Arizona Chickens

[constance]

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I can't help except to offer sympathy.

That sounds like she is so uncomfortable. Hopefully one of the more experienced people on here can help. It is good that you have her inside. Wish I could more.

 

[mclevinson]

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Brenda...that was just mean.

Oh crum....LOL...I was not trying to be a mean girl...shuchks!

Yes, I saw "IT" and worse...I read the book. It just served to confirm what I knew all along. Storm drains are evil.

 

[mclevinson]

Quote:
I can't help except to offer sympathy.

That sounds like she is so uncomfortable. Hopefully one of the more experienced people on here can help. It is good that you have her inside. Wish I could more.

Oh that doesn't sound (or look) good. I'm glad she's out of the population. Poor thing. Well wishes are all I can offer, too new to chickens to be of much use.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Constance and mclevinson..thank you for responding. I have been taking care of my girls for 11 months now and this is the first real emergency. Phoebe got even worse after the video and I did take her to the emergency vet.

The Dr. said she was in critical condition and had to be put into an oxygen box. They will give her fluids and an anti-inflammatory shot. They say her throat is swelled and pretty sure she has a respiratory infection. They are keeping her over night until we can reach our vet in the morning. Dr. thinks she may need medcam (sp) and that we wouldn't be able to eat her eggs ever. (she hasn't started to lay yet)

I felt so helpless with her and do not want to see her pass away. I was just panicked. Dr. says it is a possibility but I am hoping for the best that she will pull through. Keep her in your prayers.

Will update tomorrow after the vet visit. I appreciate you lending your shoulder.


Chris

How I feel at the moment

 

[Mikey D]

Good morning fellow AZ peeps.

I sure hate breaking into this conversation but insomnia sometimes rules the night so please forgive a sleep deprived FNG.

I live in beautiful sunny "Limbo" AZ (a county island that is not quite Mesa, not quite Apache Junction) and am as of yet new to the chicken game.

I've just received tacit permission from my wife to get chickens (I've been pestering her for several years now) and am looking for advice on breeds and coops.

I figured on buying chicks from Ideal Poultry and spoke (on the phone) at length with an nice lady named Shannon there. From reading the BYC breeds index page I thought that the Crevecoeur would be ideal for the heat tolerance and temperament. Shannon said that they were white egg layers and all white egg layers are temperamental/skittish. (I tend to shy away from generalizations but know next to nothing about this topic). She recommended Cochins (your page says not good over 90 degrees), Salmon Faverolles and Black Langshans. She also said that any breed they sell (they are in South Texas) would do well in our climate. I'm afraid that our weeks of 110+ temperatures would do harm to any bird not suited to high temps.

In further reading the breeds page I found myself drawn to the barred plymouth rock as well (all climates & favorable temperament)

So this is me asking your opinions...
My parameters are:
I'd like 6 or so birds and am partial to a mixed set (a few of each breed). I'd like my grandchildren to be able to handle the birds (carefully of course) and would like a good supply of eggs as well. I have no interest in breeding them so no rooster (at this time). I have a fairly large (to me) backyard which is mostly dirt and weeds (no grass for this desert dweller) and will build a suitable coop (as soon as I figure out what suitable is) for the flock.

From my readings I think I have a pretty good handle on brooding (?correct term?) the chicks until they feather out. I figure that will have to be indoors so the little things don't cook outside. & we have an unused bathroom that will work out just fine. We have a few local feed stores that I can hit up for the feed. (to medicate or not to medicate, that is the question - hopefully not as I'm not a fan of additives)

One of my wife’s constraints on this enterprise is that we must be able to go on vacations without coming home to dead animals so I plan on self water-ers & feeders. I’ve also got commitments from two daughters to help out with the vacation care of the birds.

Thanks for putting up with such a long post from a noob and Mama Hen, good luck with your bird!

 

[AZBootsie]

Good Morning!!

