Can I get Southern AZ help please?

[GiddyMoon]

I have spent weeks looking things up on google and here. I need help from people who live in our climate. As you know, summers are hot but we get monsoons...so I see a lot of very open mainly wire coops..but then how do we handle that with the winters when it gets below freezing? We had intended to only have 5-10 chickens but we ordered 25 and the guys want the ability to keep them all. But what about predators? Is a mainly wired coop leaving open a bigger risk..but then we need the airflow...please help..if people in hot dry climates that get freaky MASSIVE rains coming through can show me what they have for a larger amount of chickens..I would really appreciate it.

 

[boilertrichick]

I'm new....but you may want to ask this in the AZ thread in the Where Are You forum. I would venture that most chickens are probably ok in our "winters". You may want to add some plastic sheeting or something to the sides to reduce a bit of the airflow during the colder season.

 

[GiddyMoon]

I did just post in the AZ thread to grab their attention..and yes, I agree with you...we are thinking maybe to have a couple of closeable awnings and maybe use a heavier tarp..in the summers it stays warm when it rains but sometimes those rains can be very violent.

 

[GiddyMoon]

Hoping AZ people will give input..believe me..I have looked for photos and info!

 

[Rte.66_chicks]

I am in Kingman, which is NW AZ. The temps here get to the hundredteens every summer and teens every winter. My coop is fully enclosed, with ventilation windows on the south face that is shaded in the hottest part of the summer. The two pop doors on the east and west allow regulation of ventilation for hot, cold, and the frequent 35-40 mph winds that we get. The run has a number of rather "rustic" (re-purposed anything I can find that will work) shades for the girls, and it is on the east side of our garage, so there is great shade in the afternoons. They free-range every afternoon which allows them to find shade & sun and usually damp, cool dirt for dust bathing in. They don't seem to suffer in any season.

Predators are another story. I live far enough in town that I don't get coyotes and bobcats, and have never lost any to hawks. (Knock on wood) If you are more rural, you will probably need to have a fully enclosed run. I just have a four-foot welded wire fence.

Keep us informed-maybe some pics of your setup!

 

[GiddyMoon]

Thank you for your help..do you have any pics I could look at? Someone posted their "garden coop" and I think that will work fairly well with a few tweaks..as you know, preparing for severe heat, severe rains, and severe winds..PLUS predators can be maddening. We are the northwest side..lots of people out here with acre lots or larger...we see coyote in the area, but never around here, too many dogs..but then, that makes the dogs the problem! LOL

 

[Rte.66_chicks]

I'l do my best and probably eventually figure out the photo upload. Please be patient. I'm technologically challenged.

Well, that didn't work. I've successfully uploaded them, now I need to figure out how to put them in my post.

This one is the south face of my coop. There are pop doors on the east and west that allow the gentle breezes (yeah, right!) to waft through.

I'm sorry they are so washed out. I haven't taken the time to figure out how to edit them.

 

[GiddyMoon]

Thank you very much for doing this for me..I really appreciate it!