Arizona Chickens

[Di Gibbs]

Do you think that would keep dogs from coming into our yard through an open gate? We can't fence it off.

~Di

 

[MagicChicken]

Incubator?

What fun!

Yeah, I'm looking forward to it! Now that I've managed to keep a small flock (3 birds) reasonably healthy through a year it's time for phase 2 of the chicken invasion. My goal is a self-sustaining breeding flock. Preferably a heritage line. No guarantees I'll have a broody hen when I need one. So I figured I'd get the incubator and get some hatching eggs and see how that process goes before I get into a heritage line for real. I have room to brood and raise half a dozen chicks in my existing chicken space. If this works I go into phase 3 - get a breeding trio, hatch about 30 eggs/year and cull heavily. Which means I'll eventually need breeding pens, grow-out area, bachelor quarters, and the chickens take over the yard. I'm aiming for a wintering flock of around 15 birds, including two breeding trios. That's kind of small for a closed flock. We'll see how it goes

 

[Phottoman]

Hi! I'm really interested in moving to Kingman, AZ after I retire. Can we have chickens in Kingman? I tried searching, and only found a pdf saying no chickens on small (about an acre) lots. SO and i love our chickens!!

What is it about Kingman that interests you? I'm about 15 miles West of Kingman in Golden Valley and we have no problems here with any animals AT ALL. Most of the lots here are 1.5 acre and larger (we have a 2.5 acre lot).

I checked with neighbors before investing my time and energy in chickens, and it comes down to ... it wouldn't have mattered if I asked or not. I have one rooster that is crowing his head off now (he started about two weeks ago) and the two closest neighbors haven't even heard him at all.

And just a side note, I wouldn't be interested AT ALL in moving to Kingman, way too crowded for the likes of me.

Photto

 

[Phottoman]

And btw, I let some of the chickens out of their coop / run tonight, for about an hour. I have two chicken tractors, and I only "trusted" one group out of their run. They are the older girls, almost 6 months old now, but no eggs yet.

They had a BALL running around the cage, stopping to investigate this and that, pecking at the ground, scratching, and all the while Mister Blue was just singing himself silly. He's in the "Younger Group," two months younger than the girls in the older coop.

I was spending some time with both sets of girls, watering, feeding, cleaning, and thought when I started, why not open the cage door and let them out. They all sat there for ten minutes at the open door before one of them ventured out. It was really funny to watch. Their first chance at 'freedom' and they didn't want to try.

The watering and feeding now is a much easier thing to do. I was looking on YouTube and came across a few things that I have started doing. Five gallon buckets with nipples on the bottom, and feeders made of 4" thin walled PVC piping, cost almost NOTHING, but feed isn't tossed around now like before, I am saving almost half what I was using in the past with them beaking and scratching (throwing out onto the ground) their food, and the watering pails keep the water fresh and clean, no more scratch getting into the water, or blowing dust. It really makes me feel proud of myself for getting these done this way.

Anyway, I have been getting people at work laughing about the antics I see in the girls (and Mr. Blue). Some one said that if they are THAT MUCH FUN, why isn't EVERYONE raising chickens? Hm m m m .....

My thought exactly.

Photto

 

[In2Ice]

What's up? No posts in over 24 hours

 

[simplyscrambled]

We've only driven through Kingman, and one reason is that it's exactly 1/2 way between his family in NM and mine in CA. Also, the cost of living is lower than where we are in now, and the weather. He says no snow, I say no 110+ for weeks on end!

We really are a 'putter around the house' kind of couple. He would love 2-5 acres, and myself, anything over 1 would be great. And we really enjoy our chickens!

I've looked online at places in Golden Valley, and it seems nice in many ways than Kingman. Of course, being online, there are many people that have posted that Golden Valley has problems with theft/drugs, but most places do.

We live in town, a University town of over 60 thousand, where we get to ride our bikes everywhere. I'm still not sure I want to leave here...I really love riding my bike where ever I need to go, without fussing about a car. So for now, I'm just trying to get a sense about Kingman and the surrounding areas from the forums I frequent!

Thanks for the bit of insight, I appreciate it!

