Building a chicken coop may seem so simple at first. You already have an idea of what it will look like; now it’s just a matter of putting it together. But, if you’re anything like me, getting to the part where you put that chicken coop roof together can feel like a massive project. Especially […]
Read More… from 7 Best Chicken Coop Roof Ideas: Options and Roofing Materials
If you’re reading this, you’re likely almost finished with your chicken coop and run endeavor. Deciding on a chicken run roof was one of the final decisions I made in my building journey, and I had several questions about it. So, I’ve compiled these thoughts and little lessons into a quick guide, which I hope […]
Read More… from 6 Best Chicken Run Roof Ideas + (1 Bad Idea)
One good and no-fail snack we usually enjoy is bananas, but have you stopped and wondered if chickens eat bananas, too? If you’re looking for an additional go-to treat for your flock, let me answer you fair and straight: YES, chickens can eat bananas! But, as usual, there are a lot of important factors you […]
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 […]
Read More… from Can Chickens Eat Kiwi?—Everything You Need to Know
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 […]