Most chicken owners will encounter medical issues among their flock at some point. There are many signs and symptoms to watch for when it comes to a chicken’s health and wellness. An important part of a chicken’s anatomy, that often becomes an area to watch for illness, is the vent (a.k.a cloaca). It is common, […]
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The Pekin duck is among the most popular breeds kept in the United States, both in backyards and on homesteads across the country. Pekin ducks are a multi-purpose breed, meaning they have traditionally been raised for egg and meat production. The docile and sometimes affectionate nature of Pekin ducks has also earned them intense popularity […]
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They have gorgeous black plumage, a friendly disposition, and excellent maternal instincts, but the Black Silkie Chicken breed has so much to offer other than those characteristics. This chicken variety possesses several unique features, no wonder it’s highly-prized by poultry fanciers. But behind the glitz and glory of Black Silkies, do you ever wonder about: […]
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The Dominique is said to be America’s oldest chicken breed. It was brought to the United States by settlers and helped them to survive the brutal first years of colonization. They were used as a dual purpose hen and even their feathers were used to stuff pillows, truly a multi-purpose hen. Unlike our present-day hens, […]
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We often get asked how many roosters should be kept with a flock of hens. What’s the ratio of hens to roosters. Although this question is a moot point for folks who cannot keep roosters because of the city or byelaws, it is a valid question for those who want to keep a few roosters […]
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The Wyandotte is one of Americas’ favorite hens. Created in the North-Eastern US it is a firm favorite of many homesteaders for its reliability in producing eggs and meat. It has the distinction of being the first American breed specifically bred to be dual purpose. It is a beautifully marked heritage bird. Sadly, it fell […]
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Does your goat struggle to burp, look distressed, salivate and walk awkwardly? These could be signs of goat bloating. It’s a severe condition that can even take your goat’s life within hours if left untreated. But what is goat bloating, and why does it happen? Those questions were probably lingering in your head and brought […]
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Small but mighty quail are hardy little birds most of the time, but if you are new to raising quail, there are a few things you should watch for when it comes to their health. The following diseases, illnesses, and ailments are all reasonably common in quail breeds, keep a watchful eye on your birds […]
The Golden Laced Wyandotte is possibly one of America’s most beautiful and beloved chickens and one that is hard to mistake with its stunning plumage. It is a breed that was created in the fairly recent past by poultry farmers looking for a homegrown dual-purpose chicken. At the time there were few truly dual-purpose breeds […]
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These beautiful birds are under-represented in the backyard world of chickens. This is a great shame as they have many outstanding attributes for the small homesteader as we shall see. They are a fairly recent addition to chicken breeds, being ‘born’ less than one hundred years ago in the Netherlands. They are popular in the […]