~Diana

 

[Puffycheeks]

We've only driven through Kingman, and one reason is that it's exactly 1/2 way between his family in NM and mine in CA. Also, the cost of living is lower than where we are in now, and the weather. He says no snow, I say no 110+ for weeks on end!

We really are a 'putter around the house' kind of couple. He would love 2-5 acres, and myself, anything over 1 would be great. And we really enjoy our chickens!

I've looked online at places in Golden Valley, and it seems nice in many ways than Kingman. Of course, being online, there are many people that have posted that Golden Valley has problems with theft/drugs, but most places do.

We live in town, a University town of over 60 thousand, where we get to ride our bikes everywhere. I'm still not sure I want to leave here...I really love riding my bike where ever I need to go, without fussing about a car. So for now, I'm just trying to get a sense about Kingman and the surrounding areas from the forums I frequent!

Thanks for the bit of insight, I appreciate it!

~Diana

HI, not a chicken post but a friendly reminder, think about how close it is to all the gambling! Which of course brings all sorts of things with it!!! Just sayin'.

 

[Puffycheeks]

ATTENTION!!! A lot of Roosters and a few hens looking for new coops! I have several youngsters from this years hatch that need to go ASAP!!! Young Muscovies and turkeys too!


If you have any interest, please PM me, thanks!

 

[Phottoman]

We've only driven through Kingman, and one reason is that it's exactly 1/2 way between his family in NM and mine in CA. Also, the cost of living is lower than where we are in now, and the weather. He says no snow, I say no 110+ for weeks on end!

We really are a 'putter around the house' kind of couple. He would love 2-5 acres, and myself, anything over 1 would be great. And we really enjoy our chickens!

I've looked online at places in Golden Valley, and it seems nice in many ways than Kingman. Of course, being online, there are many people that have posted that Golden Valley has problems with theft/drugs, but most places do.

We live in town, a University town of over 60 thousand, where we get to ride our bikes everywhere. I'm still not sure I want to leave here...I really love riding my bike where ever I need to go, without fussing about a car. So for now, I'm just trying to get a sense about Kingman and the surrounding areas from the forums I frequent!

Thanks for the bit of insight, I appreciate it!

~Diana

As for the weather, yeah, it DOES get hot, no matter if you are in Kingman, Golden Valley or anywhere in West Arizona, or South AZ. I had planned on buying this place and thought that with property values doubling every ten years, this would be a gold mine and in ten years sell this and move to a four season climate like Williams, or something like that. Well, the crash knocked that all to hadies and back, so I am making the best of a bad situation here. I have the house, the 2.5 acres, and now my chickens. I doubt that I would be as happy anywhere else.

If the weather is too hot for you, do what you do now, stay indoors.

Riding your bike around here is not a good idea, most of our roads are dirt, unless you have the right KIND of bike, that would make it uncomfortable, plus there aren't that many places to GO in Golden Valley, but the population of Kingman is just that, population, crowded, and seemingly at times, very uneducated. But that is just a personal feeling, not for you to put in the bank or gamble on.

A reference was made to gambling, I used to go to Laughlin to play Bingo, but that got old real fast. I work too hard for my money to waste it on such silliness, but then my sister really aught to join GA, she spends way too much money in Laughlin. I think she thinks it is part of her retirement plan.

I have read many people in Phoenix and surrounding areas tell about the stress their chickens went through all summer with the heat. I have the same heat, maybe even more, but I haven't had to do anything other than make sure the chickens had enough water and shade. I have just in the past several days allowed the chickens out of their run, and they seem to be enjoying that.

All in all, my feeling is ... despite myself, it was a good move to move here in 2007, My girlfriend is NOT as happy here as I am, and I don't know what is going to happen there because of that. Only time can tell. Be sure that BOTH of you (or if there are kids, they too) are happy with the area, weather, and temps we have before you commit to a life long move.

Photto

 

[Billiam]

ATTENTION!!! A lot of Roosters and a few hens looking for new coops! I have several youngsters from this years hatch that need to go ASAP!!! Young Muscovies and turkeys too!


If you have any interest, please PM me, thanks!

Are those Americaunus in there or EE's? I love that gray one and the gray/brown one too.