Arizona Chickens

[tightwad]

Quote:
Hi Brit! I'm in Mesa too. I have 3 EEs and 2 LBs but mine are only 4 mos. When my other hens were about 5 mos the ones that started first were the BRs then my EEs followed a week or two later. The eggs are small at first but do get bigger. Plus it's really hot and that can slow things down. I use a personal mister that I got from Ace pointed at the run in the afternoon. We just put it on a timer as we're going out of town and I don't expect my teenager to remember to turn it on. Our coop is fairly open so there's pretty good air flow. An AC on the coop would be lovely but hubby would never go for it. He thinks it's bad enough that the shepherd is in the shop with the AC on all day.

 

[CaroleW]

I'm in (the west part of) Mesa too.

No AC for the coop here- it only has one solid wall and a solid nest box area with the rest 1/2" wire so it has good ventilation. DH set up a mister system for the run and the portable chicken tractor with a timer so it goes on about 4 times during the day.

They have lots of man-made shade and frozen ice bottles in the water. I also soak their food to make sure they are getting water with their food and give them melon and bananas occasionally.

I only have a flock of 3 (black stars and a RIR) and a flock of 4 golden sex-links all approximately 6 months old. I usually get 3-5 eggs a day so they are doing well in the heat for being young hens.

Also I have a question for you experienced chicken folks--
I think one of my black stars is deaf, she is always the last one to come running if her back is turned to me and she sticks to herself a lot I think because she doesn't like the other flock sneaking up on her and picking her feathers. She is also the least mature I think- her comb is very small and not very red like the other black star and I don't think she is laying.

I would like to know how to tell if she is really deaf and do I need to do anything special for her if she is? The two flocks are in the process of becoming one flock but the 3 are ladies (hand raised by kids) and the 4 are kind of mean feather pickers (raised on a farm- not socialized). I've had them since May so I'm new to chickens and could use some advice.

 

[Mikey D]

Quote:

There are alot of us in the East Valley. Jump in, the waters fine.

Great peeps on this forum - I actually visited two (thanks Meg & Tracy!) and've gotten the control tower excited about out upcomming chicken adventure!

 

[mclevinson]

Gallo; I sent you two Kombucha Scobies; Priority Mail today. You'll probably get them tomorrow, snag them right away so they don't die in this heat. I insulated well and put them in with an ice pack but it's so danged HOT.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!

I'll put some surveillance on the mailbox tomorrow!

 

[annekaelber]

Hello all!

We're on the verge of establishing a coop. The current plan is to research it to the 9th degree, build in October and hopefully stock it in the same month.

I'm looking for a chicken mentor. I'd like to find someone local to Mesa (I'm near Dobson and Main) who has an established coop. I'd eventually like to help with their backyard coop for a day or two, to try my hand at the work. We've got 3 adults and an adult child in our house, but 2 of the adults are physically limited (I'm one of them!) and I want to make sure we are not biting off more than we can chew.

Our desires are to start slow and build to eventually being able to have both the eggs and some fresh chicken meat. I foresee the meat part being way down the road, as I'm the only one who has stated I'd be willing to learn how to butcher and uhm (what's the word I want?) de-feather/prepare the chicken. (I hope I'm not speaking sacrilege here with a future plan to butcher chickens -- I've seen a real attachment to their egg-layers, among the posters here.... *smile*)

My husband's research suggests 3-4 layers will produce about a dozen eggs a week. We use that much just on Sunday Morning Omelets, so I'm wondering if 5-6 would be better. Is there a good "starting" number for a beginner?

We've got the spot we'd like to put the coop picked out, with a place to put a caged (all sides!) run for them, which will have afternoon/evening shade. Our lot has a gravel backyard. I know I need to clear the gravel, so the chickens don't eat it. Should I do anything else to the ground? It's just dirt under the gravel. The coop will be next to our container garden, under a 50% sun shade -- will that be a problem?

How big of a coop should we have for 5-6 chickens? Am I likely to want 20-30 chickens really fast (and therefore should plan a larger coop, instead of having to re-build)?

Where do I get my chickens and my chicken supplies? Is it possible to purchase chickens from another BYC member locally? What kind of chickens do I want? Could some locals tell me where they got their supplies from? What book(s) do you swear by in this hobby? Are there any local meet-up groups from the Mesa BYC community?

Willing to learn and would love to make some local friends in the BYC community!

Anne.

 

[ca]

Oh dear, another person succumbing to the chicken mania...

I can't really help as I live in Wickenburg but:

The current plan is to research it to the 9th degree, build in October and hopefully stock it in the same month. Make sure you have enough time to build! It always takes longer...

I'd be willing to learn how to butcher. Much easier than you think! I did it without instructions other than reading a book

My husband's research suggests 3-4 layers will produce about a dozen eggs a week. Depending on the breed 3-4 chickens should actually give you 3 eggs a day (maybe not in the winter)

Am I likely to want 20-30 chickens really fast? This is definitely a serious issue that needs to be considered!

What book(s) do you swear by in this hobby?
I have about 8

and think that actually the Raising Chickens For Dummies by Kimberley Willis and Rob Ludlow (Nifty here on the forum) is a great book. Once you delve deep you might want to consider the The Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow

As far as choosing a breed I would write down what you want in a breed (e.g. heat tolerant, lots of good meat, lots of eggs, friendly, etc.) and then see which breed combines most of those traits.

caught some sppeling here that needed attention...

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Quote:
Nice to meet you yesterday. The girls have adjusted well in their new digs. The little BLRW is spunky. Seems to rule the 2 others! Will post pics later. Have to get ready for work. I would rather stay home and watch the new gals.

Hey Chris! More chickens, yippee! I love chicken math!

Hey Petra,

Yup..Chicken mathstruck.... after I told you that I was good with 10!! I couldn't resist when Aurorarose had BLRW available.LOL These little gals are cuddlers. Will get some pics posted soon.

Chris

 

[kevs-chickadees]

Welcome Annekaelber. When we first started out we got most our stuff from Mesa feed barn on Broadway, just west of Mesa drive. They are pretty knowledgeable and have all the different supplies/food for you. They get in day old chicks every 2 weeks although that may have changed in these summer months, that is of coarse if you want hatchery stock. I'm sure there are plenty of people here local with little chicks or even older that are much better than the hatchery. All up to you and what you want.

 

[kevs-chickadees]

CaroleW, we have a hen that is partially blind. Don't know if she is completely blind in the one eye, Anyways.... she does about the same as what your black star does. She was intergrated with others and they tend to pick on her from time to time, when she gets sick of it she will fight back. (pretty feisty for a part blind one) I'm guessing yours will do about the same.