Arizona Chickens

[Sonoran Silkies]

Thanks for the advice, I had heard that Anna apples did well even as low in altitude as we are and as hot as we get. I did find out though , they need another pollinator near by. I have had peaches, plums and apricots before, they did ok but my efforts were nothing to brag about. An attack of a boring beetle or whatever it was did them in, I remember the peaches did the best though. Hoping Gilbert revises it's chicken restrictions soon, I'm chomping at the bit to start my coop and use all this stuff I've been gathering. I just can't get enough of all of this stuff, i think I'm hooked. Meanwhile I'm still learning and drawing up plans. Thanks again

Most fruit trees require a separate tree for pollination, although a few are self-fruitful. If you don;t have nearby neighbors with the same kind of tree, it would be a good idea to get two of each rather than one. There are ways to plant them so that they will essentially grow as if they were one multi-trunked tree. (I think Gallo posted a link that mentions that). Also, before purchasing, doing your homework to know which variety best suits your needs, whether it needs another variety, the same variety or is self-fruitful is a good idea.

When I am at a nursery and see a bargain that seems too good to pass up, I check out their Sunset Western Gardening to see if it really is a good choice. Most of the nurseries have their own copy, and/or have copies for sale. This is the best gardening gardening book I have found that is not very specific to things like desert plants, native Arizonan plants, etc.

 

[azhenhouse]

Ahh nice... Yea.. This cold weather was a first for me.. I was born and raised in Phx.
I think I lost a total of 7 chickens this winter, due to the cold. Most of them were 3month olds, but a few were older, just smaller.
But thats ok.. I have around 100 total right now.. with more on the way.

I was born in Phoenix too, but was raised in Round Valley. After I moved away from R. V. I moved to Phx where I lived for many years. Eventually, I got tired of the heat and moved back to the mountains. I would never purposely move back to the valley...Not that I don't love all you desert dwellers. We are only a few miles away from the reservation, and twenty minutes from fishing and camping. Can't beat that! I'll take the four seasons any day. So far, I have not lost any poultry to the cold, not even any frostbite. They're a little grouchy with each other because they have been cooped up a lot, but that will soon change. It's definitely more work for us to take cafe of them in the winter. We have to carry milk jugs full of water to the coops because all the hoses have been put up for the season, and we have to buy extra straw to put down over the snow to keep feet from getting frostbite, but it's all good. You'll soon adjust to the climate change and will love it.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I know so many people here that would love to have those chicks. I'll meet you half way, and take them from you. Bring some mealworms, too.

If I my wife hadn't promised them to someone, I'd try my best to get them up there! Last spring three of Puddin's nest-mates went to live in Show Low. I was so happy that they would never know the heat of a Tucson summer. BTW, I'm very envious of your location. We spend an inordinate amount of time up on the lakes and creeks up there. Four seasons would be so nice too.

Gallo - HI! Just sent you a delayed email. Nasty wind today here in the 'hood.

That wind was terrible! Come visit!

Quote:
I love that one too. It's so true.

Just found this thread. We are in Pinetop, AZ. Hi everyone.

Hey, we're glad you found us!

I HAVE A BROODY!!!

How many chicks do you think I can put under her! Wahoo!

Yay for broodies!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I love hearing about everyone's experiences with growing fruit trees in AZ. Sonoran Silkies, I'm very envious of your mature trees. I remember you said how you wished you had planted more trees right when you moved to your house, it has inspired me to get moving on my own trees here. I'll have to look for Sunset Western Gardening. AZBootsie, Pistachio trees were going to be the first trees I planted, then I found out that they need 800 chill hours.

With your elevation at 3000', you might be right on the cusp of being able to grow them. With those you need a male and a female (one male is enough to fertilize something like nine female trees). Our large nursery here in Tucson always has them in stock. As a consolation, I think we're going to plant two almond trees, just as soon as I can get these two giant blue agave space-wasters to flower.

Maybe next year we can try to organize an AZ BYC fruit tree scion exchange.

 

[Fuzzybird]

I learned so much about weeds and what chickens like to eat with this forum! My chickens thank you all also!Please tell me is this broad leaf weed that is every where, is the one that produces those awful one thorned seeds that get into the dogs feet and our shoes? When we moved hear last Aug we battled those nasty things! Those poor dogs and now it seems we just got ahead of them and no more in feet. We do have these weeds tho and I never thought it would be these weeds that had those thorny seeds. But now some of the weeds in the corner of the yard looks like they may be developing the seeds!
My husband is out now trying to get them all down just in case!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I learned so much about weeds and what chickens like to eat with this forum! My chickens thank you all also!Please tell me is this broad leaf weed that is every where, is the one that produces those awful one thorned seeds that get into the dogs feet and our shoes? When we moved hear last Aug we battled those nasty things! Those poor dogs and now it seems we just got ahead of them and no more in feet. We do have these weeds tho and I never thought it would be these weeds that had those thorny seeds. But now some of the weeds in the corner of the yard looks like they may be developing the seeds!
My husband is out now trying to get them all down just in case!

It looks like Little Mallow (Malva parvaflora) to me. Here's a little blurb about it (near bottom half of page).

 

[Novaleigh]

I got a partridge silkie the other day, and she seemed to do nothing but sleep! Now I am afraid she is dying. I think she is sleeping so much, that she is not eating or drinking enough. I force fed and forced her to drink. She perked up a bit, and is now back to sleeping. What gives?? Will she always be like this? Will she never snap out of it?

 

[motherof7]

There you are. I was looking for you yesterday but could't find you. I will add you to my friends list.
How are the broody hens doing?

I still only have the one. She's doing great though. I can't even get her up now. She looks so determined.

You'll have to show me how to add a friend...

 

[motherof7]

Thanks so much for the welcome everyone.

 

[itsredcandy]

I learned so much about weeds and what chickens like to eat with this forum! My chickens thank you all also!Please tell me is this broad leaf weed that is every where, is the one that produces those awful one thorned seeds that get into the dogs feet and our shoes? When we moved hear last Aug we battled those nasty things! Those poor dogs and now it seems we just got ahead of them and no more in feet. We do have these weeds tho and I never thought it would be these weeds that had those thorny seeds. But now some of the weeds in the corner of the yard looks like they may be developing the seeds!
My husband is out now trying to get them all down just in case!

We get these weeds too. The good news is they come out of the ground pretty easily and the chickens love to eat them. It's the Puncture Vine that produces the thrones in our yard. They are terrible and go straight through the bottom of flip flops and crocs.

http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/WEEDS/GRAPHICS/FIG95.GIF
http://www.sunset.com/garden/garden-basics/how-to-control-weeds-00400000043681/page13.html