Re: Chickens in the desert?

From: Flatspin (my_other_mail_at_cox.net)
Date: 09/11/04 

Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 14:12:13 -0700

Thanks to everyone for the advice, I like the idea of ducks even more
than chickens. I am a total newbie and was under the mistaken
impression that locating birds versus eggs would be easy. I thought I
could build a henhouse, drop in a few hens, add the food, water and
misters and have at it.

Obviously I was wrong. Bearing my complete lack of experience and new
preference for ducks, can anyone point me toward some place I can get
more edumicated. I don't want to kill my little garden helpers on day
one. Better to ask the questions ahead of time I believe.

Since I'm in a suburban area, excessive quacking will likely be frowned
upon. What is a good variety of low quack duck for an inexperienced
person who is looking for assistance in the garden and eggs (Idn't thar
one I kin just plug in?)

I know you're all rolling you eyes (oh lord, not another one of these
morons) or climbing back in your chairs after falling out laughinbg, but
I'm admitting ignorance and asking for help and advice.

laurie (Mother Mastiff) wrote:

> Hi Shawn,
>
> I think there are more UK people on the list than other nationalities, and
> they might not have a LOT of deserts to rely on for experience. <bg> I
> spent
> August in the UK one year and felt so chronically damp, I got fungus between
> my toes!
>
> I have good friends who live in Phoenix and other desert areas, and they
> raise chickens very successfully, in fact I sort of envy them their better
> environment. I am surprised Vicki or Roz didn't see your post and answer.
>
> I also have a friend, Jim Monk, in Artesia NM, whose business is actually
> named Desert Poultry. He cares a lot about his birds, is knowledgeable, and
> focuses on producing quality birds. He might be a good help to you.
>
> Birds that are raised in an environment are better adapted to it than birds
> that were raised in a different climate (or different elevation). Also, I
> learned this year that commercial hatcheries leave chicks in the incubator
> for 24 hours after hatching to make them heat resistant as adults.
> Something about their being at 99.5 F gets them off to a good start to be
> resistant.
>
> Most summers we have about 10-15 days around 100 or a bit over, here in NC.
> However, we have HUMID heat, which is much less pleasant and harder to
> breathe in, than dry heat like you have. So when it is "only" 90 here, it is
> utterly miserable, whereas I have been comfortable in the desert at higher
> temps than that, simply because it is drier.
>
> The birds MUST have shade available at all parts of the day, so they can
> self-regulate body temperature by moving in and out of sun and shade. (Of
> course, they need water at all times also, I use a 32-gallon trash can with
> plastic tubing and low-pressure cups, so my birds can get a drink any time,
> but if a cup gets dirty or jammed, the water source won't flood the chicken
> house or run my well dry.)
>
> Vicki says that on the really hot days, a misting system or swamp cooler
> works well to cool the air near the birds. She's in the air conditioning
> business, so she should know!
>
> You might contact Jim for advice, BTW, he has a lot of ducks, and ducks are
> easier on a garden than chickens, my hens can eat grass to the ground in
> nothing flat, and they eat just about everything!!! I hear ducks leave more
> plants alone than chickens do. Why not get some of both if you have the
> space for them?
>
> You could tell Jim that Laurie referred you to him for advice. I have eggs
> in the incubator for him right now, becausethe desert stays warm later into
> the year, so late chicks should be OK for the desert.
> desertpoultry@hotmail.com
>
> Good luck! Please let the list know what you find out and what you decide
> to get!
> laurie (Mother Mastiff)
>
> "Flatspin" <my_other_mail@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:MEE%c.124316$4o.15959@fed1read01...
>
>>Hello all,
>>
>>I am brand new to the group, came here on the advice of a gardening
>>group this morning.
>>
>>I would like to add 2 or 3 pullets to my yard for garden patrol. I get
>>crickets, tomato hornworms, white flies and spider mites and hope that a
>>few hens could assist with insect control. I'd also love the fresh
>>eggs. I grew up with Mallards and eating fresh duck eggs.
>>
>>My garden is 9'x60' attached to but fenced off from a 20'x60'yard. I
>>have a half used rosebed that I can build a coop in and put chicken wire
>>up along. I say the rosebed is only half used as the lemon tree shades
>>the other half so heavily, roses really struggle to stay alive in the
>
> shade.
>
>>I live in Mesa, AZ so must have something that can handle the heat, as
>>high as 115F in the summer. We get relatively mild winters with only
>>about two weeks with night temps around freezing. My tomatos, peppers
>>and basil often continue producing right through our version of winter
>>it's so mild.
>>
>>Any advice/warnings on variety of bird, hen house design, etc
>>appreciated. If anyone knows a good source in the Phoenix area, please
>>speak up.
>>
>>Shawn
>>Mesa, AZ
>
>
>
> "Flatspin" <my_other_mail@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:MEE%c.124316$4o.15959@fed1read01...
>
>>Hello all,
>>
>>I am brand new to the group, came here on the advice of a gardening
>>group this morning.
>>
>>I would like to add 2 or 3 pullets to my yard for garden patrol. I get
>>crickets, tomato hornworms, white flies and spider mites and hope that a
>>few hens could assist with insect control. I'd also love the fresh
>>eggs. I grew up with Mallards and eating fresh duck eggs.
>>
>>My garden is 9'x60' attached to but fenced off from a 20'x60'yard. I
>>have a half used rosebed that I can build a coop in and put chicken wire
>>up along. I say the rosebed is only half used as the lemon tree shades
>>the other half so heavily, roses really struggle to stay alive in the
>
> shade.
>
>>I live in Mesa, AZ so must have something that can handle the heat, as
>>high as 115F in the summer. We get relatively mild winters with only
>>about two weeks with night temps around freezing. My tomatos, peppers
>>and basil often continue producing right through our version of winter
>>it's so mild.
>>
>>Any advice/warnings on variety of bird, hen house design, etc
>>appreciated. If anyone knows a good source in the Phoenix area, please
>>speak up.
>>
>>Shawn
>>Mesa, AZ
>
>
>

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