Arizona Residents! I need your Help!

[m1chelle1]

Ok BYC Family,

My sister and brother in law live in Phoenix, and I am in the process of considering locations within 2 or so hours of Phoenix. I prefer the closer the better. My issue: i just dont understand how anyone in the "greater Phoenix area" can pasture raise their birds. Im from the pacific northwest, so i take things like rain and grass for granted, but i know that grass doesnt typically grow naturally in that area. Or am i wrong? And im not necessarily planning on planting normal "turf" or "grass" for my chickens, id want to plant useful vegetation (dandelions, clover, wild grasses, etc) forage that a chicken would like and eat in nature. But something that's Native to the Phoenix area. Im just drawing a huge blank on what can be done and am wondering what you all do? Something cost effective, im not into planting a bunch of grass and then having to water it 10 times a day to keep it alive, if you get what im saying. And im thinking a larger amount of chickens, so money would be a huge factor here. Any and all advice would be appreciated, im just at a loss as to how i would do this in that area!

I am also considering Prescott, Prescott Valley areas. I was told grass does grow naturally there, does anyone have any insight into this area too?? Same questions as above.

thanks all!!
M

 

[R2elk]

Ok BYC Family,

My sister and brother in law live in Phoenix, and I am in the process of considering locations within 2 or so hours of Phoenix. I prefer the closer the better. My issue: i just dont understand how anyone in the "greater Phoenix area" can pasture raise their birds. Im from the pacific northwest, so i take things like rain and grass for granted, but i know that grass doesnt typically grow naturally in that area. Or am i wrong? And im not necessarily planning on planting normal "turf" or "grass" for my chickens, id want to plant useful vegetation (dandelions, clover, wild grasses, etc) forage that a chicken would like and eat in nature. But something that's Native to the Phoenix area. Im just drawing a huge blank on what can be done and am wondering what you all do? Something cost effective, im not into planting a bunch of grass and then having to water it 10 times a day to keep it alive, if you get what im saying. And im thinking a larger amount of chickens, so money would be a huge factor here. Any and all advice would be appreciated, im just at a loss as to how i would do this in that area!

I am also considering Prescott, Prescott Valley areas. I was told grass does grow naturally there, does anyone have any insight into this area too?? Same questions as above.

thanks all!!
M

You may have better luck posting in one of the Arizona threads in the Where am I? Where are you! forum.

 

[m1chelle1]

You may have better luck posting in one of the Arizona threads in the Where am I? Where are you! forum.

thanks for the advice! Done! I considered it earlier, but figured id try my luck in this forum first

 

[aart]

Im from the pacific northwest, so i take things like rain and grass for granted,

And now living in NC and moving to AZ.....you're in for a real 'environment shock'.
Best of cLuck!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Posting on that Arizona thread is a great idea. I'd also suggest a call to the local extension office and chat with them. I don't know how much they will help you, some agents are better than others, but that is the type of thing they should be able to help you with.

Also check local laws and regulations. Make sure you can keep chickens the way you want to before you buy. State laws aren't usually a problem but county, city, town, or even HOA's can mess you up.

Good luck!

 

[thepluckypony]

We currently raise chickens within Phoenix. although grasses such as perrenial rye and bermuda grow NATURALLY here you are fooling yourself if you think you will not have to have a watering system in place. there's no way around it. it will cost money. Will it be too much of an investment? that's up to you. There are many different types of watering systems (flood irrigation - sprinkler systems- drip systems). That being said wherever you do take up residence you will be surprised how many plant species will seemingly creep up (mallow, dandelion, etc) our chickens pick at them but would not survive solely on foraging. The quail however eat these weeds down to the dirt.

please also consider how many chickens you plan on putting on what size lot. Rotating pastures takes abit longer here especially during the hotter months which is 8 months of the year give or take a few weeks. 20 chickens can take a pasture of grass down to a dirt patch here in no time lol.

i think (personally) the best system seems to be flood irrigation for cost and to keep green grass. but whilst the field is irrigating your chickens will need to be in a completely different (dry) place as well as their coop so that could become an issue. Coop might have to be located closer to the house then desired for example.

Are you planning on raising them solely free range with no additional feed? Do you have an idea on breeds you are looking to get? Alot of breed do not fair so well here in the heat

 

[m1chelle1]

We currently raise chickens within Phoenix. although grasses such as perrenial rye and bermuda grow NATURALLY here you are fooling yourself if you think you will not have to have a watering system in place. there's no way around it. it will cost money. Will it be too much of an investment? that's up to you. There are many different types of watering systems (flood irrigation - sprinkler systems- drip systems). That being said wherever you do take up residence you will be surprised how many plant species will seemingly creep up (mallow, dandelion, etc) our chickens pick at them but would not survive solely on foraging. The quail however eat these weeds down to the dirt.

please also consider how many chickens you plan on putting on what size lot. Rotating pastures takes abit longer here especially during the hotter months which is 8 months of the year give or take a few weeks. 20 chickens can take a pasture of grass down to a dirt patch here in no time lol.

i think (personally) the best system seems to be flood irrigation for cost and to keep green grass. but whilst the field is irrigating your chickens will need to be in a completely different (dry) place as well as their coop so that could become an issue. Coop might have to be located closer to the house then desired for example.

Are you planning on raising them solely free range with no additional feed? Do you have an idea on breeds you are looking to get? Alot of breed do not fair so well here in the heat

Thanks you! Very useful info. Ive been liking the idea of flood irrigation and maybe incorporating a drip system for gardens and such. I need to just read up on the different methodologies. Its very different than im used to. My brother in law uses drip for his citrus and some other native az plants and they do great. As for breed and amount of chickens, honestly its up in the air. Im a proponent of adapt to your environment, so im not going to get any real ideas about that until i have something picked out and then i want to adapt to size, climate, whats already growing here? etc. I just need to get the juices flowing in my head about what i have to look forward to and what needs more research. I want to take permaculture classes from ASU eventually, i just am trying to do some basic research now. As for chickens, i already have what i would consider "enough" experience with to where i feel comfortable adapting to wherever i land in AZ, as long as i can provide the right environment for them. Yes, i realize that chickens in AZ probably cant survive solely on forage, but i just wanted to kind of get a feel for a realistic forage idea, since i was kind of at a loss!