Arizona Chickens

[Eselpee]

Wow, 2932 pages of AZ comments. That's a lot of info!

I am thinking of getting some easter eggers based on the duel description of friendly and hardy. Where could I get some in NW AZ? I am here hoping to learn about chickens so I can bring some home to a competent owner. I live in Kingman that after 25 years in Vermont, which seems like a different planet.

I would guess that coyotes can be an issue, apparently scorpions as well, and probably snakes? I have a small chain link fenced-in backyard, all dirt. What kind of a coop might be a good choice for a novice and no more than 3 hens? What else do I need to know to keep my flock safe?

I look forward to getting to know you all!!

 

[Demosthine]

I just wanted to send a shout out to Mama Hen for having my girls and I over to see her chickens. They girls had a blast and are wanting some now. My wife ended up throwing a huge temper tantrum, at almost 30 years old, and ended up not going. Wow, I never expected such childish behavior from her about this.

I may end up getting some chickens anyway. You know, it's one thing if I just jumped out and bought them, but I've tried to include her in the decision. If she won't even learn and experience it, well, it leaves the decision up to me now, as far as I'm concerned. I'll start out with chicks, though. I like the idea Mikey D gave me about them bonding more with the family.

Thanks for all the help so far. I'm sure more questions will come up soon!
Scott

 

[Fuzzybird]

Scott, Some people are VERY afraid of chickens. You sure that is not what is going on with your wife?
I wish you and the girls luck with this.

 

[LMS]

I agree with Fuzzybird -- my mom has threatened to stop coming over to our house if we get chickens. (And it's not like I ever said they'd be running free in the house or even in the yard when she comes over.) My dad has tried hard to discourage me b/c of one experience he had as a kid where he went to visit his friend's working farm and their job was to collect the eggs in the morning before breakfast. He said the coop smelled so bad he could smell it across the yard and refuses to believe that anyone can have a non-smelly coop in their backyard. (I've seen it a few times already with friends and neighbors who have coops, so I know it's possible. One gives me all her bedding and the smell of the pine shavings is so strong, you can't even tell there's chicken poop in there.)

I'd try to talk to her and get to the bottom of her issues first. It's generally a bad idea to incorporate any animal into a family if not everyone is on board. Maybe a compromise that she'll NEVER have to deal with any of the upkeep (including any emergency care if she's alone with them -- do you have a neighbor she could call just in case, or something)?

 

[itsredcandy]

Flood irrigation today! All of my flock are going to be SOOOO happy! The just LOVE eating all of the bugs who are desperately running for higher ground!

Originally Posted by Mikey D

Now that needs a video!
I have to agree

 

[itsredcandy]

Have a nice day!

TMI...TMI...a la la la la la.... a la la la la la

 

[itsredcandy]

Yay Portland/PDX!

Pima & Itsred...what parts of PDX? I lived in SW, SE and far E, worked downtown, NW, clackamas and beaverton areas.....
I am happy to be moving closer to water, and trees, although not so excited about all of the creepy-crawlies

And I'm gonna miss and worry about my Ladies so much......oh yeah, and my DH too!!

Gallo, I love your tantrum smiley, too...where do you find/how do you use ones that aren't in the BYC smiley options??

Born in Portland, raised in lower SE, lived near Johnson creek Fred Meyer, 122nd & Holgate, Hillsboro, Wilsonville, North Plains. Then down here for 6.5 years.

 

[itsredcandy]

taking a breather.... this has been quite the month.

Israel from June 1 - June 11.

Son #1 got married on June 20th in SLC and we had an open house for them here last night.

June18th, my receptionist's mother died and her funeral was the 22nd.

Too much to do and too little time.

Got the coop cleaned today, went to The Feed Barn, The Pet Food Depot and Western Ranchman. I buy something different at each. Put a new AC unit into the big coop. Put some cloth over the pop door to help keep the cool in and my Barred Rock figured it out immediately... she is so smart and taught the others how to push it out of the way to get to the run... BUT... most are staying inside now. I set it on 85 so it runs till it hits 81, shuts off and then doesn't turn on again until it gets up to 87, they'll survive in the big coop.

I feel badly for the easter chicks in grow out pen 1 and for the NYD Icelandics in grow out pen 2 as they are right in the heat... the pens are semi-shaded by the oleanders on the south but there is only one side open... the north side and it is warm. I keep putting Ice in their waterers and they all crowd around.

I've got two EEs, two australorps and1 PW leghorn that I need to sell from my Easter hatch.

I had a guy that I thought was going to buy my black sumatra hen but then, he stopped e-mailing me...amazingly, she continues to lay in all of this heat. I'm down to about 6 eggs a day with 30 hens! Lets see what the AC does for me.

It's our 25th anniversary today.

Have a great weekend and Happy Fourth!

Luv y'all,

M

Wow, I get 2-6 a day from my 7 layers.

 

[itsredcandy]

Grew up near 39th and Glisan (Laurelhurst/Hollywood area). Then lived in Boring in my 20's (Yes, there really is a town called Boring, Oregon. And yes, it really is). Moved to AZ in 1998, and I would never go back. The water and green were nice, but I just can't handle all that rain. The desert is where I belong.

I wish you the best of luck in your new home. Don't be a stranger!

I'm right there with you. The green was nice but the rain was not. I lived there for the first 31 years of my life. Never plan to move back

 

[Demosthine]

Scott, Some people are VERY afraid of chickens. You sure that is not what is going on with your wife?
I wish you and the girls luck with this.

If she would admit that's what it is, we could deal with that. Heck, I'd be a whole lot more inclined to giving up the endeavour for awhile and working it out. Instead, she'll only say it's 'cause they are nasty, smell, disgusting things. She's obviously not been anywhere near them. Even one of her very close friends who has had chickens has told her I'm right about them being minimal work, minimal fuss and minimal smell.

I agree with Fuzzybird -- my mom has threatened to stop coming over to our house if we get chickens. (And it's not like I ever said they'd be running free in the house or even in the yard when she comes over.) My dad has tried hard to discourage me b/c of one experience he had as a kid where he went to visit his friend's working farm and their job was to collect the eggs in the morning before breakfast. He said the coop smelled so bad he could smell it across the yard and refuses to believe that anyone can have a non-smelly coop in their backyard. (I've seen it a few times already with friends and neighbors who have coops, so I know it's possible. One gives me all her bedding and the smell of the pine shavings is so strong, you can't even tell there's chicken poop in there.)

I'd try to talk to her and get to the bottom of her issues first. It's generally a bad idea to incorporate any animal into a family if not everyone is on board. Maybe a compromise that she'll NEVER have to deal with any of the upkeep (including any emergency care if she's alone with them -- do you have a neighbor she could call just in case, or something)?

Yeah, my Mom is that way. Her relatives had chickens when she was a kid and there was this one particular rooster that was downright evil and would go all-out attack mode any time someone came in to the coop. She was attacked multiple times until she finally took a 2x4 board in with her and knocked him *** over teakettle. I can understand her bias towards it, although she has the disgusting and dirty belief, too. That may be how they were kept 50 years ago with her family. I don't know. My younger brothers and sisters would easily change her mind after being over a few times.

So far, I've told her she doesn't have to do anything with them. They are my project, but I've been trying to communicate and be open about them. That was the entire point about going out today. She has it stuck in her mind that Mama Hen cleaned everything up really well and gave the chickens a bath before the girls and I went over, just to make it look good. We argued about it for a good half hour tonight and she used the same four-word excuse the entire time. She can't come up with any real or productive reasons against it. Anyway, we'll keep trying. There's a few months before ordering starts in October.