Arizona Chickens

[stevensonm]

Thx for the help. I am in Queen creek by Ironwood adn Ocotillo. There is a new feed store on teh corner. is there any that someone would recomend.

thx
Shaun

Quote:
Most feed stores carry shavings, and usually at a far better price than the pet stores. Tell us where you live and we can recommend feed stores.

Do not put chicks with hens that they are not already raising--they are likely to kill them.

You need medicated starter for the chicks, and a good layer ration for the hens. Arizona Feeds is pretty much garbage; just about any brand is better.

The hens will be fine with the current temperatures. The chicks will need heat for at least a couple of weeks. The rule is that they need 95 degrees the first week, 90 degrees the second, and 5 degrees less each week until the temeprature needed matches the ambient temperature. I have some outside on the porch that get heat at night, but not during the day (unless chilly or windy). My youngest are inside in the storage and laundry rooms, which stay pretty warm. They get little added heat. Basically, if they are chirping frantically, they are uncomfortable, and it is likely that they are cold, hungry or thirsty. If they are constantly lethargically sprawled, they are too hot.

 

[bethany83]

Does anyone here have RABBITS, too?

What do your rabbit hutches look like? How do you keep them cool(er) in the summer? Do you have any rabbits that share a hutch/run?

Thanks!

~Bethany

 

[turkeybreeder]

is it NewCastle Disease LaSota or Newcastle-Bronchitis Vaccine
is MD-Vac CFL, 1000 ds the mareks i will look on youtube
if they have video how to vaccinate the chicks so they come
in tablets and they are mix in the vial i will wait till
rays feed store gets more there on baseline and 7 avenue they carry
both mareks and new castle maybe new castle is more risk for the birds

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

Quote:
Now that you mention it, why yes, as a matter of fact, I do have rabbits. LOL

We use large all-wire cages from Bass Equipment, with carpets, boards, and/or feed bags on top and sides as needed for shade. For now, they set on cinder blocks against the house or shed, which isn't great but "good enough". In higher elevations like ours (5000+ ft), the temps drop 30-40 degrees at night, so the rabbits get relief when the sun goes behind the mountains. Also, we don't breed when the temps reach 80 degrees (now til late Sep) which also isn't great from a business perspective. We take extra care to keep the stress level down during summer, and check their water twice a day.

If it gets really hot (95+ degrees, or any sudden increase) and they show signs of distress, we put out frozen water bottles and/or turn on a misting system above the cages. On the two occasions when a rabbit showed signs of heat stroke (head back, panting, lethargic) we brought her inside to 72 degree temps. But rabbits are adaptable, and can be raised successfully in places like Africa where it's hot and humid year round.

One adult rabbit per cage, with the cages side by side so they have company, seems to work best for us. Rabbits are very territorial, and "intact" adult rabbits sharing living quarters results in fighting, injuries, and diseases.

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

Okay - all this talk about vaccinations -- I've never vaccinated in the past, since I started with feed store chicks and they are not vaccinated. My chickens have been pretty healthy and I've only lost 1 that may have been due to Mareks' (it was 8 weeks old and I couldn't confirm for sure).

But.... I have some chicks ordered and I have the option of paying for Marek's vaccinations for them ($1 per chick). My friend is splitting the order, and doesn't want to pay for vaccinations, which means if I vaccinate mine, I'd pay to vaccinate hers too. Would you pay the $19 for vaccinations (9 of those chicks are mine) or... should I just order vaccines separately? Is there another vaccination party coming up that I can be a part of?


Turkey Breeder --- It was nice to meet you today. I hope your hen stays broody through the move and is able to set on some of those eggs you ordered. You'll have to let me know how she does.

 

[bethany83]

Now that you mention it, why yes, as a matter of fact, I do have rabbits. LOL lol

We use large all-wire cages from Bass Equipment, with carpets, boards, and/or feed bags on top and sides as needed for shade. For now, they set on cinder blocks against the house or shed, which isn't great but "good enough". In higher elevations like ours (5000+ ft), the temps drop 30-40 degrees at night, so the rabbits get relief when the sun goes behind the mountains. Also, we don't breed when the temps reach 80 degrees (now til late Sep) which also isn't great from a business perspective. We take extra care to keep the stress level down during summer, and check their water twice a day.

If it gets really hot (95+ degrees, or any sudden increase) and they show signs of distress, we put out frozen water bottles and/or turn on a misting system above the cages. On the two occasions when a rabbit showed signs of heat stroke (head back, panting, lethargic) we brought her inside to 72 degree temps. But rabbits are adaptable, and can be raised successfully in places like Africa where it's hot and humid year round.

One adult rabbit per cage, with the cages side by side so they have company, seems to work best for us. Rabbits are very territorial, and "intact" adult rabbits sharing living quarters results in fighting, injuries, and diseases. sad

AWESOME! Thanks!

So they need separate housing, but can they share a run? Or will they still fight? Can they share a run with the chickens? They'd have about 10 ft of run if so!

How hard is it to build a mister? We have a hose/faucet right there on the wall where the chicken/rabbits will be. Can we finagle something to that and set it on a timer for summer? If so, how often do we turn the mister on every day when its HOT?​

 

[tightwad]

Quote:
Looks like the MD-Vac CFL is what we want. Not sure what strain on the Newcastle. Maybe it's in the discussion a ways back in this thread. I'll keep looking. I'm in Mesa so I'll call my feed store to see if they carry any.

Great idea looking on youtube for a how-to video!

 

[squeakyballs]

What are you guys feeding your chickens, where do you get it, and how much are you paying?

I got a bag of layena pellets and they hate it. I think it is like $17 a bag or something ridiculous.

 

[BYC Project Manager]

Hi, everyone.

Popping in to remind everyone about the recognition awards.

We want to validate the efforts and contributions of our members who give sooo much. This community is special because of the efforts of its members, and we all want to honor that.

NOW: get to nominating, if you haven't already!

Remember, each BYC member may nominate one member each month for each of the three recognition categories: BYC Friend, BYC Educator, and BYC Spirit. That's three nominations each month, and we want to see more submissions!

Use the Nomination Submission Form to make your suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[squeakyballs]

I spent a bunch of money on fancy fertilized eggs. They survived USPS, but I'm picking them off one by one.

I'm a horrible person.

10 are developing, I dropped one of those and glued it shut with sparkly gold nailpolish (I panicked).

1 is a "maybe" but probably a quitter.

2 appear to be duds.

1 was a dud and then I accidentally ate it.

They are due to hatch next Thursday. If they last that long.