Arizona Chickens

[Mahonri]

I sure hope those eggs Mahalo got today hatch for him.

Crystal only hatched 9 of the 18 I got her, so my roo is just not doing his job. makes me sad... that and the hens just aren't laying. Maybe this warmer weather will help.

 

[mahalo4]

If they are going to hatch they will in my Ron Popiel bator just set it & forget it LOL!! Thank You again Mahonri!!

 

[vegaschick]

Quote:
I had gotten 3 hens from a friend that had been really worked over by the roos. I don't have any roos but it seemed like whenever the feathers would start growing in the other hens just couldn't resist. I made some aprons with old jeans. They worked okay but didn't stay on really well. Did more research and ended up using duct tape. I found quite a bit of info online before I tried it. It really worked for me. Fast, easy, cheap and works, can't ask for more. It falls off naturally after about 2 weeks and can be replaced as needed. Duct tape comes in some very nice colors and patterns now, too. Sounds weird, I know, but I can't argue with results.

 

[Mahonri]

I have a FBCM hen that constantly pics her own feathers on her back. I'll have to try it.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Good morning Arizona and to all the new members:

I got sick during the last bout of freezing temps and my garden was completely unattended for more than a week. It even sat covered with sheets for nearly five days. My garden is in sections, with some plants covered with cold-frames made from hooped panels of 4' X 7' concrete mesh panels and covered with plastic. Other plants were too big to be covered by my frames, e.g. broccoli and cauliflower. The plants not protected with a cold-frame were devastated. I think my broccoli will survive but the cauliflower all went. We're eating a LOT of cauliflower lately. So, yesterday I was finally well enough to remove the cold-frame covers for the rest of the garden. I was expecting to find a mushy mess but it seems that everything that was maintained all winter under a cold-frame did spectacularly well in the freezing temps. The pic on the left is a 4' X 16' strip with lettuces, fennel, raddichio, cabbage, endive, escarole, beets, carrots, turnips, rutabaga. The pic on the right is of a patch of various lettuces, magenta orach and celery. I posted a pic of this same patch a couple months ago and, until recently, have been harvesting daily from it.

 

[NoSkiveez]

Quote:
I've wanted a frizzle since I saw Laree's a year ago or so... how are they at laying? Is she that tiny because she is still young? I'd consider coming out there... Want to get some grown quail anyway, if I could

She's as big as she will get. She's missing a lot of neck feathers. They are starting to grow back and still have that coating around the feather. She was never really "full" fluff if you know what I mean. I have a red roo that could go with her if you wanted him. She currently sleeps under a Silkie at night.

I have a hand full bigger quail. Not quite laying age, not quite small chicks. Probably 3 to 4 weeks old.

 

[NoSkiveez]

Quote:
Those dogs sure are neat. They have great personalities too. I want one. His dog eats the same amount of food in one week that my dog eats in a year. My dog eats just under 40 pounds (aside from all the stuff she steals from the twins....which is whys her name is Tubby)

 

[mclevinson]

So here it is a beautiful day and I can't find any heritage tomatoes to plant!

 

[chickchalet]

I am looking for information on storing freshly laid chicken eggs here in AZ. I have read that the eggs could be kept on the counter (for up to 10 days) unwashed in cartons. Other have said they need to washed and put in the fridge ASAP. I always put mine in the fridge in the warmer months.
Also how long are the eggs good for after they are laid...to eat?????

 

[Bob's Henhouse]

Quote:
I was looking for the same info myself back when. I found a test that Mother Earth News did, you might try Googling it. Unwashed on the counter, depends on what you keep your house at, they stay good for quite a while. I keep mine on top of the chest freezer when I don't get them in the fridge right away because the lid is cold. They are better left unwashed until you get ready to use them because the 'bloom' keeps them air tight and keeps bacteria out. I do recommend refrigerating them right away regardless, just because.

Just my unprofessional, untrained, 2 cents worth.