Marek’s disease is an insidious ailment that catches many keepers by surprise. Its effect on your flock can be devastating. Many keepers are lucky to go a lifetime and never see this disease, even though it is widespread. To find out if it is endemic in your area, call your local extension office; they should […]
NOTE: This is the first of a two-part series on chicken parasites. This article will focus on external parasites, and the second part of the series will focus on internal parasites. Recently we’ve talked about how to keep your chickens safe from predators, but sometimes the worst enemies are already living in the coop! Chickens […]
How to feed your chickens might not be something that you pay too much attention to, but did you know that seventy percent of the cost of raising chickens goes toward feed? Therefore it stands to reason that you need to pay attention to what you feed your birds. No one chicken is the same as each […]
Offering a variety of fruits to our backyard flock is fun and rewarding because of their nutritional value, but what about kiwis? Can chickens eat kiwi? This emerald-green goodness wrapped in fuzzy brown skin may not be the most mouth-watering treat for birds, but they have a lot to offer. So, in this article, we’ll […]
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Have you ever had a chicken go “broody?” Broodiness is a natural, maternal instinct that causes a hen to want to sit on a clutch of eggs to hatch them. This motherly desire is triggered by the temperature, humidity, and length of the day, and can happen at any time during the laying cycle. Let’s […]
If you live in a hot or humid part of the country, it’s wise to look into chicken breeds that will feel comfortable in your climate. It can be a bit overwhelming and confusing to start, so I’m going to break down how to pick out chickens that will thrive in your area, keep them […]
When chickens have an extra toe, five instead of four, this is called polydactyl. Unlike humans (and nearly every other animal on earth with toes), the bones in the ankle are not considered part of their feet and toes. Chickens don’t have a fully formed calcaneum. For humans, the calcaneum is the bone that makes […]
Are you wondering if it’s safe to feed your chicken a bit of peanut butter? Whether you want to take a spoonful of peanut butter out to your favorite hen as a treat or toss out unfinished peanut butter and jelly sandwich to the flock, we’ve got the answer to help you keep your feathered […]
Chicken sneezes used to be one of my all-time favorite sounds on the homestead. It was right up there with the babbling artisanal spring, gentle breezes rustling through our giant western cedars, and the sound of my content mare munching on her alfalfa. Chicken sneezes aren’t particularly pleasant or rustically romantic to hear. Still, they’re […]
So you’ve finished your masterpiece of a chicken coop, but now you’re wondering about chicken coop doors, where to put them, and how to make them work. I will cover where to put the door, a few coop door secrets that will make it easier to keep your henhouse clean, how to build a small […]