Arizona Chickens

[Bobby Basham]

Hey, I know its a long shot, but does anyone here have the contact info for a good drywall installer? I've still got a hole in my ceiling, and the guy my plumber recommended isn't answering his phone. If anyone has a lead, please shoot me a PM.

I won't ask how you got a hole in your ceiling, possibly from that hard party life with the chickens, you know how entertaining they are...LOL! Either the guy is very busy, or he doesn't want to be bothered. Kinda sounds like another unlicenced Contractor, ripping off folks who are now chasing him for unfinished jobs, and probably thinks you're one of them trying to get your money back. I've seen several hundred of those cases come accross my desk this year.

Don't go by references as far as your Uncle's oldest son's grand daughter's baby daddy first cousin's father-in-law's nephew's first-cousin removed. They'll get you every time. If it's under $1,000 dollars, the offender can't be charged as an unlicensed contractor, but I've seen cases where folks have been ripped off for over $15,000. For some reason, it's charged as a Class One Misdemeanor. That amount of money would make me hire the Hatfields AND McCoys to take that sucker out. But then, you wouldn't get any restitution.

People make the mistake of writing a check for several thousand dollars up front, and then continue writing checks as the jerk demands more money along the way, and then he walks away from the job, not answering his phone or returning emails. On top of that, his work was shotty to being with, which will cost you MORE money to undo all the crap that he did that wasn't up to specification.

This is not your case, and the guy hasn't set foot in your house yet. Your best bet, in my opinion, would be to check out the yellow pages, then check EVERY ONE of those businesses on the AZ Registrar of Contractors website. It's almost like the Better Business Bureau, and it will show the number of complaints and times a business has been reported and/or licenses revoked.

A hole in the ceiling may also involve some structural/leakage/pest issues, which could run into the $$$$. Don't get some chicken-head, drunk uncle or inlaw/relative (that's we called them back east) for the job. Check out a particular company, and pay alittle more, if necessary, to have the job done right the FIRST time, instead of some knucklehead slapping a temporary bandaid on the problem.

Sorry for being off-topic, and don't want to sound like a preacher man, but any info and advice that I can provide to help another fellow human being is not in vain, and I'm hoping you all can extend the same to me. There appears to be more to this Board (in a good way) than just raising chickens. I like the fact that yes, we get off topic on occasion, but there are folks out there who can help us with our non-fowl issues. If someone who's raising birds mentions an issue about their kids having issues with fowl/life in general because of developmental issues or whatever, financial ways to cut corners on feed bills, getting cheap lumber, it's great that you folks jump right in there and do some PM's.

I think that's what makes this board 'WHOLE". We engulf our whole being, extending beyond our feathered companions, though they still play an important role in our lives. Okay, this makes about my third essay for the day, and I'll shut up. I hope everyone has a Blessed week. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[Bobby Basham]

Whewwwww...finally got through all 3,107 pages of this Forum. You folks are truly entertaining, and the ideas about the grape vines and cucumbers are totally awesome. I got a seed book in the mail several months ago and for the life of me, can't find it. I hope it didn't get tossed in the recycle bin. Thanks to those who recommended different places around town to those seeds and plants.

I think I'll stick around here 'cause I'm gonna need plenty advice down the road when I become a chicken parent. Maybe I should invest in some baby monitors, 'cause you know I'm gonna be a nervous wreck.

Bless Bones and Bless Goodness (I heard an old Mother from church say that years ago...LOL). Okay, this is where I run to the bathroom and start speaking in tongues so the neighbors won't call 911, just kidding...LOL!. You folks rock big time, and I appreciate all the knowledge shared from the newbies to the seasoned folks. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[AnotherKim]

I need your thoughts on the best chickens for our extreme heat. I really wanted Silkies, but now I'm not sure. If I'm getting them for eggs, it makes better sense to get standards, right? I'm re-opening my daycare, so I think I'll need hardy birds, too. I plan to have them fenced away from the kids for the most part, but it would be nice to take the kids in the run sometimes. I'll be keeping goats in there as well. Leaning toward Nigerian Dwarfs.
I've been debating my fencing and homing needs. I think I may use pallets for my fence and "barn". I have tons of chicken and hog wire to "line" and cover the run. Then I thought I'd grow some vines over that. We'll see. The hubby is not on board with this at all. I think that once we don't have to buy eggs and milk, he'll be a little happier about it.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I need your thoughts on the best chickens for our extreme heat. I really wanted Silkies, but now I'm not sure. If I'm getting them for eggs, it makes better sense to get standards, right? I'm re-opening my daycare, so I think I'll need hardy birds, too. I plan to have them fenced away from the kids for the most part, but it would be nice to take the kids in the run sometimes. I'll be keeping goats in there as well. Leaning toward Nigerian Dwarfs.
I've been debating my fencing and homing needs. I think I may use pallets for my fence and "barn". I have tons of chicken and hog wire to "line" and cover the run. Then I thought I'd grow some vines over that. We'll see. The hubby is not on board with this at all. I think that once we don't have to buy eggs and milk, he'll be a little happier about it.

Really, with the right care (plenty of shade and water) most breeds will be okay here. I would be more concerned with making sure you have breeds that are not aggressive since you are going to be doing daycare. And if you are going to be large enough to be licensed, you need to find out health department regs.

In general I would avoid game breeds & hatchery birds (those from exhibition strains tend to be less aggressive than their hatchery counterparts).

