Arizona Chickens

[SherrieT]

Quote: Looks roo to me too

 

[SherrieT]

Well, not all the finishing touches are on it but at last the chicks I hatched are home. They had incredible "foster parents" but so glad I finally have them with me !!!!

In the beginning





Coco: "Mommy, when are you going to pay attention to me?"



Grandson making sure the wooden "inspiration eggs" are in the right place



Hey Hey The Gangs All HERE !!!




"It's green. I'm not putting that in my mouth"



Gotta love a grandson who likes sitting in a chicken coop with his grandma




Bookcase left here when I moved in. Now a nesting box. This is going to be put on it's side and the roost is going to be much higher



Coco: "If I ignore them they will just go away"



SFH roo admitting defeat to the EO roo

 

[pastrymama]

I have been reading through the Old-Timers thread for the last couple of weeks and got through the first 570 pages (800+ Total). Whatever you do, read the first, original post, because some sensitive newbies with their pretty pink fu-fu coops and diaper-wearing lap chickens may be offended. They explain how raising chickens was back in the day for eggs and meat. Their chickens weren't/aren't spoiled, but were/are well-kept.

These folks shoot straight from the hip, and can help eliminate alot of drama going on with today's small flocks, which the OT's have never seen, and it's up to you to accept or reject what they have to offer. And, don't believe everything you read in those "how to" chicken books.

One main thing that really disturbed me, and an issue I never thought about, is that if more cities allowed chickens, it would increase the likelihood of more knuckle-head ignorant, irresponsible, negligent chicken owners which could probably bring in disease and no telling what other type of cooties into the human population. I'm not talking about the folks here 'cause truly you love and care about your birds or you wouldn't be on this board in the first place, but you'll always find some out there just like the ones who neglect their furry pets and farm animals with unsanitary conditions, neglect, lack of food, water, shelter, abuse.

Their main goal is sharing how good husbandry over the years results in a healthy, thriving flock with minimal issues, no matter if you have hatchery chicks or expensive stock from a true breeder. The health issues and dramas voiced these days from the newbies are unheard of to the Old-Timers. A $200 vet bill for a chicken? No way.

Just my opinion, I encourage you to go to the OT thread, because you may do yourself and your chickens an injustice if you don't heed some of their advice, and many of the minute, nit-picky backyard issues can be eliminated. Raising chickens should not be as complicated as some have made it out to be today. It wasn't complicated and drama-laden back in the day, so why should it be any different now.

This has not been a paid advertisement of the OT's, and I approve this message...LOL!

--BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

i haven't read the OT thread, but i am willing to bet that i would have to agree with their way of raising birds, to an extent. when i set out on having this hen party in my backyard, i made a deal with the fireman on how it would run. i did a lot of reading and a very good friend of mine who is now in his 60s gave me some very good advice. there are certain things that i will treat for(mites, lice, worms, cocci, random roo falling in the pool and giving himself pneumonia by aspiration), anything else will be culled. and by culled, i mean CULLED! i can't afford to have an illness run through my flock, i won't watch a bird slowly die to waterbelly or internal laying, infectious coryza, IB, ILT, fowl cholera or anything that presents itself as such needs to be dealt with immediately. i quarrantine all new birds for 30 days, treat for lice/mites/worms, but have recently just done hatching eggs.

i won't take a chicken to the vet, my dogs cost enough and the fireman would kill me. if it is sick, it needs to be put down. those that know me understand that i adore having chickens and ducks and do the best i can for them. biosecurity all the way! but they are farm animals(so i tell myself) and i don't name them anymore, i don't carry them around and try not to get attached. even my kids understand this now.

but, all that being said, i give extra protection to my silkies. they have their own coops and are not allowed out. i won't chance wild birds giving them something. they are way too cute! still no names.

that's just how we roll over here.

 

[pastrymama]

SherrieT

your EO roos look like mine!!!!!

 

[SherrieT]

I have some extra EO roos with white legs if anyone is interested. They are lovely, just white legs. Planning on freezer camp in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Quote:
Looks like a roo. Age would help.

 

[pimachickens]

Great job SherriT! I'm so glad you finally have everyone home.

AZTiff, I vote Roo.

 

[Billiam]

I vote hen. I keep hearing that my vote counts so there you go. Oh, they weren't talking about chickens? Well tough!

 

[Billiam]

I get to go to the feed store and pickup three, maybe four chicks this weekend. Everything is ready and I can't wait! I have five black australorps right now so I am looking forward to adding some color to the flock. Anyone else getting new additions soon?

 

[rufus]

Ok my AZ chicken experts. Is this a rooster?

Looks like Sunday dinner to me. Look for those sickle shaped feathers along the side of the body and the tail. In some breeds you can tell about three of four weeks along by looking at the comb. Compare them one against another. You will eventually see what I mean.

Also, watch them for a while. If you have more than one rooster, they will start to spar.