Hi, I'm completely new to chickens but I already want more!

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EmeraldClutch

EmeraldClutch

Chirping
7 Years
6 Years
Sep 14, 2015
34
13
94
Arizona
I just inherited two beautiful hens and I already want more! My daughter even wants a rooster! I'm doing a lot of research, but I still need to know more! Like why do one of my hens feathers look more worn out than the others, and what kind of chickens are they and do I really need a roof on the whole chicken yard? I also want to know more about where to get specific breeds in my area. Can someone point me in the right direction?
 
welcome to byc. your chicken who's feathers look more worn out has not molted as recently as the other bird more likely then not. Just to be sure you should check it for feather mites but if the birds have been together they both would have them at this point. What kind they are you would need to post some pictures and i'm sure the byc community would gladly help with that. your yard if you are making a run you could put a roof on part of it to give them a shaded area and cover the rest with bird netting or hard ware cloth if you are worried about predators. the whole specific breads in your area question you can look up breeders or hatchery's near you. or just let us know what state you are in and the people of byc would be glad to help.
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Thank you!They have a shady tree that they are under, but I like the bird netting idea! I'm pretty sure I can rule out mites. I live near Phoenix Arizona so I'm worried about them getting too hot, but I would like to have some colorful egg layers.
 
Welcome to BYC - Peaches is a beauty. You may want to post on your state thread to discover how others help their chickens get through the heat waves. Some have open type coops which are mainly walls & roof of wired panels( 1/2" hardware cloth is best, to let in air flow. & keep predators out. Shade, shade and more shade is important, natural or man made. Some folks use water misters, cold fresh water often and shallow pans of water for chickens to stand in. Cool feet = cool bird.
 
EmeraldClutch said:
Would ice blocks be too cold?
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I give my chickens frozen fruit on hot days. I also give them ice water. Not sure about the ice blocks - they might get some cool amusement out of that. Welcome, by the way! As mentioned above, your state thread is a great way to meet people in the area and get ideas for anything you can possibly think of.
 
EmeraldClutch said:
Would ice blocks be too cold?
Click to expand...
Hi! Welcome!
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X2 on everything Drumstick Diva mentioned. It's HOT where I am. Ice blocks work very well. I keep a frozen ice cream bucket so I don't have to buy block ice. I use a frozen water bottle in the waterer to keep it cool all day. I lay frozen bottles and frozen gallon jugs on the floor for them to huddle up to. I offer a slice of cold cantaloupe or watermelon or frozen veggies at peak heat to cool them down. I also use a fan.
Peaches is gorgeous! Buff O? They are such sweet docile birds. My BO's are the first to show heat stress. They don't tolerate it well at all. If you are looking to add to your flock, Black Australorp and Deleware are both heat tolerant docile breeds, Good egg layers.
Here's a great Breed thread where you can click items on the left to search different breeds that may suit you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/chicken-breeds
Also, here is a forum where members discuss keeping their chickens cool
https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=battling+extreme+heat
Very best of luck to you!
 

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