Brahmas tend to be quite gentle without being boring. Plymouth rocks are another good breed. Silkies and polish should be fine.

 

[Mikey D]

I need your thoughts on the best chickens for our extreme heat. I really wanted Silkies, but now I'm not sure. If I'm getting them for eggs, it makes better sense to get standards, right? I'm re-opening my daycare, so I think I'll need hardy birds, too. I plan to have them fenced away from the kids for the most part, but it would be nice to take the kids in the run sometimes. I'll be keeping goats in there as well. Leaning toward Nigerian Dwarfs.
I've been debating my fencing and homing needs. I think I may use pallets for my fence and "barn". I have tons of chicken and hog wire to "line" and cover the run. Then I thought I'd grow some vines over that. We'll see. The hubby is not on board with this at all. I think that once we don't have to buy eggs and milk, he'll be a little happier about it.

I have very limited experience, that being said...

I personally believe they are like people.

Even within the species, some are good with heat, some not.

Some are friendly, some not so much.

Smaller thinner birds are supposed to whether the heat better.

Heavily feathered, bigger birds are not supposed to.

But I think it comes down to the individual bird.

So there you go...no help at all!

 

[MagicChicken]

The planning stages have already started, just alittle worried about the retirement issue, and would love to come home to some creatures/feathered friends who will realize that I'm their provider of food, goodies and companionship, and they will show unconditional love in return. Is that too much to ask for?

Umm, Bobby, I hate to say this but the chickens will only care about your companionship as long as you have food and goodies. Make especially sure you are not wearing sandals if you have run out of treats for them. They will let you know when they are displeased, and it can be a painful message!

I need your thoughts on the best chickens for our extreme heat. I really wanted Silkies, but now I'm not sure. If I'm getting them for eggs, it makes better sense to get standards, right? I'm re-opening my daycare, so I think I'll need hardy birds, too. I plan to have them fenced away from the kids for the most part, but it would be nice to take the kids in the run sometimes. I'll be keeping goats in there as well. Leaning toward Nigerian Dwarfs.
I've been debating my fencing and homing needs. I think I may use pallets for my fence and "barn". I have tons of chicken and hog wire to "line" and cover the run. Then I thought I'd grow some vines over that. We'll see. The hubby is not on board with this at all. I think that once we don't have to buy eggs and milk, he'll be a little happier about it.

Kim, it might depend on if the eggs are for you, for selling as hatching eggs, or for selling to egg-eating customers. Egg-eating customers might prefer larger eggs. In the Heritage Large Fowl thread Bob Blosl just pointed out that his bantams take much less feed, produce just as many eggs and taste just as good as a large fowl chicken. And they win more in shows. He says he gets as much for the eggs (may be hatching eggs) and the started birds as he does for his large fowl. So if you're eating your own eggs you might be just fine with bantams.

I want large fowl because I think a bunch of the large fowl breeds are in trouble, but there are some strong arguments for bantams.

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote: Overcrowding isn't really all that much of a concern. You can trim them back however much you need if it comes to that. I can't remember the price, but they're somewhere between $30-40 each. You can find them cheaper at Home Depot or Lowes, but they might not be as tall. They are very heat tolerant. Up into the late 1950's, most of the nation's table grapes were grown in Pinal County.

Civano Nursery (on Houghton Rd, between Irvington & Valencia) had several varieties of grapes when I stopped in a few weeks ago, including some Arizona natives. They said that they carry grapes most of the year but early fall is a really good time to plant them. I would also try Mesquite Valley Growers, Harlows, or Magic Garden Nursery.

Gallo, I had no idea Pinal County grew so many grapes back then. Very cool!

 

[Mikey D]

Eleven chooks in the coop tonight.

Got the projector mounted.

Got the soffett rocked & beaded.

Gonna teach the kiddies about rear disks on a deuce & a half tomorrow.

G'night all!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Civano Nursery (on Houghton Rd, between Irvington & Valencia) had several varieties of grapes when I stopped in a few weeks ago, including some Arizona natives. They said that they carry grapes most of the year but early fall is a really good time to plant them. I would also try Mesquite Valley Growers, Harlows, or Magic Garden Nursery.

Gallo, I had no idea Pinal County grew so many grapes back then. Very cool!

I was at MVG two days ago and they had lots. Yeah, early fall is an excellent time to plant trees/vines. It's not too hot yet it gives them enough time to get established before the tops go dormant and the roots continue to grow throughout the winter/early spring (albeit very slowly) before they bud out. Indeed, they get their bare root trees/vines from their distributors in Jan. and pot them and then hold them until Sept. before they put them on sale. Right now is when you can find the best selection there. But, like you said, they have them available all the time. The ones that don't sell the first year they re-pot in larger pots and raise the price.

When I was first learning about desert grape growing I read all of the relevant papers put out by the Pima Co. Cooperative Extension. It was a great resource. That's where I learned about Pinal Co. being the top producer of table grapes. Driving across the county now it's hard to imagine. I've not seen a single vineyard. I'd love to be able to see where that all happened and know what they're growing now.

 

[AnotherKim]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I keep going back and forth on Bantams. The eggs are just for my family, so small eggs wouldn't be a problem. My daycare is a small, home care, so I don't think I'll have a problem with licensing, especially if the chicks are fenced. The state never questioned me when we had pygmy goats.