Raising Chicks in Republic of Panama

[Grenadianexpat]

I'll third that, as a newbie. Both to Chicken rearing, and this forum, but living in Grenada in the tropics...

 

[Mahonri]

I imagine that raising chickens in the tropics is different from raising them in more temperate climbs. For those of us in the desert southwest we smile when we read of those who insulate their coops for warmth.... if we insulated, it would be to keep them cool in Arizona!

 

[nirakenna]

Would be most interested in establishing forum topic -- raising chickens in the tropics as some suggested. Biggest concern right now are tiny tiny what would seem to be ants. Don't want to use chemicals, but do want to get rid of.

 

[pdsavage]

Quote:
Tiny tiny ants around them or on them?could it be mites?
http://www.pekinbantams.com/chickenmites.php

 

[karimw]

Quote:
I lived in the Virgin Islands for a while as a kid. One thing I remember is how beautiful the chickens are! I probably have pictures some where....

 

[newchickgal]

How is everyone elses tropics chickens doing? Here in Panama (in the Azuero) we are getting rain the past few days, it's supposed to be going into our dry season, must be that climate change thing. My two girls will be a year old come Jan. 13th. They are doing really good and are laying every day. Just thought I'd drop a note in this thread and would like updates from others.

 

[prbloom]

We plan to retire to Panama in the Volcan area. Is it easy to raise chickens there? The climate isn't so warm as other places. I've never raised anything before. Is it pretty easy to buy grown chickens from the local farmers? I'd like some layers and later may try to raise some chicks. I've just begun to think about it and will be looking for some books to refer to. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[newchickgal]

It's really easy to have chickens in any part of Panama. One of the best places to get them is Melo's, they are all over Panama and have day old's all the time. You can buy them for next to nothing. We got six chicks when we started and gave away all but two when they got older. We only wanted to keep two for eggs. We live in a bit of a higher elevation in the Azuero and sometimes the temp drops to 72 and the chicks did fine. When I first got them I did keep a light bulb on in their cage during the night and covered the cage until morning. They did just fine and I didn't even loose one chick. Feel free to aks me questions.
Mary

 

[prbloom]

We plan to make our "due dilligence" trip in March to see how it really is to live there. We are looking around the Volcan area because Florida is an oven, to me, 8 mos. of the year. We'll move earlier than 2 years if we can...we'll see.

Those chicks sound really good. It will be cooler where we are looking for real estate, so I think a light bulb will be needed. How many watts for say 60 degrees at night? If they're one day old, do they need a brooder to look after them a little longer?

I've never done this before but all I read on these pages sounds interesting and fun.

 

[newchickgal]

I had mine in a brooder and covered part of it at night to help keep it warm with the help of a 15w bulb. Of course, make sure they can't bump into it or touch it.