Hello!

[janiedoe]

Good morning, and welcome to BYC. You can never be too punny, in my humble opinion.

 

[Desert chicken tender]

Hi to all! I've just joined (like in the last minute and a half lolz) although ive read articles on here several times in that few months. (Id like to apologize ahead of time, as with my excitement at starting a new hobby comes with hobby related jokes and puns ) I started some minor research into chicken keeping years ago, but abandoned it for other interests and requirements at that time. Now, im flying back in to the coop with head high and wings spread, to learn as much as i possibly can before i take to the sky. I live in whats essentially the desert southwest of the US (im literally in the town east of NM and we are the tail end of the desert that goes from SoCal to texas). Ive been doing some research on heat hardy breeds. I already have an idea of what i can do for warmth in the winter (youd think being born and raised in this same town that i would know how to combat heat, but it turns out im not exactly heat tolerant lolz, i actually prefer the cold). Any and all suggestions for breeds are welcome, my biggest concern for my feathered friends is the drastic changes we can go through not just in a 24-hr period but from minute to minute (example: about 8 years ago march-april, cant remember the exact date but it was officially spring, we started out a day at high 80s into 90s and through the day we had sunshine, wind, rain, hail, tornados, and finally snow {yes you read that right, snow} we awoke the next morning to 6-12 inches of snow and it was still coming down. My dog, my daughter and i all quite enjoyed the snow lolz). So just from that example you can see that we occasionally get severely drastic changes in weather and this is what im most worried about with my feathered friends as its not always something i can plan for (though, i try to be prepared for anything and everything possible) so any tips, tricks, and advice in this area are welcome also.

Good morning and welcome. Freshly hatched NM member here, situated on the mesa west of the Organ mountains. I am also very new at looking after chickens(3 Orpingtons, now six weeks), and learning as I go. This is a great online community, full of information and helpful people. Good luck building up your new flock.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.

 

[Kelby675]

Hello @Kelby675 and welcome to BYC!

Sounds like you are on the Texas, New Mexico border? I am in the South Central Mountains of New Mexico! Yes, NM gets it all weather wise. I have had good luck with Black Australorps and Plymouth Barred Rocks. Both are tolerant to frigid temps below zero and temps over 90. Hardy healthy breeds as well. Super friendly if you work with them as chicks holding them a lot. For dealing with heat, a big turbo fan is your friend in the run. They will all line right up in front of the hurricane wind, feathers flying! Make sure you cut in lots of venting in the eaves of the coop for the heat to escape. Keep another fan pointed at the ceiling to push out the hot air. Keep your roosts lower to the floor where the cooler air is. Outside, lots of shade and places to dust bathe. Inside, ice cubes in the water fonts, watermelon treats, pans of water to stand in. You can freeze soda bottles with water and they will lay next to them.

If you have any specific questions about anything along the way, be sure to ask.

Welcome to our community!

Omg your not far from me at all!!! Yes, im in the caprock area! So pretty much all the things ive done for myself and my dogs and cats when our AC went out a few summers ago! I was looking at the plymouth rocks and Australorps! Im in the city and can only have 6 hens (what they dont know wont hurt them lolz)

 

[Kelby675]

Good morning and welcome. Freshly hatched NM member here, situated on the mesa west of the Organ mountains. I am also very new at looking after chickens(3 Orpingtons, now six weeks), and learning as I go. This is a great online community, full of information and helpful people. Good luck building up your new flock.

Hehe freshly hatched! I love it! Im glad i finally decided to join! I wish you luck and learning in your already started journey!