Arizona Chickens

[Mikey D]

Howdy folks!

I know I've just been putting up responses - no real news from Papa's Peepers - I've a slipped disk which slipped again & put me down for 4 days (Yeah, on our 3 day weekend).

We let the peepers & cluckers out for their first outing Monday! What a show!

I had been taking them out one at a time so I could be a helicopter papa but my son David was home and I figured we could keep a watch on the yard and the skies together.

They had a great time. Max loved it too. This is why I got these silly birds.

Everyone except the fat Cornish-x's came out of the coop & wandered & scraatched & chased the dog and had a great time!

I'm still afraid of an errant hawk or a bobcat or sumptin but I'm working up my courage.

My yard is fenced but not tightly, how much risk would there be in letting them free range while I'm not hovering?

I know they could get over the fence as I have many "chicken ladders" but would they? (I"m guessing so)

I just wanted to say thanks to all of ya'll for helping me with my silly newb questions & putting up with my bad jokes and ramblings.

Mikey

 

[Tanichca]

So, anyone going to be at the show at the Pima County Fairgrounds this weekend? I'll be there every day, along with my little brother...

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Quote:
Mikey,
I think they are still too young to free-range without supervision. At this age they can fall prey to so many more things because they are so small.
The cooper's hawk that tried to take my full grown chicken would have no problem with a 9 week old chick. A cat could easily take them now too. If they don't have a mama hen to protect them, they are better off in the coop when you aren't around. Your coop is plenty big enough for them.
My daughter and I have been taking ours all out for a couple of weeks now. We just got them use to the fact that the silver pie plate means treats and they follow it right in when we want to put them up.

 

[Mikey D]

Quote:
Mikey,
I think they are still too young to free-range without supervision. At this age they can fall prey to so many more things because they are so small.
The cooper's hawk that tried to take my full grown chicken would have no problem with a 9 week old chick. A cat could easily take them now too. If they don't have a mama hen to protect them, they are better off in the coop when you aren't around. Your coop is plenty big enough for them.
My daughter and I have been taking ours all out for a couple of weeks now. We just got them use to the fact that the silver pie plate means treats and they follow it right in when we want to put them up.

Great behavioral conditioning idea! - Thanks for the advice!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hey Mikey, isn't it great watching them explore the world? It's one of the best parts of chicken raising. Beckyhsinglsc, gave good advice. They are too small yet and it seems like everything thinks chicken tastes good. Short supervised excursions are good though. Sorry to hear about the back. I had a long history of back problems and I can totally empathize.

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
Had a Sharp Shinned Hawk swoop low right over my head while doing chores this afternoon.... Know how you feel and they are really cool birds when not in my yard

Not sure if it was after the sparrows etc. in the yard or our chickens, but after seeing me it flew off.

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
Too far away for me, but have a great time!

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Just wondering who is going to the Tour De Coops on Dec 3rd?

 

[Mahonri]

Spent time cleaning the run and putting down more sod along the run and pool, and planting flowers in the front yard. I have TOO much to do and not enough time to do it in before next Thursday. Got 8 eggs today... I SO wish they were fertile... my favorite splash Ameraucana hen lays the BLUEST eggs.... and she's laying them regularly.

I'm wasted after all the work today... I hate getting old.

I've got to remember to ask Home Depot if they have Sevin dust next time I'm there. Has anyone found it there? I'm about out of the poultry dust that I bought at Western Ranchman.

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
The Home Depot here has seven dust..... FWIW