Skilled suggestions from Encourage Farms (Mesa, Arizona)
I added chickens to my backyard in 2021 and have cherished the life, eggs, and free fertilizer they create. Alongside the way in which, I’ve realized a couple of classes (like how the best feeder can save each cash and feed), however I nonetheless flip to the specialists after I want strong recommendation.
Tiffiny and Encourage Farms are my go-to sources for every little thing associated to chickens: info, chicks, feed, and provides. Her sensible expertise and deep understanding of our desert local weather make her probably the most trusted native voices for brand spanking new rooster keepers.
That can assist you get began the best means, I requested Tiffiny from Encourage Farms in Mesa, Arizona to share her greatest recommendation for elevating a cheerful, wholesome flock in our desert local weather. From selecting breeds to holding coops cool, her steering will assist novices really feel assured from day one.
1. Selecting the Proper Chickens
For those who’re new to chickens, choosing the proper breed units the tone in your entire expertise.
In line with Tiffiny from Encourage Farms, Black Australorps are among the finest rooster breeds for novices.
“They’re pleasant, talkative, and genuinely appear to need to be your buddy,” she says. “They’re lovely birds and dependable egg-layers—many produce as much as 290 eggs a yr!”
For Arizona’s sizzling, dry local weather, each Black Australorps and White Leghorns are glorious decisions. “Australorps are hardy and adaptable, whereas Leghorns’ lighter our bodies and huge combs assist them keep cool,” Tiffiny explains.
Plan to start out with 3–6 hens. Chickens are flock animals and happiest with companions. Most yard keepers skip roosters altogether—hens will lay eggs simply positive with out one.
Skilled Tip: For those who do desire a rooster, goal for one rooster per ten hens to stop over-mating and stress.
2. Constructing the Coop
Your coop is your flock’s dwelling base—half fortress, half consolation zone. A very good design retains predators out and hens blissful year-round.
Predator-Proofing Necessities
Use {hardware} fabric, not rooster wire, to cowl each opening, and safe doorways with strong latches. Bury wire at the least 12 inches across the run to cease digging predators.
House Necessities
Coop: 2–4 sq. ft per chook
Run: 8–10 sq. ft per chook
More room = happier, more healthy hens.
Roosting
Your roost bar needs to be flat, not spherical. Chickens don’t perch like different birds—they relaxation with their ft flat. A flat roost lets them calm down and retains them wholesome. If the bar is spherical they usually must grip it, they’ll get exhausted, which might result in poor well being and fewer eggs.
Bedding and Cleansing
For Arizona’s dry circumstances, Tiffiny recommends straw as an alternative of pine shavings. Straw decomposes shortly and works fantastically with the deep litter methodology (including new straw on prime of previous bedding to compost naturally and management odor).
“With the deep litter methodology, the coop stays cleaner and smells higher. Simply maintain including recent straw to high-traffic areas and let nature do the remainder.”
Good air flow is simply as essential as bedding alternative. Set up vents close to the roofline and maintain home windows screened with {hardware} fabric for security and airflow.
Conserving Chickens Cool within the Arizona Warmth
Shade is important. Place the coop below timber at any time when attainable; artifical shade alone typically isn’t sufficient in our intense summer season warmth. For extra methods to maintain chickens cool in sizzling summers, learn this information.
Skilled Tip: “Set up a fan up excessive to drag sizzling air out of the coop,” Tiffiny suggests. “Airflow retains your flock comfy and productive.”
Winter Care
Arizona winters are gentle. Simply block drafts, maintain bedding dry, and skip the warmth lamps. Your flock’s pure feathers present loads of insulation.
Get the checklist of important provides for chicks and chickens on this information.
3. Feeding and Every day Care
Wholesome chickens begin with correct diet and recent water.
Feed by Life Stage
Chicks (0–12 weeks): Chick starter feed
Growers (12–20 weeks): Layer crumble
Adults (after laying begins): Pellet layer feed, much less waste, and simpler for chickens to search out if spilled
Calcium and Grit
Most layer feeds comprise sufficient calcium, however maintain a small dish of oyster shell or crushed limestone obtainable.
Chickens instinctively regulate their calcium consumption; they’ll take what they want once they want it.
Treats: The Good and the Dangerous
Secure: Vegetable scraps, mealworms, scratch grains (moderately)
Keep away from: Avocado, chocolate, onions, salty or greasy meals
The way to Spot a Wholesome Rooster
Guidelines:
Brilliant eyes and glossy feathers
Crimson combs and wattles
Energetic, curious conduct
Pale combs, droopy wings, or lethargy imply it’s time for a well being test.
Consistency is vital: common feeding, clear water, and remark maintain small issues from turning into massive ones.
4. Eggs and Expectations
Accumulate eggs each day. Recent eggs are the last word reward for rooster keepers, however figuring out what to anticipate helps keep away from frustration.
Most hens begin laying round 5–6 months previous, relying on breed and daytime. Egg manufacturing slows in excessive warmth or quick winter days. Chickens want about 14 hours of sunshine each day for constant laying. Supplemental lighting will help through the shortest days of the yr.
“Good feed, clear water, and a peaceful, safe surroundings are the very best egg-laying motivators.”
If eggs all of a sudden seem thin-shelled or tender, increase calcium and cut back stress. Occasional tender shells are regular; frequent ones sign an imbalance.
Frequent causes hens cease laying:
Warmth stress or lack of sunshine
Poor diet or low calcium
Stress from predators or flock modifications
Broodiness or age
5. Integrating Chickens with Your Residence and Backyard
Chickens convey life and character to a yard, however additionally they include quirks.
Noise, Mess, and Scent
Hens are usually quiet; roosters are the noisy ones. With good bedding, air flow, and common cleansing, odor is minimal and simple to handle.
Child-Pleasant Chickens
Black Australorps are particularly mild and excellent for households. “They’re calm, curious, and love consideration,” Tiffiny says. Chickens are additionally surprisingly sensible—they’ll acknowledge as much as 100 human faces and may even study their names! While you first convey them dwelling, give every rooster a reputation and use it typically. Supply your hand to them within the brooder, and as they become older (4 weeks and up), the extra you deal with them, the friendlier they’ll develop into. Basically, supervise interactions and train youngsters to maneuver slowly and provide treats by hand.
Supervised dealing with + treats = pleasant hens for all times.
Including to the Flock
When introducing new chickens, quarantine them for at the least two weeks. Begin introductions progressively with a see-but-don’t-touch divider. Merge flocks slowly to stop bullying or harm.
Conclusion
Elevating yard chickens is straightforward, enjoyable, and endlessly rewarding. With the best setup, feed, and care, your flock will present years of recent eggs, pest management, and leisure.
For those who’re in Arizona, cease by Encourage Farms in Mesa for native experience, chicks, feed, and provides. Their pleasant workforce will help you discover precisely what you—and your future flock—want.
In regards to the Skilled
Tiffiny is the proprietor of Encourage Farms, which is a community-focused city farm and feed retailer situated within the coronary heart of downtown Mesa, Arizona. They specialise in serving to new and skilled rooster homeowners succeed with wholesome feed, high quality provides, and hands-on recommendation. From chicks and coops to native honey, Encourage Farms connects folks with the enjoyment of small-scale farming and yard residing.
Be taught extra or plan a go to: inspirefarms.com
