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The Reality of Chicken Keeping in a HOT Desert Climate

Phoenix, Arizona, is a great example of what chicken keeping is like when temperatures soar to 115+ degrees. This is not an exaggeration, and to be perfectly honest, 120 degrees is certainly not unheard of. Chickens are pretty hardy as a rule, but they are not invincible. They need special care when temperatures rise, you can learn more about that in the article below.

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Now that the chickens are taken care of, let’s talk about you, your role in all this, and what you can expect your days to look like during the hottest months of the year. You might be thinking you can handle the job for just a few months of summer, but Phoenix is a lot different. From May through October, the heat is relentless, with June, July, and August being especially brutal.
That means you’re out in the heat too, and not just once or twice a day. If the water in the drinkers gets too hot, the chickens will avoid it, and that can be a death sentence, so it has to be refilled with cooler water throughout the day. This is why auto drinkers and nipple drinkers should NEVER be used in desert climates. Mist systems and fans need to be adjusted and managed, and diligent housekeeping is imperative because chicken droppings create even more heat. To be clear, diligent means every day.
There may be a chicken that needs medical attention, things break, and problems are inevitable. When something goes wrong, you need to be out in the heat dealing with it. That’s the reality. I’ve been doing this for 14 years, so for me, it’s worth it. The question is, is it worth it for you?

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A List of Insects Your Chickens Will Eat

Chickens Are Natural Exterminators!

Chickens are natural foragers and are often referred to as “feathered raptors” because of their enthusiastic appetite for insects. Most bugs are excellent sources of protein and minerals. Here are the favorites…

Common Garden Favorites

Grasshoppers and Crickets: High energy snacks.
Beetles: Most common garden beetles, including June bugs and Japanese beetles.
Caterpillars: Chickens will clear out many types of larvae, though they might avoid brightly colored species.

The “Soil Dwellers”

Earthworms: A staple of the chicken diet and a primary protein source.
Grubs: These are the larvae of beetles and are excellent for their fat and protein content.
Mealworms: Perhaps the most famous chicken treat. Whether live or dried, chickens find these irresistible.

Pests They Help Control

Ticks and Fleas: Chickens are remarkably efficient at “vacuuming” a yard for ticks.
Spiders: Most common house and garden spiders are eaten without hesitation.
Termites: If they find a colony, they will stay there until every last one is gone.

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The Ornamental Flock: 6 Breeds with Extraordinary Flair

If you are looking to add some flair to your flock, several ornamental and exotic breeds offer striking aesthetics while still being accessible through major hatcheries. Silkies are perhaps the most recognizable, famous for their fur like plumage, black skin, and five toes; they are modest layers of about 100 small, cream colored eggs per year. For a touch of elegance, the Silver Laced Polish features a dramatic crest of feathers and a V-shaped comb. These “fancy-feathered” birds produce approximately 150 medium sized white eggs annually, though their crests may require occasional trimming to help them see.
The Egyptian Fayoumi is an ancient, active breed known for its upright tail and silver and black penciled patterns. They are exceptionally hardy and provide roughly 150 small, off-white or tinted eggs each year. If you prefer a breed with a more “prehistoric” look, the Modern Game bird stands tall on long, elegant legs with tight, sleek feathers. While primarily kept for exhibition rather than utility, they lay about 50 to 80 small, tinted eggs per season.
For those who appreciate unique feather structures, the Frizzle has feathers that curl outward rather than laying flat, giving them a windswept appearance. Depending on the base breed, they typically lay 120 to 180 medium sized eggs in shades of light brown or white. Finally, the Phoenix chicken is a beautiful Japanese ornamental breed famous for its exceptionally long tail feathers. They are graceful birds that produce roughly 100 small, cream or tinted eggs per year.

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