeny bit of white. We are looking forward to her dark chocolate brown eggs.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Quote:
Also the Ideal 236 Leghorn hybrid is white with a few black spots. You'd have to order them from Ideal, though.
They are kind of like chickens in fast forward, but they are sweet when we hold them and actually like sitting on us.
I ordered 10 chicks from Ideal in September and they are all great birds so far.

Light Brahmas are white with black and feathers on their legs. Ours lays a pretty pink egg about every other day.

I don't know how the playhouse would work. It seems like it would get REALLY HOT in the summer.

I'm in Gilbert.
Did you know about the "tour de coops" next weekend? It's a tour around the Phoenix area of people's backyard coops.
You might get some great ideas from that. Check out the Phoenix Permaculture Guild if you are interested.