New Mexico

[FridayYet]

X2 on the zoning. Some developments you can have horses, but not chickens. Go figure.

Just know your coop will need to be very secure and you'll get snow in the wintertime. Santa Fe is at 7000 feet in elevation, so quite a different climate than you have now, ashums.

I love New Mexico, hope you do too!

 

[Sunny Windsong]

Hi everyone
I will be soon moving from Florida to Santa Fe. I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips for my coop. The environment here in Florida is much different and I also live in a very Urban setting. I am mostly concerned about predators. Thanks for the advice!

Definitely going to want to double predator-proof your coop. Bury an extra 18inches of hardware cloth into the perimeter of your coop and run. I say hardware cloth, because chicken wire is not bear or hawk proof. And we have very cold winters with snow, so research winter-hearty breeds, i.e.: buff orpingtons, australorps, and Plymouth rocks. And make sure you insulate your hen house well.
And welcome to New Mexico!

 

[Garden Peas]

There are also hawks and raccoons here, just like in Florida. Raccoons can climb and are very skilled at reaching through wire to grab an unsuspecting bird -- even one on a perch up off the ground -- so you need to include them in your predator planning. I've seen hawks sitting on top of my bird pens over the years...

You'll be able to plan more thoroughly once you know where exactly you are going to live.

Good luck with your move!

 

[Whoops]

Hello everyone

I had a question I would like to ask. One of my hens has gone broody. I didn't believe her and took the eggs away, but she was determined, and I hadn't the heart to take them away again, so she has been sitting for two weeks. I put another next box in the coop, and the other hens have been using that one, but, should I move her out of the coop? At this point, should I just wait to see if anything hatches in a week, and then move her?

 

[Jemezhens]

Well it depends on when you took away her first clutch, I have found that they can take several days laying a clutch before they "set" them. So if you want her to go through the whole hatch process, it might be an extra 2 weeks of her being on the nest. Also, her breed and age might play a role in her "biological imperative". I've had hens that I just can't keep off of the nest and others that get bored after 10 days. Good luck!

 

[abqferreira]

Hi, all! I live in Albuquerque and have 15 2 week old chicks from McMurray. I've had hens for about ten years now, but sold my flock last summer and just replaced them. Very happy to rejoin the world of chicken owners!

 

[Peep_Show]

Welcome to our flock!

What kind of chicks?

 

[FridayYet]

Hi, all! I live in Albuquerque and have 15 2 week old chicks from McMurray. I've had hens for about ten years now, but sold my flock last summer and just replaced them. Very happy to rejoin the world of chicken owners!

Congratulations on your new chickens!

 

[abqferreira]

I have 2 White Leghorns, 3 Red Stars, 6 Americaunas, and 6 Whiting True Blue. My free exotic chick was a cute little White Crested Black Polish, but he didn't make it. Looking forward to a colorful egg basket!

Funny story that only New Mexicans will understand... this morning I heard an odd, loud, creaking sound outside. Found a roadrunner perched on my fence next to the rabbit hutch where the chicks are living! I think he was mad that I had enclosed his breakfast where he couldn't get to them, he sounded cranky for sure. Luckily my pup ran outside and chased him off just then, she is learning to protect her babies!

 

[Peep_Show]

Roadrunners are little opportunistic velociraptors! When watering I've looked over my shoulder and they're standing close-by watching to see what lizards I scare out of the shrubbery and onto the walls.