Arizona Chickens

[bethany83]

bethany83, someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that folks here are hatching eggs all the time, even in the summer. The coop in the link would be good for AZ heat. I would want the inside side of the enclosure to be open though (I'll bet that one is closed). Can you look at the coop and draw your own plans? I'll bet you could!

So the inside wall of the coop would just be open? Won't they get too cold during the winter? And are they safe enough from predators? I'm in central Mesa, so I guess the only things I really have to worry about is a dog or cat, but our yard is completely fenced in.

I've seen some coop designs that the whole front wall is connected with hinges at the top, so you can lift it up and attach it to a hook on the ceiling. Best of both worlds???​

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
So the inside wall of the coop would just be open? Won't they get too cold during the winter? And are they safe enough from predators? I'm in central Mesa, so I guess the only things I really have to worry about is a dog or cat, but our yard is completely fenced in.

I've seen some coop designs that the whole front wall is connected with hinges at the top, so you can lift it up and attach it to a hook on the ceiling. Best of both worlds???

The heat here is far more troublesome than the cold. You have to avoid making an oven when designing your coop here. Hinging that wall is a good idea! Look at my byc page and see how mine is open. In the worst part of winter I stapled up some plastic to keep the wind off the birds. My girls didn't seem to be bothered by the cold at all (although I don't have birds that are cold sensitive, e.g. seramas). Also, keep in mind that although you live in the center of an urban area, you probably have just as many predators (if not more) as someone in a rural area. You undoubtably have lots of coyotes, probably raccoons, far too many roaming dogs. You would need a very high fence to keep out dogs and coyotes. You also have to defend against hawks and owls. A covered run is best and also consider putting a wire apron around the bottom of the run/coop to keep out diggers (also detailed on my byc page).

 

[squeakyballs]

bethany83, Gallo de chello is right. I had chicks hatch last August!

 

[cluckin_crazy]

Quote:
I would just browse through people's pages here and see what they have. You don't need to pay for plans - I didn't have any for either of my coops.

I work in DT Mesa and I'd say you should probably be concerned about birds and stray dogs. Not to discourage safety, but my run is not enclosed. I live just a couple miles from the San Tan mountains and have seen owls and different hawks. I've never lost a bird to them. I've lost chicks, but to my own dog, not any other predator. That being said, you don't have to make it comparable to Ft. Knox, but they should be protected.

 

[Desertrat011]

Quote:
One hive can produce alot depending where you are, citrus grove, farm fields.One family would have a problem eating it all.I keeped one on a flat roof when I was younger and had a shade for it.
Gratz!!! on the boy,my daughter told me On my birthday I was going to be a Grandfather

 

[turkeybreeder]

Quote:
we won 100 dollars but it still great win
but so close one more number it was 10,000
or two more numbers 124 million dollars
tears ran through my eyes when i said
dad if we could of guess those two numbers
we could afford your surgery
for a kidney transplant
my father cried he said dont loose hope
someday i can get a
kidney transplant

 

[cluckin_crazy]

Quote:
It makes perfect sense... I think.

OH wait... I just re read this and you're not talking about putting it on the wall at all... I think. So my run area is 7x14 - do you mean running them parallel with the 14 foot wall? Can you just come over and do it for me??

 

[turkeybreeder]

Quote:
we guess the numbers
but it was a good guess
so close its the first
time we have been
so close to winning the lottery
we needed two more numbers

 

[Desertrat011]

Does anyone use legs bands? I want to keep track of my chickens and where I got them as well as the chicks.
Are they for sale here or online?If there is a better way let me know.

 

[cluckin_crazy]

I've only ever banded the adults... I use tiny zip ties.

Constance: I believe it was you who asked whether the "out of sight out of mind" works with the chickens... I did it last night, they still squawked this morning, but I've been sitting outside for a while now and they're silent. I think it's working!!