Looking for a duck breed that looks similar to Mallard ducks but provides more meat and eggs for your family’s consumption? If yes, the Silver Appleyard may be the one for you! This dual-purpose breed may be rare and less popular in the poultry industry, but they’re a breed prized for its beauty, personality, and […]
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Have you ever walked into a coop and been greeted with a duck bite? If yes, you may wonder, “why do ducks bite you” when they used to be gentle birds? In this article, we will discuss: Why do ducks bite, and what happens when they attack you How painful is a duck bite, and […]
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Have you ever met a bird who just seems to love people more than other birds? It’s not uncommon for certain species of birds to form close bonds with their human caregivers. These are called “one-person birds,” and they typically develop deep attachments to a single person. Let’s take a closer look. What is a […]
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 […]
Sand in your chicken coop is a good question. Most folks use conventional bedding materials in the coop and run. Spreading straw, hay, or similar over the floors and in the nest boxes. Some people, however, use sand as a flooring material. This prompted us to look at the positives and negatives of using sand as a […]
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