The seed exchange sounds like alot of fun, please count me in. I have a ton of luffa seeds and will go through my seed box to find others that might interest someone.

Tracydr- I saw this link awhile back for free milkweed seeds. I have been meaning to send them a SASE, but haven't gotten around to it. img/smilies/welcome-byc.gif" alt="welcome-byc" />">http://www.freemilkweedseed.com/

Mikey D. Sounds like you are doing your reseach. Be sure and check out Gallo's page for ideas on hot climate coop set ups.

Mclevinson

Congratulations!!! HAVE YOU GOT THE BUG OR WHAT??? How many hatches does this make for you??

Mama Hen Chris- I hope your girl is going to be ok. She did look miserable. I spoke to the state vets office a few months ago and he was telling me about MG (mycoplasma gal....something). Guess there is alot of it going around the state. I googled it for research, but just browsed through the info. I really didn't want to add another illness to my worry list. Sending healing vibes your way. Sounds like she is in good hands. I didn't know they had oxygen tents for critters, pretty cool. That should make her much more comfortable. Please keep us updated.

Gallo, thank you for the info on tomatoes. This year I planted some started plants that I bought either at Target or Home Depot....called Sol something. They are suppost to set fruit in hot temps. Maybe they do, but they must not have much disease resistance. Mine have some sort of wilt. I miss my garden in Goodyear. My tomatoes usually wintered over and produced most of the year. I think I will order some of the varieties you mentioned and try them on the back porch. Maybe I can haul them in when it gets cold.

The rain the other night was great. We got a pretty good down pour. But, it rained on the pine shaving in a brooder on the back porch....smells like sour corn now...UGGG. I get to spend my morning cleaning up the mess.

 

[mclevinson]

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This is my first summer with chickens and they're all hanging in there except my black laced Wyandotte. I might suggest you take the rest of the month and all of August to build and learn. Your chicks would be better off in September and it would be less stressful for you.

If you only want 6 chickens you can probably garner a nice assortment from your fellow BYC'rs right around here. Even me (big wink)

 

[mclevinson]

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Oh my, this is #4, and the last for a while. I truly have kinda sorta too many right now. Anybody want my 4 little roos? They're cute as all get out but no room at the Inn, ya know?
edited for reality

 

[Arizonachicken]

Mikey D:

. I was in your same spot a few months ago. My final flock consists of a Buff Orpington hen, a Production Red hen,, 3 Ameraucana Pullets and one Copper Black Marans pullet. We are in Scottsdale, so no roosters. I have very young children, ages 5,4,3, 16 mos, and one on the way. All of the chickens let my kids hold them and carry them around. I'm not sure if they just gave up running away, or if they don't care! It seems like the more you handle them and give them treats, the more they will let you hold them. The little pullets even will fall asleep on my kids laps. (they are about 12 weeks now). I didn't opt for little chicks, I felt I had enough to take care of, and chicks just seemed too time consuming for me! We have a coop and run that my husband built and we let the girls out to free range in the yard every day. We have dogs, one with a taste for chicken, so I cant have the girls out all day, otherwise I would. Our coop has 3 nesting boxes, I think that should do for the 6. As it is the two layers use only one box! Ive consistently been getting 10 eggs a week out of the two hens. I hope this helps! Sorry for the rambling!

Mama Hen Chris: I sure hope she improves. She looked miserable, she's lucky to have you taking care of her so well. I don't think my husband would have tolerated a midnight vet visit!

. Do keep us updated, I sure hope she's all right!

Petra

 

[mclevinson]

Oh dear, the wet weather has made the humidity in the house go up and...well, the chicks in the garage have to go. Like, post haste. DH is NOT happy. I have Americauna mixes, two blue chicks (one with a crest) one Marans mix - 8 in all. 3 weeks old, sex unknown. Darn, really wanted to keep the blue ones.
The chicks from the new hatch are all doing just great. Shaun did you say you could still chick sit? The new hatch may need to be gone too, but I'll try to negotiate it.